Formally, chaos theory is
defined as the study of complex nonlinear dynamic systems. Complex implies just
that, nonlinear implies recursion and higher mathematical algorithms, and dynamic
implies nonconstant and nonperiodic. Thus chaos theory is, very generally, the
study of forever changing complex systems based on mathematical concepts of recursion,
whether in the form of a recursive process or a set of differential equations
modeling a physical system.
For a more rigorous definition of chaos theory, it is advisable to visit the much
more scientific, much more broad-reaching chaos network definition, in their excellent
HTML document, What Is Chaos Theory?, also available in a text only version.
Misconceptions
about chaos theory
Chaos
theory has received some attention, beginning with its popularity in movies such
as Jurassic Park; public awareness of a science of chaos has been steadily increasing.
However, as with any media covered item, many misconceptions have arisen concerning
chaos theory.
The most commonly held misconception about chaos theory is that chaos theory is
about disorder. Nothing could be further from the truth! Chaos theory is not about
disorder! It does not disprove determinism or dictate that ordered systems are
impossible; it does not invalidate experimental evidence or claim that modelling
complex systems is useless. The "chaos" in chaos theory is order--not simply order,
but the very ESSENCE of order.
It is true that chaos theory dictates that minor changes can cause huge fluctuations.
But one of the central concepts of chaos theory is that while it is impossible
to exactly predict the state of a system, it is generally quite possible, even
easy, to model the overall behavior of a system. Thus, chaos theory lays emphasis
not on the disorder of the system--the inherent unpredictability of a system--but
on the order inherent in the system--the universal behavior of similar systems.
The
assumption is that all random events, actions, and byproducts can be reduced to
a theory, and this is claimed to be a science. Since science does not consist
of random patterns, but predictable patters, the inventors of the Chaos Theory
used the world "chaos" with the word "theory," and this is
thought to give definition and order to chaotic events and products. Can you see
how mad this is? Just because you give a cat the name Napoleon does not mean you
have anything resembling a French ruler.
The
world today is, pardon me now, chaotic with inventions of the mind which are total
fictions. People run after these inventions and get a rush out of trying to mentally
understand nonsense. This is a result of the Renaissance where man became the
object of all things, and God was relegated to Calvin's Institutes and archaic.
Free thinking took hold, and whatever you think is OK, even if no one else in
the world has a clue what you are talking about.
1
Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
1
Corinthians 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward
they that are Christ's at his coming.
24 Then cometh the end, when he shall
have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put
down all rule and all authority and power.
Christ
is the ultimate object of order in the universe and in the world and its people.
Why? Because he made everything that was made. So, if what Christ made appears
to be chaotic, that is simply because your mind is chaotic and full of self-love
and sin.
1
Corinthians 15:35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with
what body do they come?
36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened,
except it die:
37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that
shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
38
But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men,
another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
40 There
are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial
is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
41 There is one glory
of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for
one star differeth from another star in glory.
42 So also is the resurrection
of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
So,
some fools see the glory of God in people, creation, or behavior, and they reject
God, so they find another definition. Chaos. Nothing it predictable according
to them. This is the most wicked blasphemy against God-- to deny his creative
order and say chaos created itself.