Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 36:1 (Mar 1993)
Article: Physics In The Theological Seminary
Author: Michael J. Bozack

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JETS 36:1 (March 1993) p. 65

Physics In The Theological Seminary

Michael J. Bozack*

The Trinity and the hypostatic union are among the most difficult doctrines in systematic theology. The difficulties originate from several sources: The doctrines are distinctive of theology, they are a mystery beyond human comprehension, adequate methodology to study them is lacking, and no effective analogies have existed for comparison.

A renewed study combining physics and theology shows that it is possible to identify effective and thought-provoking analogies to the Trinity and the hypostatic union. In this paper I explore the relationship between (1) the triple point and the Trinity, and (2) complementarity and the hypostatic union. Awareness of such similarities has value for both physicists and theologians. For the physicist, the existence of analogy with theology is intellectually satisfying and shows that physics can be useful in a wholly diverse area of inquiry. For the theologian, the use of analogy stimulates new perspectives and provides an epistemic counterpart from which to view complicated points of theology.

I. Analogical Reasoning Defined

Considered as a noun, analogy may be defined as a point-by-point comparison of one thing to another. Considered as a verb, it may be defined as a form of inference where it is reasoned that if two things correspond in one or more respects, they will likely correspond in other respects. To quote Barbour:

Analogy is the extension of patterns of relationship drawn from one area of experience to coordinate other types of experience… An analogy is never a total identity or a comprehensive description, but only a simplified comparison of limited aspects.1

It is in this sense that I view analogy. Common examples abound in physics. Perhaps the most familiar is the water-flow analogy to electric current in a wire. Familiarity with flowing water enables one to better understand the behavior of electrons in a circuit, behavior that is difficult to visualize without the aid of analogy.

* Michael Bozack is assistant professor of physics at Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849–5311.

JETS 36:1 (March 1993) p. 66

II. The Triple Point And The Trinity

The triple point2 is defined as the point where the solid, liquid, and gaseous forms of a substance coexist in a state of dynamic equilibrium. The important considerations are that three states of matter coexist, the equilibrium is dynamic, and the phases have distinct properties despite being one and the same substance.

The three states of matter (solid, liquid, ga...

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