Believing Is Seeing

1. Believing is Seeing: Your Worldview Shapes Reality

Your worldview is your own personal Svengali, the all-powerful puppeteer deep within your subconscious that pulls your strings, that controls not only how you see everything but how you react to everything—including this book.

Worldview is paramount. Our worldview, the sum of our beliefs about ourselves, others, the cosmos, and God, dictates every aspect of our lives. It's not merely an intellectual framework but a subconscious force that shapes our perceptions and reactions. This fundamental principle, "believing is seeing," means that what we hold to be true directly influences how we interpret and engage with the world around us.

Unexamined worldviews are dangerous. Many people navigate life with an uninspected worldview, much like driving a car without understanding its mechanics. This can lead to severe consequences, especially during crises. The author's journey, from a science-minded atheist in East Los Angeles to a Harvard physicist, highlights how a narrow worldview can be challenged by new discoveries, forcing a re-evaluation of deeply held assumptions.

A call to introspection. The book urges readers to become their "worldview mechanic," to hoist their beliefs onto a "hydraulic lift" and inspect them from the bottom up. This process of self-examination is crucial for developing a "truth-based worldview" that can confidently navigate life's inevitable storms and lead to profound fulfillment.

2. Science and Christianity are Fundamentally Compatible

The Christian worldview is fundamentally in line with the scientific worldview.

Challenging assumptions. The author, initially an atheist, discovered a surprising alignment between the scientific and Christian worldviews, contrary to popular belief. His systematic comparison revealed that while atheism often contradicts scientific tenets, Christianity frequently harmonizes with them. This realization was a pivotal moment in his intellectual and spiritual journey.

Comparative analysis. The author examined three major worldviews—scientific, atheistic, and Christian—against key questions:

• Does absolute truth exist? Science: YES, Atheism: NO, Christian: YES.
• Are there truths that cannot be proven? Science: YES (Einstein, Gödel), Atheism: NO, Christian: YES (Thomas).
• Is the universe designed for life? Science: YES (fine-tuning, Sir Martin Rees), Atheism: NO (Steven Weinberg), Christian: YES.
  This matrix clearly showed atheism as fundamentally opposed to science, while Christianity was aligned.

Deeper harmony. Further exploration revealed more profound compatibilities. Both worldviews affirm human uniqueness, attributing it to a spiritual dimension (SQ in science, spirit in Christianity). Both also recognize the special nature of light, seeing it as embodying contradictions (wave-particle duality vs. hypostatic union), transforming into matter (particle creation vs. Incarnation), and existing in a timeless state (speed of light vs. God's timelessness).

3. Truth is Bigger Than Proof: Logic Has Limits

Truth is bigger than proof.

Gödel's bombshell. The notion that absolute truth can exist without being provable is a cornerstone of both science and Christianity. Mathematician Kurt Gödel's incompleteness theorems demonstrated that any sufficiently powerful logical system will either be incomplete (contain unprovable truths) or inconsistent (contain paradoxes). This shattered the illusion of 100% faith-free proof, even in mathematics.

Logic's inherent limitations. Gödel's work revealed that logic, while powerful, is not all-powerful. It cannot fully grasp complex truths without relying on unprovable axioms or succumbing to paradoxes. This means:

• Some truths are genuinely true but logically unprovable.
• Some seemingly airtight logical proofs can be riddled with stealthy paradoxes.
  This insight profoundly impacts how we approach knowledge, suggesting that certainty, as once sought in mathematics, is unattainable through logic alone.

Beyond Aristotelian logic. The discovery of non-Aristotelian logics (e.g., three-valued, fuzzy logic) and non-Euclidean geometries (e.g., spherical, hyperbolic) further illustrates that conventional logic is just one way of reasoning. Critical thinking, therefore, must encompass more diverse and complex approaches than mere logical deduction. This expanded understanding of truth and proof is vital for a comprehensive worldview.

4. The Universe is a Translogical Wonderland, Beyond Mere Logic

Not only is the Universe stranger than we think, it is stranger than we can think.

Quantum weirdness. Modern physics, particularly quantum mechanics, reveals a universe far more bizarre and counter-intuitive than classical physics ever imagined. This "Wonderland" operates on principles that defy conventional logic and human imagination, yet are supported by rigorous evidence. Examples include:

• Paradoxical particles: Light and electrons behave simultaneously as particles and waves.
• Teleportation and instantaneous communication: Electrons can jump between energy levels without traversing space, and entangled particles can influence each other instantly.
• Multiple existences: Atoms can be smeared out, existing in many places at once, allowing for phenomena like quantum tunneling.

Relativistic elasticity. Einstein's theories of relativity further stretch our understanding of reality. Special relativity introduced the concept of 4D spacetime and demonstrated that distances, times, and masses are not absolute but elastic, depending on the observer's speed. While these effects are only noticeable at extreme speeds, they reveal a universe where our everyday perceptions are merely "optical illusions" of a deeper, absolute reality.

Gravity's true nature. General relativity re-imagined gravity not as an invisible force, but as dimples in the elastic fabric of 4D spacetime. This profound concept, described by Einstein's beautiful equations, portrays a universe strewn with invisible contours that dictate motion. These discoveries collectively show that the universe is a "translogical Wonderland," accessible not just through IQ, but through a deeper, intuitive understanding.

5. Faith is the Mighty Foundation of Both Science and Religion

Without faith, science couldn’t exist. And not just any faith—enlightened faith informed by both IQ and SQ, the result of the brain’s LH and RH coming together in a powerful, irresistible way and urging us to believe.

Science's faith-based axioms. Despite claims of being purely objective and non-dogmatic, the scientific method itself rests on foundational beliefs that cannot be proven. These "articles of faith" include:

• The universe can be explained: Rooted in the Principle of Sufficient Reason, this belief underpins all scientific inquiry.
• The simplest explanation is best (Ockham's Razor): An unprovable axiom guiding scientific theory selection.
• Experiments are the best way to understand the universe: A core tenet, despite inherent uncertainties and biases in experimental design and interpretation.
  These axioms require faith, not proof, to accept.

Beyond mere logic. The historical development of science, from its founders like Descartes and Newton, shows that it emerged from a context of deep spiritual and religious convictions. These pioneers believed that studying God's creation was a way to understand God himself. This highlights that science is not solely a logical algorithm but a faith-based enterprise, driven by an "enlightened IQ-and-SQ-based faith."

Faith's supreme power. Faith, far from being a weakness, is presented as the mightiest power in the universe. Enlightened faith, integrating both IQ and SQ, has inspired humanity to overcome natural forces through scientific and technological innovation. It is the genius that allows us to "move mountains" by inventing rockets (defeating gravity), dynamite (commanding electromagnetism), and nuclear power (marshaling the strong force).

6. Spiritual Intelligence (SQ) Unlocks Profound Truths

Spiritual intelligence is what makes us humans unique; no other animal on the planet has it.

Human uniqueness. While IQ is shared with many animals, Spiritual Intelligence (SQ) is presented as the defining characteristic of Homo sapiens sapiens. SQ enables us to perceive, process, and communicate "extra-worldly truths and realities that leave us speechless." This unique cognitive superpower is evident in our species' sudden appearance with behaviors like art, religious beliefs, and complex planning.

The brain's dual lenses. SQ is rooted in the brain's right hemisphere (RH), which excels in intuition, imagery, and holistic thinking, complementing the left hemisphere's (LH) focus on logic and details. Just as 3D glasses combine two images to create depth, IQ and SQ work synergistically to provide a comprehensive, meaningful view of reality. Without SQ, the universe appears "blurry and confusing," lacking depth and meaning.

Transcending the "god of the gaps." Atheists often dismiss spiritual awareness as a "god of the gaps" fallacy, arguing that science will eventually explain all mysteries. However, the author contends that SQ is not a flaw but a fundamental aspect of human design. As scientific knowledge expands, the universe becomes more mysterious, not less, with concepts like quantum mechanics and relativity bordering on the supernatural. SQ allows us to engage with these profound, translogical mysteries that IQ alone cannot grasp.

7. The Christian Worldview Offers Unique Answers to Life's Deepest Questions

The New Testament’s glaring disregard for logic didn’t turn me off. Instead, it reminded me immediately of what I’d been learning in quantum physics (QP).

Translogical resonance. The author found a striking similarity between the New Testament (NT) and quantum physics: both present truths that defy conventional logic but are not nonsense. This "translogical thinking" allowed him to take Christianity's audacious claims seriously, recognizing them as potentially profound rather than merely illogical. This approach was crucial for moving beyond superficial disagreements and discerning the core truths of the faith.

Audacious claims, compelling evidence. Mainstream Christianity makes extraordinary claims about Jesus, including his:

• Divine incarnation: God in human form.
• Messianic prophecies: Fulfillment of ancient Hebrew predictions.
• Virgin birth: A miraculous event, paralleled by natural parthenogenesis in some species.
• Sinless life and cosmic crucifixion: A sacrificial act to reconcile humanity with God.
• Resurrection: A central tenet, supported by numerous eyewitness accounts and historical analysis, which scholars like E.P. Sanders and Gary Habermas argue is consistent with "minimal facts."

Beyond the "Black Lagoon." While science struggles to explain the origin of life (abiogenesis), with scenarios like "It Came from Outer Space" or "It Came from the Black Lagoon" facing significant challenges, the Christian worldview offers a coherent explanation: a rational Designer. The immense improbability of life arising spontaneously, as noted by scientists like Sir Fred Hoyle, points to the necessity of "explicit instructions" for its assembly, aligning with the biblical narrative of creation.

8. Trust, Not Just Belief, Leads to True Freedom and Destiny

Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Belief vs. Trust. The Christian worldview distinguishes between merely believing in something (an IQ-based acknowledgment of existence) and truly trusting in it (a full-bodied surrender of one's entire being). The author illustrates this with his inability to swim despite knowing Archimedes' principle; he believed in the science but didn't trust it with his life. This profound distinction is central to experiencing the transformative power of faith.

The Holy Spirit: Asymptotic Freedom. Christianity posits that true freedom comes not from escaping God, but from drawing infinitely close to Him through the Holy Spirit. This concept resonates with "asymptotic freedom" in quantum chromodynamics, where quarks are freest when closest to the strong force's nucleus. The Holy Spirit acts as a "wireless, quantum-entanglement-like, broadband communications pipeline" to God, offering guidance and peace.

Destiny over dreams. The author's personal crisis of infertility, after years of scientific and religious exploration, led to a moment of surrender and a profound spiritual encounter. This experience, though ineffable, was consistent with the Christian worldview and led him to embrace adoption, fulfilling a destiny far grander than his initial dream of being a scientific monk. This shift from a self-centered "dream" to a God-given "destiny" brings unparalleled fulfillment and purpose.

9. Your Worldview Determines Your Fate in Life's "Titanic Moments"

When a Titanic Moment strikes—no matter how smart or successful you are, no matter how many powerful friends you have—you feel trapped and can’t for the life of you figure out any escape. At that moment, your worldview is your most valuable possession.

The ultimate reality check. Life's "Titanic Moments"—crises that threaten our peace, well-being, or very existence—serve as ultimate tests of our worldview. These moments expose whether our beliefs align with absolute reality or are based on misguided delusions. Just as the Titanic's engineers and passengers believed in its "unsinkability," a flawed worldview can lead to catastrophic decisions when confronted with harsh truths.

Dangers of delusion. The post-truth culture, where personal feelings dictate reality ("be who you are"), can be benign in trivial matters but perilous in serious ones. Examples like a pedophile claiming to be an eight-year-old girl or transgender athletes impacting women's sports highlight the societal dangers of unchecked subjective realities. On a personal level, self-delusion, like Kurt Gödel's fear of poisoning, can lead to tragic self-destruction.

Cultivating a robust worldview. To navigate these inevitable crises, a robust worldview is essential. This means:

• Foundation: Built on enlightened IQ-and-SQ-based faith, integrating logic and spiritual insight.
• Size: Expansive enough to accommodate both the material universe and its unseen Creator.
• Center: Heliocentric, focused on universal, eternal, absolute truths rather than self-centered feelings or dreams.
  This intentional cultivation of a truth-based worldview is the most crucial preparation for life's challenges, offering hope, courage, and wisdom when despair and fear threaten to sink us.

Last updated: January 19, 2026