The Bible’s Multiverse
The Bible’s World is Stranger Than You Think
The Bible’s Idea of A Multiverse
but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world (aionas).
Hebrews 1:2
Through faith we understand that the worlds (aionas) were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Hebrews 11:3 (AV 1873)
In the texts above, the ESV translates the final word in the verse as “World,” in the original it is plural (“worlds”). Now the word world used there is a word which has another meaning: “Age.”
With the insights of Einstein, we know that space and time are extremely connected to one another, so much so that it is properly termed “space-time.”
At creation for there to be multiple worlds, or multiple ages created from the start, might be both. In the Ancient Christian Commentary on Hebrews, the ancient commentators are divided on whether “aionas” is “ages” or “worlds.”
But this is just evidence #1 that the Bible’s position is that there are multiple worlds, we will move to others.
The Cosmos Within
And the tongue is a fire, a world (cosmos) of iniquity: so is the tongue amongst our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
James 3:6 (AV 1873)
Here in James, the tongue is described as such a formidable adversary, that it is a cosmos or universe-sized enemy full of iniquity. While it might be a stretch to say that James actually thinks you have a universe on or in your mouth, a better way to express this might be “a massive system.” For cosmos occasionally means “system” - or a self-sustaining realm for some purpose.
Realm of Flesh / Realm of the Spirit
Another way the Bible describes these systems are the flesh versus the Spirit which God creates in believers. They both, like the tongue/ cosmos of iniquity described above are self-perpetuating and self-sustaining systems (which happen to be at war with one another).
Here’s a descriptor of these two kinds of systems, or worlds:
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5:16–26 (ESV)
The Kingdom of God Within God’s Enemies
You find this war of the worlds not just within the Believer (flesh vs Spirit) but even in God’s enemies!
And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Luke 17:20–21 (KJV)
My suspicion is that the word that Jesus preached to these Pharisees is the kingdom Jesus is referring to, and that even within them, the people that crucify the Lord, the kingdom of God will prevail.
So as you can see, the Bible’s idea of the worlds, ages, and cosmoses is a bit different than the M-Theory or String Theory of the Theoretical Physicists. It goes as far as our very composition as creatures of God. It stretches into time itself (aeon). It reflects the battle between dark and light. It is nearly incomprehensible.
While there are many worlds, and many cosmoses (in the Bible’s conception of them), we can rest in the idea that there is one God over all through all and in all. Blessed be this God who works in and through the strangeness of what is.
Nate
Soli Deo Gloria