Entropy – Why God, the Universe, and Pain Exist

Entropy is a law of thermodynamics.  I am not a physicist, and for certain the law goes into depths of molecular complexity that could easily make one’s head swim.  Like most things True, however, the concept is actually so relatively simple at its basis that it can readily be taught to a child.  The basic concept is that without a continual constructive input, functions of energy will digress into confusion, and eventually fall apart.

Like gravity, the law of entropy is certain – it is no theory, but a continually tested, continually proven law.  Without consistent input into any operation of energy, that operation will digress, corrode, fail.

An interesting thing about this law, is that it is not merely a law pertaining to thermodynamics, it applies to everything in the universe from physicals to social activities, and politics.

If you can follow the technical definition above, you will see that entropy often applies in areas that are unpredictable.  With any experiments of physics, entropy may come into play when least expected, and completely throw off the predicted outcome of that experiment.  It is ‘the ghost in the machine,’ so to speak.

If an experiment is to work properly, input needs to be given where entropy is at play, or the entire experiment will collapse into chaos and fail.

A brief tangible example would be the start of a small business – if someone starts a business, invests time, energy, and money into that business the end result should be profit (of course there are a number of other variables to a successful business than the energy put in, but supposing all other elements are working appropriately, that is the desired end goal.)  Should that person cease to put time, energy, and money into that business, then no matter how self-sustaining the business may seem to be, it will decline into a state of unprofitability: entropy.  How does one recover that now failing business?  By once again putting a great deal of time, energy, and money into it – if it has not completely fallen apart, it may be recovered by adding energy to the failing system.

Believe it or not, the law of entropy is valid proof of the existence of God.  This is a statement at which I may lose many avowed atheists, but from an intellectual perspective, the existence of such a law, which (as mentioned) is universal to all systems from the molecular level to the socio-economic, political, and universal degrees is an evident proof that: even if the universe were perfectly formed, and was flawlessly calculated, it would gradually collapse into complete decay on every systematic level, and in each and every particular system UNLESS a consistent input of tangible energy was being consistently added to every system, and the universal whole.  Evolution?  You mean that growth, development and positive life-projection could be made without the intelligent, intentional intervention of some form of productive energy?  Impossible.  Nature would have to fight an uphill battle against the ghost in the machine: entropy.  No, things degrade on their own, they do not rejuvenate.

I don’t really intend to go into the science of apologetics, nor onto a macro-cosmic level of thought.  Actually I’ve intended to form this basis of thought (as much as it applies to the fact that I should be more consistent in contributing energy to this blog :)) as a basis of understanding God’s work in the world.

The Universe is a Prophecy

You see, the Lord has set up a divine mechanism – the basis of my own worldview is that the universe, itself, is a prophecy.  That might require as much or more ground-laying in thought as that of entropy I began with, but et me briefly explain it so that we can see the two thoughts each in the light of the other:

God SPOKE all things into existence.  Jesus Christ is the Word of God – the bible declares that all things were made BY Him, and FOR Him, and that IN HIM [God’s Word] ALL THINGS CONSIST (Col 1:16 & 17).

Indeed, as it is written:

Ps 19:1-4
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. …

The universe is a message from God to mankind – a prophecy.  ‘For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.’  (Rom 1:20)

Yes, God made all things – and that, itself, is a declaration from God that He desires a relationship with man.  All mankind can seek for the creator of this universe, and find Him; His speech (the universe, itself) calls to us all and yearns to be heard and understood for what it is.

Now; I believe these are both very simple thoughts (entropy, and the prophecy of creation), though each can be harvested for immense depth.  Yet what do they mean, each in light of the other?

Without going into further theology (the fall of man into sin, and the universe’s degradation, thereby), I will simply stick for the moment of this message God has declared to us in the LAW of entropy.

Deterioration occurs automatically.  God intervenes, and adds energy consistently to this decaying system.  If you study history, you will see clearly that the societies, nations, and empires grow and increase as energy is put into them.  In the political, this is often due to political and military ambition which becomes the energy input, the driving force of society.  When a campaign is waged and great gains are made: growth.  But once the vision for that campaign, or set of ideals perishes, another input of energy must be found.  How long can patriotism keep a nation strong?  How quickly can wide-spread depression ruin one?

God is involved in the universe, itself.  He is, therefore, involved in what we may call the ‘secular’ level.  Without the input of energy all would collapse, but take heart!  In Him all things consist!  Beyond that level – God is involved more specifically with all those who have sought Him out, and called upon His name: the church.  Those with whom He is in relationship.

Many of us struggle with difficulties, hard things, pain, depression.  Guess what??  That is the working of entropy.  I was going to take a look at the book of Job here… but perhaps that will be for another post.  One principal I will derive from that excellent book, however is that there MUST be an intervention from God if we expect anything Truly Good to take place in our lives.

Elihu was the one counselor of Job who was a True prophet.  All his other counselors were carnal accusers quote ‘without knowledge’ (ignorant).  Elihu, alone justified both God, and Job (understanding his speech is the key to understanding the entire book of Job).

One of the things Elihu said:

‘By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.

But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night …?’  (Job 35:9-10)

Now that is lofty literature, but let me feebly interpret this thought of Elihu’s into a more reachable nugget:

In the above passage, Elihu is speaking of all mankind.  He says: ‘By reason of the multitude of oppressions … they cry out.  …But none sayeth, Where is God my maker…?’

I’ll package his statement in this way: ‘Why is it that we blame God over our difficulties instead of crying out to Him, who ‘giveth songs in the night’?  Why is our first reaction in difficulties to cry out ‘INJUSTICE!’, rather than to SEEK our maker?

Here Elihu declares a Truth that is later revealed in the New Testament (as he does in many other statements of his speech); Romans 3:11 ‘There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.’

I may continue with this thought later – but here I will end with this thought.  Are you struggling?  Has difficulty befallen you?  We have two responses to this deterioration.  We can submit to it, and let it ruin us, or we can seek out our maker, and trust Him to help us.  Entropy is not for the purpose of our destruction – it is so that we can seek the One who Energizes all things, and LIVE.

Keep up the good fight, brothers and sisters.  God is with those who call on Him.