Pretend for a moment that this reality is a simulation akin to the popular video game, The Sims. You are similar to a “sim” in that you are constantly observed, judged and possibly even controlled by unseen forces.
Some of the world’s leading philosophers and physicists like Nick Bostrom and Elon Musk believe this is exactly what our reality is. What they probably don’t know is that they are simultaneously supporting part of the worldview of Christianity.
Ideological Overlaps
Christians believe God is an unseen, omniscient presence that watches and judges His human creations. Christians also believe God intervenes in human affairs when necessary. Such intervention is performed through miracles and subtle means that require prayer and faith to fully understand.
Consider for a moment that the entity Christians refer to as “God” is a master computer programmer who has programmed our reality to look and function as it currently does. This all-powerful entity programmed the laws of physics, created the human body for spirits to occupy and designed our beautiful environment along with the solar system.
Is this really any different from the Christian perception of God? The answer is a resounding “no”.
In fact, the simulation theory and the Christian perspective are quite similar. What does it matter if we are occupying a reality that exists within a highly complex computer? Would you treat this existence any differently if you found out that an all-powerful, all-knowing entity programmed our reality? Probably not.
Expanding the Christian Worldview
If you dig deep into the simulation theory argument, you will find that a growing number of physicists genuinely believe it is more likely that we are living in a simulation rather than “base reality”.
Base reality is a term used to describe the first-ever plane of existence. Consider the research performed by theoretical physicist and University of Maryland professor of physics, James Gates. In one presentation, Gates reveals how mathematician Claude Shannon determined our reality is actually composed of binary code. Shannon claims to have broken down matter into its smallest parts whereupon it exists as 1s and 0s, similar to binary code used to program computer software.
If it is proven that we exist within a simulation or some sort of computer program, we can only assume this program operates at the will of its creator.
A Look Toward the Future
Physicists and geneticists might eventually solve the mystery of our existence. Perhaps a hidden message will soon be discovered in the human DNA genome that reveals the true nature of our shared reality. Christians should embrace any such breakthroughs that lend credence to the simulation theory.
After all, those who have lived according to God’s teachings would certainly be happy to find out he has been watching this entire time.
The moral Christians can take from simulation theory should not be shrugged off as the pipe dream of ivory tower academicians, as the school of thought inadvertently supports the foundation upon which Christianity exists.
~ 1776 Christian
