To Life

I am currently reading Erwin Schrodinger (one of the founding physicists in the school of quantum mechanics). In 1943, he delivered a series of lectures intentionally out of his field with the overarching title of "What Is Life?" This little book is a scientific exploration of a deeply philosophical and theological question--what makes us, plants, and animals different from other types of stuff in the created order? What does it really mean to be alive?

Herr Schrodinger avoids theology (he does not, though, seem to be a despiser of things theological, just inexpert, therefore, unwilling to discuss them). But he does delve into what makes life different from other forms of existence. He believes it actually is very simple--living things interact.

Atoms and subatomic particles will respond and react to stimulus--as will a rock--you pick it up and throw it, and it will move. But living things are different. They respond, they anticipate, they feel. Moreover, they will combine and separate. They will form communities--even at the microscopic level--they will also isolate themselves from each other, or form communal boundaries against other communities. Be very afraid when the rocks in your driveway start to organize.

Biblical theologians teach this, too. As we read of the creation of life, we find that God intended to make something that could interact with both God and with each other. God did so in an expression of love, love that is the very essence of God himself. In fact, so much is this a piece of the being and nature of God that we use personal pronouns for God who remains unknowable save for God's self-expression in Word and Christ.

As we discover this truth, we suddenly find ourselves face to face with some of the most existential questions--why are we here? what are we supposed to be doing? what is the resolution of who and what we are?

As we live, we are to interact. We are to interact with God. We are to interact with one another. We are to interact with creation itself. If we want to fulfill the purpose for which God made us, we will not interact in general, amorphous terms, we will do so in love. The story of human creation declares that we are made in the image of God, a statement that has befuddled, baffled, and spurred countless doctoral dissertations in the seminaries among the theologians. Let me posit one more idea--if living is interacting, and to live fully is to live in accord with God's will for our existence, then being in the image of God is no less than being able to use our creative imaginations to embody love as God defined it--being other-centered and self-sacrificial to the benefit of all.

As we do so, we fully come alive in and of ourselves. We certainly transcend the basic signs of life--breathing, eating, reproducing. We begin to tap into those things that make meaningful, hopeful, and more happy than it might otherwise be.

To me there is no more hopeful concept than realizing we were literally made for love. What joy. What possibility.

Live.