Isaac Newton, the great theologian of science Science and Christianity
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
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One year after the death of Galileo, saw another great light of science, Isaac Newton, who has been in fact considered one of the greatest minds of all time, by contribution to astronomy and mathematically explain all the intricacies of the universe.
However, far from being a scientific skeptic fully dedicated to their research and theories, most of their time and energies were devoted to theological study and especially to make known the true understanding of certain beliefs that until that time few had dared to question. An analysis of everything he wrote about Newton reveals that only 1,000,000 3,600,000 words devoted to science, while some 1,400,000 had to do with theology. Of the total volumes of his personal library, only 31% percent are science books, with 27% volumes of theology, 8% literature, and scientists within one hundred thirty-eight have only books on alchemy, with I intended to explain how all matter is related to the physical language of forces.
Born January 4, 1643 in Woolsthorpe, Lincolnshire, England, son of Isaac Newton and Hannah Ayscough, two peasants from Puritan ideology. However, did not know his father, he died a few months before he was born. When his mother remarried, for reasons that are not clarified, this left him under the care of his grandmother, who lived until the death of his stepfather in 1653. Later she studied at The King's School, Grantham and already eighteen he entered the University of Cambridge to continue his studies. However
Newton discovered something more interesting than the ideas and explanations from teachers college, was the library, where he had contact with lots of interesting information, he read the Geometry of Descartes, Kepler's treatise on optics, read the Clavis Mathematicae William Oughtred, Opera mathematica of Viète and Arithmetic of John Wallis, who served as the basis for their research and subsequent discoveries, and can say that was a self-taught, with an outstanding ability to understand abstract mathematics. It was that way as he graduated from Trinity College, not excel as a student, but with a superior knowledge to their guardians.
But this time when the university library was like a second home, he approached the biblical manuscripts, books of the Christian writers of the early centuries of the great humanists like Erasmus and Greek texts, and other teachers held centuries ago. Given that the books banned by the Council of Trent, was not applied in England, he went to numerous theological writings of great interest. All this made him reach firm conclusions about what their religion and teach those around him.
For Newton, both space and time were absolute and the latter is headed in one direction without turns or loops. The space was fixed, infinite, immobile and metric, and he could measure the absolute movements. For him, this was demonstrated by the centrifugal force produced by rotating bodies, which he correctly surmised that it was the cause of Earth were fatter at the Ecuador.
All these wonderful and harmonious patterns of the material universe were an overwhelming proof of the creative powers of God, seen across the universe and all the laws he discovered the mind of God. As an example, highlighted the fact that all planets orbit in same plane, in the same direction, with the centrifugal force just to avoid tariff
crashed against Sol Newton was puzzled by the fact that gravity appears to act instantaneously at any distance. Acknowledged that they could do more than describe it, without understanding how it worked. In one of his most important works Principia Matematicae he concludes that the discussion about God, and seek God from phenomena is certainly a part of natural philosophy. But it also criticizes the way to explain it by the religious clergy, and churches, comes to interesting conclusions when addressing God and human knowledge: "As a blind have no idea of \u200b\u200bcolors, and lack us insight into the way the wise God perceives and understands all things. is radically devoid of any body and body shape, which can not be seen, heard or touched, and it should not be worshiped under the representation of any coepórea thing .... Their intimate substances are not known by any way or by any reflex act of our minds. Much less can form any idea about the substance of God ( Metematicos Principles, Isaac Newton, General Scholium p620)
subtly criticizes these two key words of Christianity of his time, the use of images like the Platonic philosophies trying to explain God as a substance that later gave rise to doctrines of the identity of God and Christ.
Newton and Trinidad
One of these doctrines, was the subject of the Trinity doctrine against which he wrote, as did a century before the martyred Miguel Servet. Only that Newton was careful not to publish his writings on the topic, one reason is that since 1667 he was elected deputy professor at Trinity, and one of the oaths of income forced to accept that belief, and paradoxically one of advantaged students from the famous school was a fervent opponent of the doctrine of the Trinity. Newton even traveled to London to ask the King Charles II who excused from taking holy orders, which included the pledge of faith in the doctrine to avoid a clash of conscience and apparently his request was granted, for it could access appointed professor at the university.
But never renounced his beliefs, but these the carry almost secretly, for these reasons it is understandable why he chose to sign with a sentence at the end in their most secret alchemical manuscripts: Je as Sanctus Unus Hova: One God Jehovah . He did so to avoid putting your name on them, taking into account that alchemy was considered something illegal and prohibited at the time, but also because somehow wanted to record their beliefs. And it was not for having contacts with the unitary or antitrinatios, as he came to reject the trinity, as we saw was a total autodidact. With regard to this doctrine, he discovered for himself that did not express any how the scriptures, the definition of the Trinitarian dogma, did not appear in any biblical text. The early Christians did not understand anything or wrote about the idea of \u200b\u200ba single substance of God and Christ, this idea was born at Nicaea and he finally settled in Constantinople in 381, which was added to the Holy Spirit.
One of his most important works of a theological character was "An Historical Account of Two Notable Corruption of Scriptures" (A historical debt of two notable corruptions of Scripture), which denounced the manipulation had been introduced in the sacred writings expúreos to insert text, especially in versions America, where words and expressions changed to support the doctrine of the Trinity. The texts in question were 1 John 5:7 and 1 Timothy 3:16, in which Newton laid bare as were added ideas that were not in the oldest writings. Newton explained that the first was added as a footnote, and then the text itself. In the first of the texts, versions prior to 1515 put it: "P ues are three that bear witness " to follow in the next verse (8) the Spirit, water and blood, and three agree on the same ". But the text was changed as follows mysteriously in many translations used by Catholics and Protestants: there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 5:8 also are three that bear witness in earth, spirit, and water, and the blood: and these three are one. That is the way to dump the text still to this day most Protestant translations remain. However, as provided Newton, those words did not appear in the earliest biblical writings, otherwise it would be a final base and strong evidence for the establishment of the Trinitarian doctrine, and Athanasius himself the fourth century, had been used as an argument for their thesis. So Newton came to show how the text expúreo, known by some experts as the "Johannine Coma", was introduced much later, as well as in the V century, just as a comment of a copyist, as a footnote in the text, but not even original Jerome in his Vulgate, was included in the text, and we know that until the eighth century, not in the Latin version, introduced by replacing the text note.
But Newton using texts from early writers of the Church, the Greek and Latin manuscripts and the testimony of the first versions of the Bible, showed that the words " in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Spirit Ghost: and these three are one, "do not appear there. It was a manipulation of the text to support a doctrine that had no basis in scripture. Indicating as introduced for the first time in a Greek text in 1515 by Cardinal Ximénez, although we know that this was not the first, it is very possible that Ximenez was based on a late Greek manuscript corrected from the Latin, possibly run by the Franciscan Roy, at the time of Erasmus. Finally, Newton considered the sense and the context of the verse, taking into account the previous verses, since the context is not an explanation of the identity of Christ or God, but Christ shows that the identified by their baptism in water and the shedding of his blood, and the Holy Spirit was poured out on his congregation yes, that's the simple explanation of the text, so he came to this conclusion: "So the sense is simple and natural, and full and strong argument, but if a Serta in the testimony of 'the Three in Heaven "interrupts and spoils ( Two notable corruptions of scripture).
At the same work also reported another text expureo had to do with 1 Timothy 3:16, which thus appears in many versions, including some modern " And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. "
Newton showed how, through a small alteration in the Greek text, inserted the word "God" to make reading of the sentence was: " God was manifest in the flesh." proved that the allusions of the early writers of the Church saw this verse that they knew nothing of such alteration.
short both passages, Newton said: " If ancient churches, to discuss and decide the greatest mysteries of religion, did not know none of these two texts, do not understand why we should be especially enc Ariño with them now that the debates are over. ( Two notable corruptions of scripture, p60) "The argument for this claim of Newton, could not be challenged by anyone. In more than two hundred years since Isaac Newton compiled this treaty, however there are some corrections needed minor importance to the evidence that he made it clear. However, it was only in the nineteenth century when they appeared in Bible translations which were corrected these passages, only a small percentage of Bible translations insist on keeping the text expureo.
Newton clear forcefully shook the dogma of the Trinity, took Christ as a messenger of God but not being with him. Reached this conclusion by studying the evolution of Christianity in the Roman Empire. L a belief consubstantial Trinity and the divinity of Christ as I believe was established in 325 AD at the Council of Nicea, convened by Emperor Constantine. Athanasius attended the Council, and years later, Bishop of Alexandria being fought against the belief that Arius held that Jesus was not consubstantial with God. Arian beliefs were widespread and Athanasius declared them heretical under penalty of death, committing many atrocities by this and virtually eliminating the non-Trinidadian history. (Two notable corruption is )
a manuscript is kept even his own for a book project against Athanasius for his atrocities against the followers of Arius. Naturally these beliefs kept them in the depths of his being without comment but with a few trusted people and in his letters to John Locke.
Therefore, as a second reason for rejecting the teaching of the Trinity, Newton said: "The homoousion, the famous thesis that the Son is of the same substance as the Father is incomprehensible. not understood at the Council of Nicea, or since. What can not be understood not is the subject of belief. "( Sir Isaac Newton Theological Manuscripts, p. 17. )
Try this aspect of the Trinity Newton's manuscript entitled" Questions about the word homoousia. "It raises a number of issues in a question and reveals there is a third reason why he denied the Trinity, simply because this teaching was not part of early Christianity. The set of questions twelve to fourteen shows that in the case the Holy Spirit, it was not until the fourth century, which is seriously considering including it in the trinity, therefore reads: " Question 12. Were not Athanasius, Hilary, etc., Who originally raised the view that the three substances were the same, in the reign of Julian the Apostate [361-363 CE]? Question 13. Did not originally planned worship of the Holy Spirit shortly after the Council of Serdica? [343 EC] Question 14. Did not the Council of Serdica the first Council was declared in favor of the doctrine of the Trinity Consubstantial? "( Sir Isaac Newton Theological Manuscripts, pp. 45, 46 .).
In another manuscript, now preserved in Jerusalem, Newton summed up the only answer to questions like these: " The Apostle commands us (2 Timothy 1:13) to retain the pattern of sound words. The sustain a language that was not transmitted to or through the prophets and the apostles is a violation of the mandate and those who break it are also guilty of the disturbances and schisms that are caused by that. Not enough to say that an article of faith can be deduced from scripture. Must be expressed in the same pattern of sound words in which the apostles delivered. "(The Religion of Isaac Newton, pp. 54, 55)
In a letter to John Locke, which is on the theme of the Trinity, using the passage in Daniel 7:9, as an argument to demonstrate against the Bible doctrine, wrote: " what source you is confident that the Ancient of Days is Christ? Do you see somewhere Christ seated on the throne? "16 It is obvious here your own conclusions, and clarity of his thinking about the relation of Father and Son is always evident in the writings of Newton. So in other parties stressed the point that prayer can be done to "God in the name of the Lamb, but not in the name Lamb of God ( The Religion of Isaac Newton, p.. 61).
To summarize in a brief manner the arguments that Newton had to repudiate the doctrine, is in his paper entitled fourteen 'arguments, a Latin text, which presents numerous quotes contradict the doctrine, some of these comments are:
"4. For God begot the Son in a while, it did not exist from eternity. Proverbs 8:23, 25. 5. For the Father is greater than the Son. John 14:28. 6. For the Son did not know his last hour. Mark 13:32, Matt. 24:36, Rev. 1:1, 5:3. 7. For the Son received all things of the Father.
Newton and prophecies
But not limited to discuss the issue of the Trinity, was also posting on prophetic matters, wrote extensively on the interpretation of these, especially prophetic books of Daniel and Revelation, but unlike groups such as Muggletonians, not see his performance in his time, but thought that given the circumstances of his time, there is still much to do so. In a text in which inter alia addresses the issue of Revelation and its prophecies, express interesting details as to how to understand the prophecies, including that of the "great crowd" of Revelation 7:9, 10. In his book " Observations on the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation " published in 1733, said: " 
These prophecies of Daniel and John would not make sense until the end of time: but then some prophesy by themselves for long in a state of grief and mourning, and so darkly to convert only a few. [...] Then, says Daniel, many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. For the Gospel must be preached in all nations before the great tribulation and the end of the world. The crowd carrying palm branches in their hands, coming out of this great tribulation, innumerable and can not be removed from all nations, unless it is so by the preaching of the Gospel before it comes. " manuscript belonging to Newton in which he made calculations for the day of the End
Actually Newton was convinced that the end time would culminate in a new era of world peace and prosperity under the millennial rule of the Kingdom of God. And then said to be fulfilled the prophecies of Isaiah 4:3 and Micah 2:4: "They will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Do not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore." But as another document defends his Chronology of Ancient Kingdoms Hear and Observations upon the Prophecies, Newton made several estimates of the "Doomsday", concluding that this would not be before 2060.
His scientific studies, alchemy and theology, made him appreciate the creation and the sense that he saw in everything from
mixed so that their scientific studies with theology, since there was no difference between understanding how things work, either large or small, are laws of physics, mathematics, or elements, chemical reactions, natural performance in all saw the hand of God. But he found in the religions of his time to square any form of thinking, seeing them all as far from the true knowledge of God. In other text in Latin Theologiae gentilis origins philosophicae , Newton explained the main features of the faith in which he believed. Said that in ancient times all people worshiped many gods but that all could be summed up in twelve different names, identified with elements, planets or ancestry, being descendants of Noah actually deified. The initial faith in one God, creator had been corrupted by the tendency to idolatry of men. Newton considered the Jewish people as the chosen by God to return to monotheism, sending Moses. But back to fall again into idolatry was necessary a new envoy, Jesus Christ, who was created by God but by no means being with God. Thus, the study of written documents left by ancient cultures would serve to define and restore the original faith. Their study was centered not only in the Bible, but in all the sacred texts he could find, whether Jews, Egyptians or Babylonians.
Legacy of a Sage
Despite his revolutionary ideas, however, in no time Newton was moved to create a new religious movement, nor, as some say belonged to secret groups like the Rosicrucians, the Masons or , or the Illuminati, as much as some defend that idea has no merit. With the first, he wants to relate, simply because of their interest in alchemy, and because apparently displayed some notes on a copy of his book Christian Fraternitatis Rosaenkruzt Fame, but there just his touch, no doubt could be one of the thousands of books he read and studied, with their wanderlust, even perhaps because of its curious alchemy, Chemical Wedding also read the same author, but never joined them, you may even have even contacted them. On the other hand given its spiritual, theological, it is difficult to join a Masonic group, apart from that, the first Masonic orders were established in 1717, when he was sick and tired after a hard years involved in controversy with some colleagues like Leibniz, and Robert Hooke. His death in 1727, came almost fifty years before the founding of the order of illuminartis therefore does not fit in that group.
He was convinced that the religion of his time was far from God, and until the arrival of the end time, never again flourish and excel the true Christianity.
After his death in 1727, his papers were inherited by a niece named Catherine Barton. Most of his theological works were never published or in Newton's life or after death. Some because they were written as part of his personal studio, others were not published to protect his reputation, since its publication certainly would have condemned its author as a heretic, especially that of the trinity, some topics of alchemy, the interpretation of Revelation, which was identified with the Catholic Church with the Beast of Revelation and others did not see the light until too late.
In fact, in the years after his death were published parts considered useful and the rest, most documents were forgotten as it was considered that could tarnish the good name and fame of the great sage spotless. The scientific papers passed in 1872 to be part of the library of the University of Cambridge, the rest was auctioned at Sotheby's, without much publicity and interest in 1936, leaving scattered around the world. But many of these lesser-known writings, especially alchemy, were purchased in this auction the great economist John Maynard Keynes, who after reviewing the Kings won the College of Cambridge University to which he belonged Isaac Newton. Multitude of other manuscripts are in different libraries of England and the United States, and of theological themes, very insulted, are located mainly in Israel, since they were acquired by the scholar whom gave Yahuda AS, after the rejection to take over them by various American universities, the University of Jerusalem.
Undoubtedly, both scientifically and theologically owed much to Newton for the work of this illustrious character, which, however, have been more open and aggressive in defending their ideas in life, may have been a victim, as was Galileo, Servetus and other scientists believe the weight of religious authorities of his time.
However Newton's influence on some of his contemporaries was notable, for example we have quoted John Locke who maintained an extensive correspondence, not for anything was the first he heard their findings and arguments about the Trinity, and it was he who encouraged him to pursue his theological studies. Locke author of the Essay Concerning Human Understanding, believed in a creator God near the Calvinist conception of the great watchmaker, basing his argument on our own existence and the impossibility of anything being produced. Of the divine essence can be known only accidents, but which are not effects of their business and their designs can only be advised by the laws of nature. As Newton was not in favor of any religion of his time, John Locke, treats religion as a private and individual matter that affects only the relationship between man and God, not human relationships. Thanks to privatization, the man is freed from its dependence on ecclesiastical discipline and charges and rejects the legitimacy and the biblical basis for a Christian state. Although considered important to observe the laws that God shows in nature, natural law considers a divine decree that imposes harmony through a global mindset, understanding among them, the reverence, the fear of God, natural filial affection, and love of neighbor. It also includes some basic prohibitions in harmony with this natural law, among them, steal, kill and ultimately any violation of freedom of others, since they hinder the peaceful coexistence of God's creatures. Although some of his statements in his book, there are certain contradictions, approaching the skepticism when talking about God, when he says that God is the result of an inference and lessons learned of faith must be in accordance with reason. In any case, Locke's contribution was only a source of encouragement in Newton's theological studies.
Another character, closer to the spiritual sense of Newton, William Whiston was ,--------------------->
clergyman of the Anglican Church , who became a leading advocate of anti-Trinitarian view of Newton.
William Whiston was born in 1667, his father was a clergyman of the Church of England, so that would inherit his father's religious vocation. But he shared his passion for God and religion with an appreciation for the natural laws expressed in mathematics. After his ordination in 1693, he returned to Cambridge University to study mathematics and adjunct professor of Newton. At that time the two became good friends and you may like it did with John Locke, Newton shared his knowledge of theology with William and it will show interest in their research, to the extent of accepting them as real and solid evidence difficult to refute it is also possible that both do research on Bible prophecy and many of the things that Newton wrote about it were somehow the contribution of the mathematician, as this was very interested in the biblical time calculations. When Newton resigned the post of Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, three years later, he made the appointment of Whiston in place. During his career, Whiston gave lectures on astronomy and mathematics, but the influence of Newton also encouraged further interest in the timing and scriptural doctrine.
Your interest in biblical history, led him to approach the writings of Flavius \u200b\u200bJosephus, the first century Jewish historian, in fact in 1736 was responsible for translating into English many of his works, which have come down today by your contribution. Also came to publish a Bible translation, called Primitive New Testament, the translation that Whiston made the Christian Greek Scriptures. It was published in 1745, when he was 77 years old. Using various ancient manuscripts, and for example, translated the four Gospels and Acts of the Codex Beza, the letters of Paul, the Codex of Clermont, and the remainder, including Revelation, the Alexandrian Manuscript. Of course as a good follower of Newton, carefully omitted the spurious 1 John 5:7. Whiston contaminated sources rejected by the Catholic Church and Latin copies, chose these three ancient Greek sources to be the best of his time.
In his days believed in deism, in part by the writings of Descartes and John Locke himself, who argued that one can believe in God based on reason alone. William Whiston, rejected these arguments as defending the faith and biblical knowledge, as the main sources of belief, the reason being only helps to understand God, in his book William Whiston. Honest Newtonian (William Whiston: a Newtonian honest) , this scholar strongly defended "the traditional view that the Bible is the only infallible source of ancient history." The same was considered as "Newtonian" shamelessly referring to full confidence in the wisdom writings of Newton. Arguments defended This and the profound logic of their main work Matematicae Principia, where Newton explained the law of universal gravitation.
But his enthusiasm for the Newtonian theories led him to confront the religious establishment of his time, which Newton himself did not dare to do. In July 1708, Whiston wrote to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to reform the doctrine of the Church of England in what he had to do with the false teaching of the Trinity, as reflected in the Athanasian Creed. That as one would expect some difficulty brought him, he was advised caution, yet they persisted Whiston. " I have thoroughly studied these issues " he said, and am completely convinced that he has fooled for long and so important to the Christian church about them, and, with the blessing of God, if in my power, it is not fooled any longer. "
Not content with that, continued to deepen further their anti-Trinitarian ideas, and wrote a pamphlet that exposed. But in August 1708, Cambridge University Whiston denied permission to print the brochure considered unorthodox.
In 1710 Whiston was accused of teaching doctrines contrary to the beliefs of the Church of England. He was found guilty, he was deprived of his professorship and was expelled Cambridge. Instead, he was never convicted of heresy, though he underwent a process of almost five years.
Although Newton shared the anti-Trinitarian ideas of Whiston, no action on behalf of his friend, and eventually ostracized him. Newton feared that their social and academic be adversely affected. Whiston, no. In 1754 he finally published the writings of Newton who discovered the falsity of the Trinity, twenty years after his death. But it was too late for him as to help Whiston, who had died two years earlier.
responsible also considered Newton to exclude from the prestigious Royal Whiston Society, perhaps because it was not in his defense, when he ventured to attack the doctrine. Whiston but not discouraged, soon moved to London with his family, and shortly thereafter founded the Society for the Promotion of Early Christianity. Went on to write on religious subjects, and its most important work of this period the four volumes entitled Primitive Christianity Revived. As a consistent man, Whiston left the Church of England in 1747, I was both literally and figuratively, to leave the church when a priest began to read the Athanasian Creed and that was his last visit to an Anglican church. The book A Religious Encyclopaedia Whiston says: "You should admire the courageous frankness and truthfulness of his character, the result of his life and the honesty of his conduct .
William Whiston believed that they could not make concessions to the truth, and that the convictions were more valuable than applause and praise of men. Although controversial, Whiston was an honest scholar who fearlessly defended the Bible as the Word of God. In 1713 he was a reformed liturgy, which was the basis for years after founding the Society for promoting Christianity primitive, lecturing in support of his theories in corridors and cafes in London. Although the project did not prosper, eventually joined by some historians one of the Baptist churches of his time, it is possible to do so because of their ideology to the movement of General Baptists that by that time, half of the eighteenth century, had become antitriniatarios.
So that way the student surpassed the master value, but not intelligence, it was silenced while Whiston, Newton's work has been kept alive and no doubt aroused in many minds, even of the nineteenth and twentieth The idea of \u200b\u200bsearching the scriptures to bring down doctrines that are very well entrenched, and did so intelligently, because had it not been for his careful and calculated caution and secrecy, his work would have disappeared and their work had been forgotten, like so many scholars and teachers ostracized under the mighty inquisitorial machinery.
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