1. String Theory, Heraclitus, and John
In the opening chapter of Genesis, the only information we’re given about the creation of our universe is that, “God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” And God continued to say this and that until everything existed that needed to be. 1
So Genesis says God spoke our universe into existence.
Theoretical physicists call that moment “the big bang.”
These same theoretical physicists – since the spring of 1995 – have been fascinated with a version of string theory called M-theory.
Stephen Hawking says, “M-theory is the only candidate for a complete theory of the universe.” 2
Michio Kaku believes M-theory to be, “so concise that its underlying formula would fit on a T-shirt.” 3
In essence, M-theory tells us that time is made of tiny loops of 6-dimensional energy vibrating at a specific frequency, and space is made of tiny loops of 6-dimensional energy vibrating at a specific frequency. Likewise, gravity and energy and matter and light are made of similar loops of energy vibrating at their own, specific frequencies.
In other words, everything is made of vibrating bits of energy; space, time, energy, matter, gravity, light, everything.
According to string theorist Brian Greene, these loops of energy are so small that if an atom were enlarged to the size of our solar system – with the sun as the nucleus and Pluto as the nearest orbiting electron – a single loop of energy would be the size of a small tree. He calls our universe “a silent symphony of string.” 4
So if Hawking, Kaku, Greene and the other string theorists are correct, it makes perfect sense to see our space-time continuum as the continuing echo of the voice of God.
Or at least it does to me.
1Genesis 1:3-31
2Hawking, Stephen (2010). The Grand Design. Bantam Books. ISBN 055338466X.
3Kaku, M. “M-Theory: The Mother of all SuperStrings”. Retrieved 2013-08-06.
4The Elegant Universe – A Three-Hour miniseries with Brian Greene by NOVA (original PBS Broadcast Dates: October 28, 8-10 p.m. and November 4, 8-9 p.m., 2003). Various images, texts, videos and animations explaining string theory and M-theory.
2. Heraclitus and Wizard Academy
Heraclitus was a Greek philosopher of Ephesus (near modern Kuşadası, Turkey) who was active around 500 BC.
He is best known for his doctrine of the logos [a Greek word meaning “word.”] Heraclitus stressed that the logos was not his own invention, but a timeless truth available to any who would pay attention to the world around them.
He said, “Having harkened not to me but to the Word (Logos) it is wise to agree that all things are one.”
The blindness of humans is another of Heraclitus’ main themes. In fact, he announces it at the beginning of his book.
“Although this Logos is eternally valid, yet men are unable to understand it – not only before hearing it, but even after they have heard it for the first time…though all things come to pass in accordance with this Logos, men seem to be quite without any experience of it…My own method is to distinguish each thing according to its nature, and to specify how it behaves; other men, on the contrary, are as forgetful and heedless in their waking moments of what is going on around and within them as they are during sleep.”
My attention was drawn to Heraclitus when I realized that many of the communication techniques we teach in the Magical Worlds Communications Workshop at Wizard Academy are ideas originally taught 2,500 years ago by Heraclitus of Ephesus.
Among these are the belief that things are constantly changing (universal flux), that opposites coincide (duality,) and that fire (energy) is the basic material of the universe. (Wait a second… did Heraclitus glimpse M-theory 2,500 years ago?)
In the United States, Heraclitus is rarely remembered for his statements about the logos, but one of his examples of universal flux remains popular, “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.”
In the culture of ancient Ephesus, Heraclitus was an icon in much the same way that Christopher Columbus, George Washington, and Albert Einstein are icons in America today.
3. The Gospel [Good News] of John
Were you aware that John was the only one of the twelve ‘first followers’ of Jesus that was present at the cross?
We are told of seven things Jesus said from the cross.* The third of these seven was when he looked at his mother, Mary, standing next to John and said, “Woman, behold your son.” Then he looked at John and said, “Son, behold your mother.” Thus, he entrusted the care of Mary into the hands of his friend, John.
Church history tells us that Mary and John lived in Ephesus until the end of her life.
John knew that you can’t take people where you want them to go, until you meet them where they are.
These are the first 14 verses of the Gospel of John:
In the beginning was the Word [John uses the word logos here and throughout the chapter, as his Gospel was originally written in Greek.] and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him [the logos ] all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. [Speaking not of himself, but of John the Baptizer.] He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. [Having already proclaimed Jesus to be the Logos of God, he continues to speak to the Ephesians by reframing the teachings of Heraclitus; namely, that humans are blind.] He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
The Word [logos] became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Thus, John told the people of Ephesus that Jesus was the Logos spoken of by Heraclitus 500 years earlier, as well as the Living Word that went out from God when he spoke this universe into existence in the first chapter of Genesis, a book written at least 1,000 years before Heraclitus was born. – Roy H. Williams
* 1. Luke 23:34: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
2. Luke 23:43: Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.
3. John 19:26–27: Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother
4. Matthew 27:46 & Mark 15:34 My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?
5. John 19:28: I thirst.
6. John 19:30: It is finished. (From “Tetelestai” which can also be “It is accomplished”, or “It is complete”.)
7. Luke 23:46: Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.