The Mystery of Time

(1) Preface

1.1 Time is just too ordinary a concept for the ordinary people. However, only a few people have seriously inquired into what time is. For example, people often point out that we live in a 4-dimensional space (i.e. the physical space [length, width, height] plus time). Many people think that time is independent of the other dimensions of length, width and height. Not only that, the entire universe is permeated by the time dimension, that is, there is not a spot in the universe where there is no time. Time is homogeneous and synchronized in the entire universe.

1.2  Ever since Einstein's theory of relativity, time and space are interrelated. Hence, time is no longer an independent dimension. Instead, space-time is an interconnected 4 dimensional manifold. The relationship among the 4 dimensions (e.g. time dilation) can be defined by mathematical equations. Time is no longer a homogeneous parameter throughout the universe but is a connected parameter to objects (such as rockets, earth, etc.) it concerns. The connection depends on the relative velocity of the related objects.

1.3 The above theory of space-time has immediately subverted our traditional understanding of time. For example, suppose there are three persons (A, B, C) at a certain space-time location initially. They then start to move at different speeds such that A is stationary while B travels eastward at 30% of the speed of light and C 50% of the speed of light westward. Then A will find that B’s clock is about 5% slower than its own. B will have a similar discovery vice versa. A will also find that C’s clock is about 15% slower than its own (and C vice versa). In addition, B will find that C’s clock is about 67% slower than his own (and C vice versa). The aforesaid values are calculated with the special theory of relativity. Thus, time is no longer consistent among them (A, B, C) except at the beginning. (Icebreaker question: If B maintains a constant speed and eventually returns to and stops at A's position, which clock would be faster or slower? or…)

1.4 After the advance of the theory of relativity, scientists postulated the Big Bang theory. From the scientists’ viewpoint, the Big Bang occurred approximately 13.8 billion years ago. When there is a beginning there will be an end. Thus, we can ask what caused the Big Bang (see What was before the Big Bang)? As old ones will be overtaken by new ones in history, new theories are being formulated, such as the Big Bounce Theory, to modify the Big Bang theory.

(2) The Mystic Time dimension

2.1   Should you find the above statements confusing, please take it easy as they are only meant for a preface. I am no expert in relativity or Big Bang. I only use them to trigger the following reflections. First of all, let us see what a dimension is. In terms of physics or mathematics, dimensions correspond to the minimum number of coordinates needed to specify an event. The number of these coordinates can also be regarded as the degree of freedom of the event. For example, in a 3-dimensional space, we generally enjoy 3 degrees of freedom (that is freedom along the length, width, and height dimensions).

2.2 Even though time is seen as a dimension, it is very different from the other physical dimensions. Why? First of all, the general spatial dimension is non-directional. For example, a person walking on the street can either go east or west as well as forward or backward. This person has the right to decide which way to go. As for “time”, it can only be moving forward but not backward (that is, the past). Thus, the past, the present and the future become a fixed sequence. Not only is it directional, it is also moving when compared to the other spatial dimensions which can be understood as stationary! For instance, when I say that I am writing now. Such a now becomes then as soon as I finish saying it if now is meant the very present moment. Unless I define now as a designated time period such as an hour, then I am still within such a “now” during the relevant hour.

2.3  For humans, time perception is mainly derived from acquired experience and training. Until now, no innate time perception or related sensing organs have been discovered (see Timing and time perception: A review of recent findings). It is obviously different from our innate perception of space (sensed mainly through sight and touch). As the saying goes: Time flies when you're having fun. Similarly, we may say, “Time is deadly when you are sad”. These sayings point out that our emotions will affect our perception of the passage of time. In addition, the patience of children is often less than that of an adult. For instance, to wait a week feels like months or even years to a toddler. A person living alone on an isolated island would lose the ability to distinguish the months and the years unless he insists on marking each day.

2.4   According to a documentary of the Vietnamese Tarzan dated 2016, it was reported that a Vietnamese father and his son lived in the jungle for 41 years in order to escape the war. At that time (2013), the 44-year-old son Ho Man Lang had no concept of time besides day and night when he was found by his elder brother. Man Lang didn’t even know that there were women in the world! In What we get wrong about time, a BBC report, it was mentioned that the Amondawa tribe in the Amazon, for example, has no word for time. These reports confirm that humans do not have an innate ability to perceive time. Indeed, some people will ask, "Does time really exist? Or is it just an illusion?" I don’t have the answer as St. Augustine (St Augustineon Time, p.1 Introduction) once said, "What is time? If no one asks me, I know. If I want to explain it to the inquirer, then I don’t know.”

2.5  I can only say that time is a mystic dimension. It may exist in reality or just be a human illusion! In any case, we mark the order of events by time, based on which, things and events in the world can be seen as a continuous manifestation or phenomena. We can also compare the durations of events by the time intervals they occur in.

(3) Is time real?

3.1  Let us try to examine whether time is a real being with scientific methods (observing, measuring and testing etc..). As we can only observe changes in things or events but not the invisible "time" element itself, we cannot use scientific methods to study time. We can neither deny nor affirm whether time is a real being. Similarly, we cannot use scientific methods to deny or affirm the existence of an invisible God.

3.2 In fact, scientific methods cannot discover the absolute truth pertaining to a certain thing (such as matter or energy) or event. We may ask, “Is the ultimate (absolute) truth in question a real being or a phenomenon? Scientific method cannot guarantee that the relevant arguments or principles are absolute and without omissions. Just as the falsifiability principle points out, scientific theories can only be correct to a limited extent because all experiments and tests have their limitations. For example, Newton's laws are revised by relativity and quantum mechanics which rectify the flaws of the former. To put it simply, today's scientific theories can be modified or even disproved by corresponding future ones.

3.3  Time is a mystic dimension. Although we lack the innate ability to perceive it, we still believe that it permeates all things and spaces. Our physical experience cannot be limited to only three spatial dimensions (length, width and height). It is only by adding the time dimension that we can describe our activities and experiences reasonably and clearly. As Christian believers, what is the significance of the foregoing statement?

3.4  It is undeniable that everything in the universe is still constantly changing. Time can be regarded as the carrier of these changes. If time is taken away from our activities or experience, the changes will become indescribable or even ineffable! When we mention ideas such as winter passes to spring or the cycle of seasons, they involve going, coming and cycling of events which always involve an element of time. Without time, such activities would be indescribable.

(4) Reflections from our Faith

4.1  We do have the concept of time as an average person. How does this concept affect us? Psalm 90 has the following 2 verses (vv1-2):

"Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God."

The psalmist believes that God has been the dwelling place (home and protection) of the Israelites from generation to generation. In addition, God is the God of eternity (infinitely long, whether it is in the past or in the future). In terms of time, God's existence is infinite!

"The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away." (v10) 

As mentioned above, life is only 70 to 80 years old which is obviously finite. What people can remember about their lives is only labor and sorrow. Their lives are cut off as the people fly away in the blink of an eye!

4.2    From the previous paragraph, we can see that the psalmist Moses lamented over life with an admiration and affirmation for God’s providence. When Compared to eternity, our life must be short. Although Moses' life experience is legendary, his prayer (v17) remains with his aspiration in the glory of God and his supplication that God will establish his fellows’ work for Israel. It is mentioned earlier in this article that time is deadly when we are sad. How come Moses sees his arduous life as flying away in the blink of an eye? Is there a contradiction? Yes, there is and yet it is also a characteristic of "time": Although we feel time is deadly in our hard time, we also feel that time is fleeting away once we have come out. As time is constantly advancing, what has passed is past. The Chinese poet Li Bai once wrote this line: "Forsaking me is Yesterday, Gone and remains no more!"[棄我去者，昨日之日不可留] We can note here that in addition to physical time, there is psychological time which is people's subjective feelings about time.

4.3  Speaking of psychological time, I would like to mention the so-called concept of timelessness in Heaven. This concept mainly comes from experiences by those who claim to have visited Heaven. They include out of body experiences (OBE) such as those of Emanuel Swedenborg and some Christians who have near death experiences (NDE) (also called resurrection from the dead). Take Swedenborg as an example, he said that there is no concept of time in heaven in his book "Heaven and Hell" (see 'Time in Heaven', p.88, ss.162-164). There is instead  changing states as experienced by angels in Heaven. In addition, according to a 2017 research report by Dr. Marc Wittmann, it was reported that about 61% of the respondents (NDE’rs) claimed that there is no time in Heaven. Let me mention here that the concerned NDE’s are subjective and their contents are beyond scientific investigation since we cannot factually observe the claims as said (e.g. heaven). We have no way to verify their reality. However, we believe that most of the interviewees have provided their memories honestly.

4.4    Does the Bible mention similar psychological time? Yes, it does. For example, Peter said that (2 Pet 3:8) with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. Moses also said that (Psalm 90:4): "For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.” There are two possible reasons to explain the said statements, namely:

1、 For God, the length of time is not as what we perceive. He can see a thousand years as a day [even a watch], or a day as a thousand years! In other words, time is flexible in God’s sight.

2、  God is the first cause of all things and time is created by God (St Augustine on Time see Introduction). So, only He can accurately define and interpret what time is.

Of course, God and us (as His creature) have similar emotions. In this perspective, a thousand years as a day may symbolizes the ordinary and smooth transition of days as in [Gen 5:27] wherein Methuselah is said to have lived a total of 969 years in passing. On the other hand, a day like a thousand years may be said of the Day when Jesus was crucified. Although life is short, when David wrote his poem (Psalm 103:15-17), he asserted that the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon those who fear him! From this we see that the infinity of God (such as His love) is not limited by the finiteness of humans!

4.5  The Bible teaches us to cherish time. For example, [Eph 5:15-17] teaches us to make the best use of time, not to be foolish but to understand what the will of the Lord Jesus is. The Greek word for time is καιρός (Kairos) which means a specific time period or opportunity. When referring to time in other scriptures (such as Luke 1:57), χρόνος (Chronos) is used. This term refers to the numerical time or time as a duration. From this, we can see that God asks us to cherish time, especially the appointed time such as the Israeli festivals of the Sabbath, the Sabbatical year and the Jubilee. We should seize up the opportunities available and make the best use of them to serve God and man.

4.6  Ecclesiastes (3:1) says that for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. The Hebrew word for season is﹝זְמָן﹞(zemân) which refers to an appointed occasion. [Ecc 3:2-8] further points out that there is a time for birth and death respectively, to break down and to build up respectively, to weep and to laugh respectively and even for war and for peace respectively. What? Are all these timings specified by God? If so, are our lives predestined? What does it mean? [Ecc 3:11] points out that God has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity in man’s heart and yet he cannot find out what God has done overall. God, as the first cause and creator of all creatures, must be infinite. Human beings’ finiteness is incapable of unlocking all the mystery of the infinite God. Nevertheless, God is the loving and almighty Creator. We should therefore believe that the world He created is meaningful and destined for His glory and beauty. 

4.7   Life nowadays can be said to be in a dilemma. On the one hand, we believe that the Creator God can solve and even transcend all current difficulties. On the other hand, we have to face the reality of injustice and suffering in the world. How then can we resolve such a dilemma? The key is probably embedded in the principle of faith, hope and love! As [1Corinthians 13:10-13] says,

"But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

4.8  One’s physical life is only a transition through which we may hope for a better life to come in one’s spiritual homeland. Now we are like tourists on earth while in the future we could become citizens of the heavenly kingdom! God has a requirement for His people who are still on earth: we need to believe and rely on Him. How can we rely on Him? Doesn't it mean to believe in Christ's redemption, to affirm our heavenly hope and to love each other regardless of the situation? Yes, it must be so. This is why the apostle Paul emphasizes that now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love! Faith, hope and love are the essence of our spiritual direction just as the essence of history is those of time, location and people. Time here refers to the era, the contemporary situation and opportunities. Location refers to the place, the region and the country in question. People are the contemporary people accordingly.

4.9  Faith in believing Christ Jesus is a present behavior while hope is the mindset bearing on the future fulfillment in the Lord. Love (both as a mindset and behavior) is eternal. What runs through these three is time. We should note that all creatures are upheld and regulated by the power of God (see Heb 1:3). Owing to changes in the world and some annoying situations therein, people's hearts are easily frustrated. It is a good reminder to us that the renounced sages in the past are known for their firm adherence to the principles they proclaimed. As believers in the Lord, we should therefore pursue the heavenly glory and our eternal spiritual homeland (see Heb.11:16). In this way, we should be able to hold on to the purposes of our life such as to love God and to love our neighbours as ourselves. For being faithful unto death, we can sweep ahead full sail in overcoming all obstacles in our lives so as to complete our earthly journey (see Heb 12:1-2).

(5) Summary

5.1 I have explained that time is a mystic dimension and that our innate perception cannot perceive time. Nevertheless, our memories and experiences make us feel the reality of time. Strictly speaking, what we perceive is the constant and sequential changes in things and events such as birth, aging, ailing and dying. Other examples include the diurnal and the seasonal cycles as obvious repetitions. When we are in an isolated environment, it is difficult for us to grasp the so-called standard or universal time. For example, Ho Wan Lang as mentioned in s.2.4 of this article had no concept of clock time when he was found by his elder brother because he had lived in the forest with his father for 41 years in isolation. In addition, the missionary Sister Ling Kwan-wei mentioned in her article (in Chinese only) that Ethiopia’s calendar and time confused her a lot. The reason being that Ethiopia adopts a 12-hour system instead of the usual 24-hour system. Besides, Ethiopians use a 13-month calendar instead of the usual 12-month Gregorian calendar. Even more strange is that their year is 7 years behind the Gregorian calendar!

5.2  Humans can send people to the moon nowadays. I would be happy to see that the authority will put a well-tuned atomic clock on the moon so as to verify if the moon clock would differ from our earth clock as suggested by relativity. In fact, many philosophers or poets in the past had been reflecting or imagining about the reality of time. For example, Su Shi’s (蘇軾) poetic line says, "What year is it in the lunar palace high up in the sky? I don’t know."[不知天上宮闕，今夕是何年] We have a Chinese proverb saying, "Seven days in the mountain transform to a thousand years in the world.” [山中方七日，世上已千年] These examples help to highlight human creativity which also involves our rationality and imagination as well as our free will in choosing.

5.3   If there is no time, what will the world be like? A reasonable guess is as follows. The world will continue to exist. However, as far as human cognition is concerned, we can only sense a cross-section of the reality one at a time. The concerned cross-section is similar to an X-ray image of the human body. In this token, we can only sense the latest scan image if there is no “time” (no past, no future). Thus, only the present (now) event is sensed by us. Without time, we are unable to recall the past or speculate into the future. An adult cannot then remember that he was once a baby, a child or had a certain meal in the past. As such, the world and its meaning would become weird and fussy without time. Indeed, our lives would not have a REAL meaning if there is no time.

5.4  Citizens of a civilized society would not find time strange nor would they deny its existence even though our perception of time is a nurtured ability. In a similar token, we can conclude that the Creator (God) does exist based on our observation and understanding of the creatures in the universe. Nevertheless, we still have the right to choose whether we would believe or disbelieve in the Creator. Our choice is based on our "free will" which is also something we can't see. Yet, with the fact that we can choose, we know that free will does exists. If we make good use of our free will and rationality, we can choose good over evil. We can also discover that the Creator is loving and righteous. God is also almighty and He will made everything beautiful in its time. Yes, this is our hope!

5.5   Time, as the carrier of world events, should be a providence by God. With time and in time, we can make meaningful reviews of our lives. For example, Zhong Zhi (莊子) said, "I make 3 reflections of myself in a day.” (吾日三省吾身) Of course, we still need a value orientation. For Christians, our value is inseparable from believing in the salvation of Jesus Christ and holding on to the hope of eternal life. It is also important to truly love one another according to God’s teachings. The love here is loving your neighbor as yourself. On the spiritual level, life reviews have an additional meaning or possibility. Many near-death experiencers tell us that their Life Reviews are so vivid and real that they are reliving their past experience and are acutely aware of the feelings involved - theirs and those affected by their decisions and actions. No wonder that the Bible teaches us to love our neighbor as ourselves because our feelings are open and transparent to each other in the spiritual realm.

5.6  Reflections on time can be various and diverse since the essence of world events are found upon the "time-location-people” elements. Yes, you can conduct relevant reflections over such events whether they are from the Bible or other writings as long as you are willing. The possibilities and varieties are truly ineffable. The concerned understanding or enlightenment may at times be indescribable and beyond words. Why? We note that the reality of world events is fundamentally determined by whether or not there is a first cause (God). If there is, can God be discovered by us? With today’s understanding of mass-energy in quantum physics, people have discovered that the seemingly conserved and persisting material world is actually a “probabilistic phenomenon” in its microscopic scale. The scientists even infer that there are dark matter and dark energy in the universe. Is it a bit strange?

5.7 As an ordinary person, thinking about the mystery of time can broaden our horizons and even increase our interest in understanding the world. Our focus here is on the teachings of the Bible. We are taught to cherish our time, be watchful and prayerful so that we can discern between right and wrong. Consequently, we should turn away from evil and do good, etc… The guiding principle is to love your neighbor as yourself and to hold on to hope in the face of difficulties as Paul (Romans8:24-25) has said, "For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see (e.g. the mystery of time), we wait for it with patience.” Paul is convinced that we will return to the Lord Jesus one day, and we will acquire a full knowledge of life and God’s purposes then. May the Lord protect and guide us with such a hope. Amen.

See Chinese Version here.