Time is everywhere around us; Our daily lives revolve around time. Yet, time is probably the biggest mystery of modern physics and mathematics. It led big minds such as Albert Einstein to the conclusion that time does not exist. Time is the most basic condition of our lives and a thing we cannot do anything about.
Time seems very clear. Once something happens, it is gone. Indeed, but often, what happened in the past affects the future. We do things in the present because we plan for the future. Understanding time helps us comprehend and assess a life lived within time. In fact, Christianity holds people morally responsible for acts performed in the past.
Several mathematical depictions of time exist, and we will review them all, together with Christian theological perspectives gleaned from the Simulation Creationism Theory proposed by Nir Ziso, the founder of The Global Architect Institute.
Newtonian time
Newtonian time is an absolute and universal parameter that progresses uniformly regardless of the observer’s state of motion: r(t), where r is the position vector of a particle at time t. Although we, as beings living in time, think that time passes, it gets complicated when God enters this framework. For God, variation across time is no different than variation across space.
For Isaac Newton, space and time are absolute; they flow without compromise. Nothing that happens on that stage affects the stage itself. For example, if you drop a ball from a certain height, it will fall to the ground at a predictable rate, regardless of where or when you drop it. This predictability and uniformity reflect the Newtonian concept of absolute time. Newton, indeed, used the everyday notion of time. It is the notion that time is universal, the same for everyone and everywhere, no matter what they are doing. Time ticks away at a constant rate, and time passes equally and exactly the same for everyone.
Space, as understood in Newtonian mechanics, is three-dimensional and Euclidean, with a fixed orientation, symbolized by E3. If some point O in E3 is fixed and defined as an origin, the position of any point P in E3 is uniquely determined by its radius vector (the origin of this vector coincides with the point O, and its end coincides with the point P). The three-dimensional linear vector space R3 is a set of all radius vectors. The space R3 is endowed with a scalar product ⟨ , ⟩. Time is a scalar which is the same in all space E3 and is denoted as t. The ordered set { t } is called a time axis.
Newton was a deeply religious and spiritual person; his scientific endeavors were a way for him to understand the divine order established by God. Laws of nature, including the concept of absolute time, were a manifestation of God’s creation. Since time is absolute and universal, uniform and independent of any physical event, Newton interpreted it as a reflection of God’s eternal and unchanging nature: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17). Wherever God is (everywhere), time is with Him.
Indeed, the predictability and uniformity of Newtonian time point to the order and regularity in God’s creation, reinforcing the idea that the universe operates according to divine principles: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). However, future research showed that time is very relative and it might be an illusion. Within Simulation Creationism, time is the idea of an ordered God’s Simulation. Still, such temporality’s philosophical and theological implications provide us with further difficulties.
There is a classical question of whether God chose time or not. Is time something imposed on Him or something He decided on, whose nature He determined? If God did create time, we would have a problem with the causation of all things. Usually, we think that cause comes earlier than effect. If God creates time, the impact of it is that such a moment is the first instant of time. Nothing exists “before”. If God did not create time, we must ask what the relationship between God and time is. That does not seem quite right.
Time is not an intrinsic feature of The Simulation but something created or derived from the intricate interplay of simulated events. Our perception of time is intricately tied to the very fabric of God’s Simulation. If the clocks were not created, humans might not have thought about the passage of time the way we do now. Time is how we think about history: “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:14). It is a subjective construct that emerges from our experiences and the unfolding of events throughout history. It is the form of our perception and narratives that shape our understanding of events in this simulated world. There is also the possibility that time does not exist at all, not even as a simulated construct, and there is only the Eternal Now. The goal is to detach from the simulated environment and move away from the rules and limitations of time and place.
Relative time
Albert Einstein introduced the concept of relativistic time within Special Relativity, famously unifying space and time into a four-dimensional space-time continuum. An example of relative time is the time dilation experienced by astronauts traveling at high speeds in space. Time passes slower for them compared to people on Earth, as demonstrated by the twin paradox. This unity of time and space resembles God’s omnipresence, transcending human limitations in understanding: “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast” (Psalm 139:7-10). Time’s relativity is evident as it depends on the observer’s state of motion:
S² = c²t² – x² – y² – z²
where S is the spacetime interval, , t is the time coordinate, c is the speed of light, and x, y, z are spatial coordinates. When Einstein integrated gravity into Special Relativity, he introduced time in General Relativity, portraying it as affected by curved spacetime. Described by Einstein’s field equations:
where Gμν is the Einstein tensor, Λ is the cosmological constant, gμν is the metric tensor, Tμν is the stress-energy tensor, G is the gravitational constant, and c is the speed of light
The Equation includes the cosmological constant Λ and the speed of light c, making it more general and applicable to a wider range of scenarios, including those involving dark energy or an expanding universe.
Einstein’s assertion that space and time are intertwined fundamentally altered the understanding of Newtonian time. This prompts an inquiry into whether space, too, reflects aspects of God, a profound theological question. Christianity posits that God transcends time and thus can create it. God’s perception encompasses the past, present, and future in one timeless instant, defying conventional notions of temporality. Physics struggles to establish universal simultaneity, illustrating our inability to grasp divine perspectives independently of reference frames. It reminds us that our divisions of time in the hours, minutes, and seconds are human inventions designed to provide structure and order; but in the end, we do not have any use for it: “My times are in your hand” (Psalm 31:15).
The relativity of time offers new theological insights, reflecting the transcendent nature of God. The interconnectedness of time and space mirrors divine understanding beyond human comprehension: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
The notion of a block universe, where past, present, and future coexist, challenges conventional perceptions of time. In such a universe, God’s sustaining presence transcends temporal boundaries: “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17). Time, therefore, is relative and contingent on speed or gravitational field, highlighting the disparity between human and divine perceptions and introducing the concept of timelessness: “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day” (2 Peter 3:8).
Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity envisions a block universe, where events occupy positions in space-time, challenging conventional notions of linear time. This prompts reflection on the illusory nature of time perception and the coexistence of past, present, and future in the fabric of reality. Physicist Max Tegmark suggests that reality can be viewed as a four-dimensional space-time continuum where nothing changes, challenging our perception of temporal progression. The physicist Julian Barbe likens our experience of time to a series of “nails,” highlighting the subjective nature of temporal awareness and the role of memory in constructing our temporal reality.
It fits Simulation Creationism since it confirms the simulated notions of time frames. We should leave the past and present in God’s hands because time is a simulated construct. God created the illusion of the past to provoke an inner understanding in our souls, as nothing can dissociate us “from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:28). The future is a simulated construct where God asks from us loyalty and faith: “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:8). A constant “now” is the nature of God’s eternity.
Quantum time
In Quantum Mechanics, time functions as an external parameter, akin to classical mechanics; yet the evolution of quantum states adheres to the Schrödinger equation. This equation allows for a nuanced perspective, unlike our conventional view of time’s unidirectional flow. For instance, in the double-slit experiment, particles like electrons can interfere with themselves, suggesting that their state is a probability distribution evolving over time, rather than following a single, predictable path.
The Schrödinger equation is the cornerstone of quantum mechanics, providing a mathematical framework for understanding the behavior of quantum systems. It governs the evolution of wave functions and allows for the determination of energy levels and other properties of quantum systems. Here, i is the imaginary unit, ℏ (h-bar) is the reduced Planck constant, ψ(t) is the wave function of the system, dependent on position ???? and time ????, H is the Hamiltonian operator, representing the total energy of the system (kinetic and potential energy).
This suggests that time’s progression is sometimes linear. The equations of quantum mechanics exhibit time symmetry, indicating an absence of preference for time’s directionality. In quantum mechanics, moving forward or backward in time is equally feasible. For instance, when examining a typical Feynman diagram illustrating positron/electron annihilation, we can interpret the diagram in either temporal direction. Feynman diagrams are composed of vertices, lines, and arrows, representing particles and their interactions in a structured manner. The following Feynman diagram shows an interaction where an electron (e−) and a positron (e+) annihilate, producing a photon (γ). This photon then decays into a quark (q) and an antiquark (qˉ ), with a gluon (g) emitted in the process.
Moreover, quantum mechanics introduces inherent uncertainty, epitomized by Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle. While humans may struggle to predict outcomes with precision, there’s solace in the notion of a divine plan guiding the universe: “In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps” (Proverbs 16:9). Quantum mechanics posits that certain events at the quantum level are fundamentally indeterminate, sparking debate among physicists yet offering reassurance among theologians. God’s omniscience encompasses all possibilities and outcomes, even those that appear random or uncertain: “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit” (Psalm 147:5).
Quantum mechanics’ time symmetry prompts intriguing questions about time asymmetry in our macro world. This transition from time symmetry at the quantum level to time asymmetry at the macro level is closely linked to concepts of time and entropy in thermodynamics. Physicist Lee Smolin suggests that this transition occurs when indeterminate quantum events evolve into classical definite past events. The past becomes fixed, while the future remains probabilistic, defining the arrow of time.
In Quantum Field Theory, time is integrated into the fabric of spacetime, where fields operate within a relativistic framework. Based on Lorentz Invariance, this theory asserts that the laws governing quantum fields remain invariant under Lorentz transformations, emphasizing their validity across all inertial frames of reference. Time and space coordinates exhibit intertwining characteristics under changes in reference frames, reflecting the relativity of simultaneity. Quantum Field Theory proposes that particles are manifestations of underlying fields permeating spacetime, suggesting an interconnected universe sustained by divine providence: “Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1:3). Simulation Creationism sees this interconnection as God’s Simulation, where intricate cycles of simulated worlds occur indefinitely.
Time in thermodynamics
In thermodynamics, time’s arrow is described by the increase of entropy. This leads us to the concept of entropy, which measures the disorder of a system. Consider a hot cup of coffee left in a room. Over time, the coffee cools down as heat spreads into the room, increasing the system’s entropy and illustrating the forward direction of time. When things are orderly, they have low entropy; conversely, when things are chaotic, they have high entropy. It is a natural tendency of things in the universe to move from low entropy to high entropy, a principle known as the Second Law of Thermodynamics. The real question is, why was the universe low entropy to begin with? Why was the world more ordered in the past than today? Physicists offer an unsatisfying answer: it was even lower entropy the day before yesterday. This reasoning traces back to the moment of creation.
The increase of entropy is connected to the concept of the Fall in Christian tradition, where creation is seen as having moved from a state of original perfection to decay and disorder due to the sin of Adam and Eve: “For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God” (Romans 8:20-21). This interpretation negates God’s knowledge about initial conditions, which is incorrect. Simulation Creationism does not see the Fall as a deed of free will but a preconceived move that led humans to the simulated world of events and challenges with the purpose of learning. The rise of entropy also suggests a teleology or purpose in life. If we believe in life’s purpose, we are meant to achieve something as a legacy at the end of our lives. God’s Simulation leads us to develop Christ-like characteristics of our souls.
Entropy relates to the amount of information necessary to describe a system. A highly-ordered system requires less information, while a disordered system requires more. As entropy increases, so does the information needed to describe the system. If the universe’s entropy constantly increases, the information necessary to describe the universe must also increase. This concept helps explain why time moves forward. Entropy is a one-way process, from an ordered state to a disordered one, mirroring the forward progress of time. It doesn’t mean the reverse process is impossible, but returning things to their original state is statistically improbable. Similarly, the unfolding of history and the future fulfillment of God’s plan reflect a purposeful direction to time: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4). God’s Simulation becomes increasingly disordered from the ideal-type world and necessarily ends in the annihilation of this simulating cycle.
We are curious to know if time causes entropy or vice versa. If increasing entropy were directly responsible for the forward flow of time, it would be logical to presume that decreasing entropy would reverse time. There are pockets of decreasing entropy everywhere. For instance, the inside of your refrigerator decreases entropy by removing heat, but time does not run backward inside your refrigerator. The Second Law of Thermodynamics is not violated because overall entropy still increases when considering the entire system of the fridge and the room it is in.
One standard definition of time is the process that brings the unknown future into the recorded past via the present. This definition implies the necessity of increasing information because every passing second records a definite past event that has happened. It was knowledge once it happened. When it happened, it became new information, thus adding to the total information in the universe. We are still capable of balancing entropy and returning it to zero as we assume the role of stewards of the earth: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (Genesis 2:15). Moreover, it explains the knowledge-gaining process in The Simulation. With every event, our souls become more prosperous with experience and understanding of things through the vital manual: the Bible.
The standard model of our universe explains entropy through the Big Bang, an argument known as the Past Hypothesis proposed by David Albert. If we see that the world is made of atoms and understand entropy in terms of rearranging those atoms, we can explain everything that has happened through the Past Hypothesis. If entropy only increases, one hypothesis is that the universe will eventually reach a state with no free or valuable energy. At this point, the universe will be full of radiation and heat that cannot do any work, known as the Big Freeze. No physical movement, chemistry, or even thoughts can occur, marking the end of the universe.
If nothing happens in the entire universe, and not even thoughts or consciousness can exist, does time still move forward? Probably not. It would be the end of this world. Still, the concept of renewal and new beginnings can be seen in various physical processes where local decreases in entropy are possible, though always with an increase in the more extensive system. Ultimately, this reflects the Christian hope in the resurrection and the promise of a new creation: “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). This renewal signifies divine intervention that transcends natural decay and entropy and provides for another cycle of a simulated world within God’s Simulation.
However, new findings suggest we may need to be more guided. The Big Bang theory proposes that the universe emerged from nothing, signifying time’s beginning. But what if time does not exist, and the Big Bang theory is incorrect? Albert Einstein famously said, “Time does not exist – we invented it.” Recent discoveries by the James Webb Telescope challenge the Big Bang Theory’s validity. It turns out it may not have been the universe’s beginning, and time itself may not exist.
The James Webb telescope shows images of unusually small, smooth, and surprisingly old galaxies. According to the Big Bang Theory, galaxies and other objects should appear more prominent as they move away due to light stretching. However, the James Webb Telescope showed that galaxies become smaller with increasing distance, contradicting the theory. There are doubts about the universe’s expansion, suggesting the theory is wrong and we might live in a static universe. No expansion means there was no Big Bang. No Big Bang allows physical proof of static Simulation that governs our realities.
These findings raise questions about time itself. Some scientists argue that time is merely a human construct, a way to differentiate between the present and our perception of the past. They propose that time is an illusion created by human memories, suggesting that whatever happens or will happen occurs simultaneously. This challenges the idea that time moves in one direction. Without increasing entropy, nothing happens, and there is no progress in life, leading to a state of thermal equilibrium.
Cyclic time
Some cosmological models propose that time could be cyclic, where the universe undergoes endless cycles of expansion and contraction, as described in the Baum-Frampton model. This model suggests a cyclic universe, where expansion and contraction occur perpetually, analogous to the concept of perpetual renewal and divine creation: “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new’” (Revelation 21:5). The model implies an eternal recurrence, where the linear notion of time does not exist. While such a concept may be challenging to comprehend in the Western world, it is a familiar understanding in the East.
Nietzsche introduced the idea of eternal recurrence, suggesting that everything you do in life will be repeated perpetually. Since matter is finite while time is infinite, events must recur eternally. This means both good and bad things happen over and over again. Albert Einstein proposed a cyclical model for the universe, suggesting an everlasting universe that never ends. This idea challenges the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which states that entropy can only increase and not decrease. Some even suggest that the Big Bang is cyclical and happens repeatedly. However, modern science favors the concept of linear time and strongly doubts the occurrence of a cyclical Big Bang. Additionally, it seems the Big Bang never really happened.
In the cyclical perception of time, life is seen as a circle. For instance, farmers regulate their lives based on the seasons, which repeat yearly. A full circle is 360 degrees, closely corresponding to the 365 days in a year. You are born, grow up, and then die. Someone else comes along and does the same thing. The cyclical view of time is more recognized in Eastern philosophies, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, where reincarnation is cyclical. Death is not the end but the beginning of another life form. Eastern philosophies tend to suggest a less progressive and more static view of society, as seen in the caste system in India. Cyclical time is also present in mystical Islam, particularly Sufism, where each day is not seen as better than another, emphasizing the present moment. These cycles repeat endlessly.
Simulation Creationism also suggests cyclical time as a framework to understand the cycles of simulated worlds. God’s Singularity sustains The Simulation as a system consisting of endless simulated world cycles. As Revelation in the Bible explains, a new world will emerge when this simulated world ends. This process goes on forever, as God’s Simulation aims to bring increasingly better characteristics of the soul and God-like attributes. As we can never reach the essence of God’s being, the cycles must be infinite.
One of the most noticeable features of time is directionality. There is a difference between the past and the future. However, physics and mathematics do not inherently distinguish between the past and the future, even though this distinction is evident in our everyday lives. At the level of fundamental physics, there is no particular direction in time. We experience the arrow of time because we live in the aftermath of a significant creation event. But cyclic time reflects the divine orchestration of seasons and times: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Simulation Creationism can be well understood precisely through the cyclical time.
Discrete time
Discrete time refers to theoretical models where time is considered a discrete sequence of moments rather than a continuous flow. One needs integers or rational numbers for the modeling of discrete time. Here, time progresses in distinct and separate intervals instead of flowing continuously. Events occur at specific points in time, numbered by integers. There are no intermediate points between time intervals. A sequence of numbers efficiently indexes them:
t = {…, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, …}
Numbering days are connected to the discrete nature of time, encouraging awareness of individual moments, as Biblical psalms remind us: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). Functions of discrete time are often written as sequences x(n) where n is an integer representing the discrete time index. Discrete time is frequently used in signal processing, where signals are sampled at discrete time intervals and data can be better analyzed. Digital control systems use discrete time, as do economics and finance, such as financial instruments within time intervals (a week, a month, etc.). Thus, discrete time provides simplified analysis, especially in digital contexts, and numerical computation, which is more practical.
If time is discrete, it may suggest a countable sequence of moments and reveal that time is finite instead of an infinite flow of time in a linear time arrow. It also means there are divine interventions at specific moments in history, like creation, incarnation, and end of the world: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority” (Acts 1:7). Of course, there must be an eternal and timeless character of God. But once God had brought a world of authentic temporality, He would engage with its history. Maybe God chose, as an act of self-limitation, to allow such temporality and embodied Himself as Jesus Christ in time. The contentious question is whether Jesus knew the future or whether He was informed about it. Such a condition tells the world is becoming – God knows everything that can be known, but no more than that, giving a possibility that God acts through discrete periods: “He changes times and seasons; He deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning” (Daniel 2:21).
Otherwise, creation is a game in which God tests His inventions. It is not far from the truth. God is the answer to why there should be a universe in the first place. The first feature of that universe for physicists is the temporal feature. Temporality is a hallmark of creation’s limitations, underscoring the importance of individual moments in discrete time: “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16). There was no time in which the universe did not exist. Time is a condition of the universe itself. It cannot be tied to God, who has a divine consciousness through which He knows all tenseless truths about Himself and reality, and nothing ever changes. Some theologians suggest that God is timeless “before” creation, but God became temporal after the moment of creation. But that explanation is valid only if we consider time to be real.
Instead, some theologians consider time an illusion. The notion of time arises because of changes occurring in the physical universe. If there were no change at all, there would be no time. And if these changes are illusional, then time does not exist. These changes may give us a perception of reality that fades away in due course. The ultimate truth does not change. Thus, God Himself does not experience time. However, discrete time provides us with the realization of Kairos (the right moment), where certain moments are seen as pivotal in God’s plan: “But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law” (Galatians 4:4). It all fits within a structured and ordered sequence of time, just as the Bible tells us about established time and seasons.
