Chaos Theory and God’s Design

Several years ago, a friend of ours read a book on chaos theory and shared some of the ideas with our family. We were fascinated as he described to us the incredible concept of fractals—patterns within patterns that result from the application of random numbers to simple nonlinear equations. One such equation captivated us. As random numbers are plugged into the formula, then plotted on a graph as simple dots, no pattern is immediately discernible.

But as additional random numbers are calculated, the pattern of a leaf begins to emerge. As additional numbers are run, it slowly becomes clear that the formula is producing the image of a fern. Is this the chaos of random numbers or the design of our Creator? God’s maintenance of order in our world, even in apparent chaos, can be a source of great comfort and security for those of us who seek to know Him.