Before defining entropy, it should be noted that this concept comes from the laws of thermodynamics.
These laws are summarized:
1st law of thermodynamics: this is the law of energy conservation, that is, the total amount of mass-energy in the universe is constant, it does not increase or decrease over time. Our universe is a closed system in which this law operates, nothing comes from the outside and nothing decreases.
2nd law of thermodynamics: this is the law of depletion of useful energy, that is, the amount of energy available to perform work decreases, and entropy increases to a maximum.
Some, without delving deeper into the concept of entropy, call it simply "disorder" or "chaos", this is not an entirely accurate definition. It would be more accurate to say that entropy is a measure of energy that is not spent on useful work, that is, it is a mathematical term - a criterion that determines the level of disorganization of matter and energy in a system, in Greek it sounds like ἐντροπία “turn”, or “transformation ". Useful energy gradually "turns" into useless, and entropy measures this process. The level of disorder or chaos in the universe is steadily increasing, and the order in systems is decreasing.
If the total amount of mass / energy has limitations, and the energy available for work decreases, then we conclude that the universe could not exist forever, it has a beginning and will have an end. Otherwise, it would have already spent all the useful energy for today, and the "heat death" of the universe would have come. So, the material world appeared at some point in the past with a large margin
But there is one important point in the second law of thermodynamics. The entropy of one system (open) can decrease due to an increase in another system. For example, the sun consumes its energy, which flows into the Earth system and sustains life. However, the entropy in thermonuclear fusion in the sun is much greater than the decrease in entropy on our planet. But this process is simply not enough to produce "order" out of "disorder". Let's take an example of an elephant in a china shop. If the elephant's energy is not directed by the mind in the right direction, for example, to useful work on the transfer of weights at a construction site (reducing the entropy at a construction site due to the energy of the elephant's system), then the uncontrolled flow of the elephant's energy into the china shop will increase the entropy. We need a directing and organizing, a reasonable factor of influence.
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But no matter how the exchange of useful energies between open systems occurs, one thing is inevitable, the total entropy grows and the "thermal death" of our entire universe is approaching, no scientist will argue with this.
What is the heat death of the universe? “This is a state in which all the energy is evenly distributed, and the temperature of all particles will cool down to the temperature of absolute zero. According to scientists, although the universe will continue to exist, it will almost forever be deprived of life."
It is impossible to abolish entropy, because it is a physical law, which was established by God himself, no scientific progress and development of technology can prevent the increase in total entropy.
What does the Bible say about entropy?
If we return to the beginning of everything, then we see that everything created by God was absolutely perfect and the entropy at the beginning of creation was equal to zero … this is one of the opinions. When did entropy appear? There is another opinion that entropy was already laid down initially at creation.
(Genesis 1:31)
- And God saw everything that He created, and, behold, it is very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
But then, after an important life event for all generations of people, everything changed dramatically …
(Genesis 3: 17-19) The punishment of Adam by God for his rebellion against Him (the fall):
- And he said to Adam: because you listened to the voice of your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, saying: do not eat of it, cursed is the land for you; with sorrow you will eat of it all the days of your life;
- thorns and thistles she will grow for you; and you will eat the grass of the field;
- in the sweat of your face you will eat bread, until you return to the ground from which you were taken, for dust you are and to dust you will return.
Whether entropy was a curse after the Fall or not, we do not know for sure, but it is known, if you believe the Bible, that we live in a cursed world, to which there is wear, aging, destruction and eventually death. We all observe these processes since childhood, but many do not know the reasons for these processes.
According to the apostle Paul …
(Romans 8: 20-22)
- because the creature (creation - the entire material world) submitted to vanity not voluntarily, but by the will of the one who conquered it, in hope, - that the creation itself will be freed from slavery to corruption (entropy) into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
- For we know that all creature collectively groans and suffers to this day …
But this will not always be so, there will be an end to this world, and not even because of the "heat death" of the universe, but much earlier …
(2 Peter 3:10)
- The day of the Lord will come, like a thief (thief) at night, and then the heavens will pass away with noise, the elements, having flared up, will be destroyed, the earth and all the works on it will burn …
The day will come when God himself will judge all people and absolutely destroy the entire old world, infected with sin and entropy, and there will be a new beginning …
(Isaiah 65:17)
- For behold, I am creating a new heaven and a new earth, and the former will no longer be remembered and will not come to the heart.
These words are a great consolation to the hearts of all who trust the Bible, trust the words of God. One day we will get rid of diseases, from all pain, from death, and most importantly from the destructive influence of sin on our body and soul. One day, entropy will disappear forever, and the times of "entropy" will practically be erased from our memory.