Paper by professor to appear in conference proceedings
A paper by Dr. Richard Melka, professor of mathematics, will appear in the conference proceedings for Metaphysics 2009: Fourth World Conference held in Rome, Italy.
In his paper, “Uncreated Energy, Trinity and Mathematical Analogy,” Melka notes that light is more than a metaphor.
God’s first spoken words, “Let there be light,” in Genesis 1:3 give light a special significance in the universe, he writes.
“Three relevant facets are physical, metaphorical and uncreated light,” Melka said. He notes that the appearance of “uncreated light,” in the form of one and three lights, has been consistently documented by Christians since the early 4th century.
Melka’s paper discusses a geometrical analogy of the Christian Trinity that displays the interaction of the three persons and creation.
“Uncreated energy, of which uncreated light is one form, is also experienced as a real force in a variety of ways,” Melka said, “either encompassing the body or experienced in the brain. This has led me to consider the importance of mathematical analogy and, more generally, to consider the importance of such experiences.”
Melka is a past recipient of a Templeton prize for a science-religion senior colloquium given in previous years. Currently he teaches a freshman seminar on the same topic.
He has completed several courses at Christ the King Seminary and has an ongoing interest in mathematics and theology, especially in concepts relating to the Christian Trinity.
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