Isaac Newton

Sir Isaac Newton, PRS (25 December 1642 (OS) – 20 March 1727 (OS) / 4 January, 1643 (NS) – 31 March 1727 (NS) was an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, philosopher, and alchemist. Recognised as a genius of the highest order, he is widely regarded as the most influential scientist in history. He wrote the Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica (published 5 July 16871), where he described universal gravitation and, via his laws of motion, laid the groundwork for classical mechanics. Newton also shares credit with Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz for the development of differential calculus. While they both discovered calculus nearly contemporaneously, their work was not a collaboration.

Religious views

The law of gravity became Sir Isaac Newton's best-known discovery. Newton warned against using it to view the universe as a mere machine, like a great clock. He said, "Gravity explains the motions of the planets, but it cannot explain who set the planets in motion. God governs all things and knows all that is or can be done."

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Newton also wrote:

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:?This most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent Being. ? This Being governs all things, not as the soul of the world, but as Lord over all; and on account of his dominion he is wont to be called ?Lord God? ??????????? , or ?Universal Ruler?. ? The Supreme God is a Being eternal, infinite, absolutely perfect.?5

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:?Opposition to godliness is atheism in profession and idolatry in practice. Atheism is so senseless and odious to mankind that it never had many professors.?6

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Though he is better known for his love of science, the Bible was Sir Isaac Newton's greatest passion. He devoted more time to the study of Scripture than to science, and said, "I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God, written by those who were inspired. I study the Bible daily."

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Newton is often accused of being a unitarian and arian, and not believing in the church's doctrine of divine trinity. However, T.C. Pfizenmaier argued that he more likely held the Eastern Orthodox view of the Trinity rather than the Western one held by Roman Catholics, Anglicans and most Protestants.7

Related Topics:
Unitarian - Arian - Divine trinity - Eastern Orthodox - Roman Catholic - Anglican - Protestant - 7

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He unsuccessfully attempted to find hidden messages within the Bible (See Bible code).

Related Topics:
Bible - Bible code

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