Albert Einstein makes me sad.
I’ve long been fascinated by Einstein’s life and work. His name is synonymous with genius, which is impressive in its own right. His theories changed humanity's understanding of our universe and paved the way for technologies both great and grave. But Einstein wasn’t always right. And there are things that I read about the man that break my heart.
A passage from his essay, What I Believe, resonated deeply with me. After writing about the beauty of mystery, Einstein speaks of the importance of wonder.
"He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed." - Albert Einstein
My understanding of wonder is to be curious, to desire to know something. It’s about pondering and thinking, with a hint of the awe of it all. I’ve always been a wonderer. I have my 6 Types of Working Genius results as proof. Maybe this is why I’ve always been so fascinated by Einstein, because of his wonder and curiosity.
Einstein continues his thoughts on the mystery of life and his own religious convictions before drawing another conclusion. One that I actually agree with on a profound level. But it’s also a conclusion that grieves me, because the God he describes rejecting is a God I don’t believe in either.
“I cannot imagine a God who rewards and punishes the objects of his creation, whose purposes are modeled after our own - a God, in short, who is but a reflection of human frailty.” - Albert Einstein
Einstein concludes that he can’t believe in a God who is modeled after humanity. He rejects a God who is merely a reflection of human frailty.
You might be thinking, “I thought Jimmy was a Christian who believed in God? How can he agree with this quote from Einstein?”
I do believe in God. And I believe in Jesus. I believe this with every fiber of my being. Even in my doubts and struggles, my questions and hurts, I wholeheartedly agree with Peter that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
But I, along with Einstein, cannot imagine a God whose purposes are modeled after our own. And I reject a God who is but a reflection of human frailty. Because the God I believe in isn’t made in my image. The God I believe in is the God who created humanity in His own image. It is not God who is a mere reflection of me. It is me who is a poor reflection of Him.
I believe God created me with a sense of wonder. When I’m healthy (physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually…wholly), my heart and mind are filled with awe. My curiosity runs wild as I ponder this world that our Creator spoke into existence. When I read Christ’s words that we are to come to Him like little children, I believe, at least for me, part of that definition means approaching my life with a childlike sense of wonder in the world.
I do not believe that science and faith are at odds. Geniuses like Einstein don't threaten my faith. They feed my wonder and my curiosity. They actually deepen my faith. But I grieve that Einstein, for all his wonder, didn't seem to find the hope I've found in my Savior.
God is plenty big enough to handle our doubts and questions. So, just as Tolkien says that “Not all those who wander are lost,” neither are all who wonder.