Feedback Control

• Definition: Feedback control involves monitoring the output of a system and making adjustments to align it with a desired goal. ​ For example, a thermostat adjusts heating based on the current temperature. ​
• Application to God’s Interaction:
  • God uses feedback mechanisms to guide individuals and communities. ​ He observes human actions and adjusts circumstances to steer them toward His purpose. ​
  • This process is dynamic and ongoing, allowing for course corrections when individuals deviate from their intended path. ​
  • The model likens God’s guidance to a “smart thermostat” that continuously learns and adapts to individual behavior. ​
• Spiritual Analogy:
  • When someone resists God’s plan, their spiritual journey resembles an underdamped system, marked by oscillations and turbulence (e.g., Jonah’s resistance to God’s call). ​
  • When someone hesitates or passively resists, their journey resembles an overdamped system, progressing slowly and requiring extra effort. ​
  • When someone fully surrenders to God’s will, their journey resembles a critically damped system, unfolding smoothly and efficiently. ​

Feedforward Control

• Definition: Feedforward control anticipates potential disturbances and adjusts inputs proactively to prevent errors before they occur. ​ For example, slowing down before a curve while driving. ​
• Application to God’s Interaction:
  • God’s omniscience allows Him to foresee future events and proactively guide individuals and communities. ​
  • Unlike feedback, which reacts to past actions, feedforward control anticipates and shapes outcomes in advance. ​
  • This aligns with the theological concept of divine providence, where God actively shapes the future while respecting human free will. ​

Hybrid Model

• The book emphasizes that God’s interaction with the world is best understood as a hybrid system that combines both feedback and feedforward control:
  • Feedback: God responds to human choices and actions, gently steering individuals back on track when they stray. ​
  • Feedforward: God anticipates future possibilities and orchestrates events to align with His divine purpose. ​
  • This dual approach ensures that God’s guidance is both reactive (responding to human actions) and proactive (shaping future outcomes). ​

Nonlinear and Adaptive Nature ​

• The model incorporates nonlinear feedback to account for the complexity of human life and free will:
  • Life’s journey is not linear; it involves setbacks, oscillations, and unexpected challenges. ​
  • Positive feedback (amplifying certain actions) and negative feedback (stabilizing the system) work together to guide individuals and communities. ​
  • God’s guidance adapts to each person’s unique circumstances, ensuring a personalized and meaningful journey. ​