by w4tvq » July 21st, 2008, 5:50 pm
Perhaps Paul Tillich can be of help with this question. Tillich describes [what we can grasp of] God as the Ultimate Ground of All Being. Which is to say, everything that is, is because it subsists in Him. I think this is the message that is contained in John 1:1-14 as well: all things were made by The Word of God. As Genesis puts it, He [i]said it[/i], and it was.
It follows that it only continues to be if He continues to sustain its existence. Everything -- the physical universe, the mind, the soul, everything would cease to be if He ceased to sustain its being. He alone is self-existent.
Within the context of the existing physical universe there are, of course, numerous constants -- E=MC2, Planck's constant, the speed of light, etc., yet all of these would cease the instant there were no physical universe for them to describe. Presumably He could will to discontinue supporting the being of the physical universe and yet continue to support the exitence of the spiritual (metaphysical) universe -- i.w., the mind, soul and spirit. It is, of course, the contention of much of Christianity that that is precisely what will come to pass.
Thanks for a most interesting question.
JMO
Art