The End – or Beginning – of All Things
In The Singularity is Near, futurist and scientist Raymond Kurzweil discusses technology, the evolution of human society, and where our current exponential rise of knowledge and technology might ultimately lead us as a civilization. Eventually, he pontificates, the consciousness of humankind could actually expand to fill the entire universe. I think he may be onto something.
We have learned that matter and consciousness co-create one another. Matter itself is permeated by consciousness and intentionality, so it only makes sense that as we learn more about that matter/mind connection it will lead to humanity having greater influence and control over the very behavior of matter. Many may interpret this as new age thinking, and it just might be, but we Christians just have to admit that these new age philosophers have some measure of truth.
As evangelicals, we are typically consumed with defending the truth of God against anything that even slightly deviates from our thick books of systematic theology. In doing so, however, I believe we sometimes cut off legitimate avenues of revelation about God’s world and His very character. For example, the Buddhists can teach us something about pursuing peace. We can challenge their methodology, and we should, but when a Buddhist monk wants to talk to me about the value of an intentional pursuit of a peaceful lifestyle, and how to design my home and my surroundings accordingly, then I will listen. It’s precisely the same as asking my mechanic about pursuing good health for my car. Whether he’s a Christian or not does not dictate the value of his advice. In the end, it’s my responsibility to filter out the good.
It’s not so difficult to juxtapose Kurzweil’s vision of ultimate reality against that of the BIble. In the end, the Bible teaches us, God will create new heavens and a new earth. The universe is already filled with His glory. We will no longer be limited by space or time, by the limitations of our physical bodies, or by our brain’s puny view of reality. The vast reaches of space will mean nothing to a spirit that has shed its physical chains. But why should we wait until then?
Jesus Himself, teaching us to pray, says we ought to expect life to be “on earth as it is in heaven.” In heaven, there are no physical limits to knowledge, experience, time or space. Consider whether there is really any meaningful difference between these following statements:
“Our consciousness will fill the universe.”
“Time and distance will be meaningless.”
Einstein proved that time and space are interchangeable. That’s nothing more than an expression of that invisible realm that God inhabits. Time, space, distance, dimensions – these are all simply crutches that we have developed to help us make sense of this universe we inhabit, according to our extremely limited perspective. The day will come when we shall see clearly (1 Corinthians 13:12). Our consciousness will indeed fill the universe. This I can say with certainty. My proof?
1. Matter depends upon consciousness for its existence. This is proven by science.
2. This consciousness is God’s consciousness according to Colossians 1:16-17: “All things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” In other words, the forces that hold all things in the universe together (in scientific terms, the “strong nuclear force,” one of the four fundamental forces of nature) is Jesus Christ Himself. His consciousness penetrates all of physical reality.
3. As Christians, possessing the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16), this Christ consciousness is also ours.
4. Therefore, our consciousness, along with that of Almighty God, permeates (or will permeate) the entire universe.
Why is this important to us as Christians? Because God is on the move. He is calling His children into a much deeper relationship and, therefore, a deeper realization of all that He knows and loves. Along with this new knowledge that He is releasing into His Church will come a responsibility on our part to step up to the plate. He wants us to know things so that we will influence the discovery going on around us. And this means discovery in all aspects of human society, including science, music, theater, movies, the arts at large, industry, homemaking, child-rearing, gardening, plumbing, everything. There is not a single corner of human life, thinking or society that is safe from the glory of our creative God. As we pursue all these things on planet earth, God’s glory will more and more permeate all of existence.
I hope Kurzweil is right. To see the glory of the entire universe filled with God’s consciousness will be an experience that words simply cannot express. I guess that’s the essence of His promise that He can “do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).