The Value of Physics for Christian Theology

Before reading this article, you may wonder what physics could possibly have to do with theology. I once asked this same question. My academic experience and research interests are in theology, church history, and the relationship between faith and science. As I have studied these three subjects, I have developed a deep fascination with physics, and reading the great physicists to learn more about our world has greatly benefitted my theological reflections on creation and God’s majesty. Admittedly, physics may not interest every Christian, and I am not going to argue that all Christians should study it. I will simply contend that there is great value in the findings of physics for theological reflection. Here are two specific insights I have gleaned from physics for the study of theology.

First, physics illuminates and adds depth to our understanding of the doctrine of creation.[1] What is the task of physics? A helpful and timeless definition of this task comes from Albert Einstein in the 1930s. He writes, “Physics is an attempt at a conceptual construction of a model of the real world as well as its lawlike structure.”[2] According to Einstein, physicists should desire to develop models or theories based on investigations of the world that truly describe the world. As one university site further clarifies about the purpose of physics, “The main reason to study physics is because you are curious about how the world works.”[3] These descriptions of the purpose of physics demonstrate the ultimate goal of the physicist to better understand the world and universe that we inhabit.

Describing the theories of physicists, Einstein points out “the theorists [sic] hope that he may comprehend reality in its depth.”[4] The physical theories or models developed by scientists should correspond to reality, and Christians know that reality has been created by God. It is helpful to think about the relationship between physics and theology in this way: first, through studying the doctrine of creation, we learn about God’s creative activity as revealed in the Scriptures. Additionally, by studying physics, we learn about the specific mechanics and laws governing the creation designed by God. Knowledge of these specific laws is not necessary to a doctrine of creation, but the study of physical theories can deepen our understanding of God’s creation. Contrary to the warfare view of the faith-science relationship, physics is not an enemy or a threat to theology.

Physical laws do not rule out the need for God’s governance in the world. Colossians 1:17 tells us that “in [Christ] all things hold together.” The theories and laws of physics, if they are true and reflective of reality, have been created by Christ and are continually sustained by him. Physical models of the universe and its laws give us a glimpse at God’s eloquent and artful design of his creation.  For example, mathematician Alexander Friedmann discovered and taught the expanding nature of our universe, and astronomer Edwin Hubble revealed a nearly incomprehensible number of galaxies throughout the universe.[5] While a doctrine of creation teaches us how powerful and big our God is, these discoveries by physicists reveal aspects of creation we could not know otherwise. God created a vast universe filled with countless celestial objects, and his creation grows larger by the second according to laws he set in place and continually sustains.

By attentively considering the discoveries of physics, we may praise God with the apostle Paul for his mysterious yet wonderful ways in creation.

Second, the findings of physics can shed light on God’s majesty and his mysterious plan for humanity. How do we maintain belief in the central role that humanity plays in God’s work of creation and redemption in light of the findings of physicists? After all, the universe is expanding at every moment, and there are an unfathomable number of distant galaxies throughout the universe, each containing planets, stars, and black holes.[6] Suddenly, humanity does not seem so central to God’s plan of creation. Some secular physicists desire to diminish humanity’s central role in the universe in light of these discoveries about the size of the universe. For example, the popular astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson once commented on a photo of Earth from space, “Earth occupies barely a pixel in that image, offering a stark reminder of how small we are in an indifferent universe, with no sign of help coming from elsewhere in space to rescue us from our thoughtless deeds.”[7] In response to this grim interpretation of our place in the universe, we as Christians must remember that humans are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26–27). God has revealed himself to human beings, and it was for the redemption of humanity that God became man (John 1:14; Philippians 2:4–11).[8] Even though our planet does occupy a tiny space in our larger universe, God desired to enact his plan of salvation here. Continual scientific discoveries about the vastness of God’s creation should cause us to marvel at God’s love, care, and attention for us as humans (Psalm 8).[9] Thus, scientific discoveries about the big universe we inhabit should not threaten the significance of humanity’s place in the universe.

The size and nature of the universe is unfathomable, but God’s glory and majesty are even more unfathomable. We may not know why God created such a big universe, but we do know that even the most distant celestial objects have been purposefully and artfully designed by God to reveal his glory (Psalm 19:1). Believers today have the privilege and joy to learn about our grand world and universe because of technological developments and physical discoveries. By attentively considering the discoveries of physics, we may praise God with the apostle Paul for his mysterious yet wonderful ways in creation (Romans 11:33). While physics can add depth to many other areas of theology, this scientific subject has particular value for our understanding of creation and humanity.

Photo retrieved from Unsplash.

[1] For the language of “illumination” to explain the science-theology relationship, see Alister E. McGrath, T. F. Torrance: An Intellectual Biography (1999; repr., Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 2006); Thomas F. Torrance The Christian Doctrine of God: One Being Three Persons, Cornerstones (2016; repr., London: T & T Clark, 2025).

[2] Albert Einstein, as quoted in Diana L. Kormos-Buchwald and Michael D. Gordin, Free Creations of the Human Mind: The Worlds of Albert Einstein (New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2025), 111, Kindle.

[3] Physics and Astronomy, “Why Study Physics?” Montclair State University, accessed February 6, 2025, https://www.montclair.edu/physics-astronomy/why-study-physics/.

[4] Albert Einstein, “On the Method of Theoretical Physics,” Philosophy of Science, Vol. 1, No. 2, (April 1934): 168, Κ11 Einstein_On_The_Method_of_Theoretical_Physics.pdf; for a further elaboration of Einstein’s philosophy of science, see Albert Einstein, “Physics and Reality,” Daedalus, Vol. 132, No. 4 (Fall, 2003): 22–25, Physics & Reality.

[5] See Tess Josse, “May/June 1922: Friedmann Imagines a Changing Universe—to Einstein’s Chagrin,” American Physical Society, aps.org, last modified May 15, 2024, May/June 1922: Friedmann Imagines a Changing Universe — to Einstein’s Chagrin | American Physical Society; David J. Eicher, “October 5th, 1923: Hubble discovers galaxies beyond the Milky Way,” Astronomy, astronomy.com, last modified October 5, 2025, Oct. 5th, 1923: Hubble discovers galaxies beyond the Milky Way.

[6] For the central role of humanity in the creation account, see Tyler Wittman, Creation: An Introduction, Short Studies in Systematic Theology (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2025), 113; See also Gary E. Schnittijer, “Understanding the Creation Story from Genesis,” Zondervan Academic, last modified May 1, 2018, Understanding the Creation Story from Genesis | Zondervan Academic.

[7] Neil deGrasse Tyson, “The Power of a Cosmic Perspective,” Essays, neildegrassetyson.com, accessed February 13, 2026, The Power of a Cosmic Perspective – Neil deGrasse Tyson : Neil deGrasse Tyson.

[8] For helpful insights on God’s redemptive plan for humanity in light of scientific discoveries, see C. S. Lewis, “Religion and Rocketry,” in The World’s Last Night and Other Essays (1952; repr., New York, NY: HarperOne, 1959), 87–98.

[9] For a similar reflection on this Psalm and man’s place in the universe of scientific discoveries, see Daniel Stevens, Songs of the Son: Reading the Psalms with the Author of Hebrews (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2025), 21–34.