Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit in on a Bethany class? Are you curious about the content and connecting together the name, photo, and classes taught by the professor? Or maybe you would simply like to pause the busyness in your life to learn more about mathematics, music, communication, chemistry, etc.?
Amid the Trees highlights the expertise of our professors at Bethany by inviting you into their classroom and seeing a sample writing of their outstanding work.
The Edge of the Infinite: Mathematics in God’s Creation
By Julie Kjeer, Professor of Mathematics/Dean of Faculty
The intricate geometry of a snowflake, the self-similarity of fern branches, and the vast expanse of a coastline bordering an immense ocean all captivate us with their beauty and mystery. Beneath their surface lies a profound truth: these wonders are united by mathematical patterns that reflect the order, creativity, and design of their Maker. As Psalm 19:1 declares, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” Mathematics serves as a unique language, revealing the precision and harmony embedded in creation.
Take, for example, the snowflake. Its sixfold symmetry is not a mere coincidence but a consequence of the molecular structure of water and the geometric principles governing crystal growth. While each snowflake is a one of-a-kind marvel, all follow the same mathematical laws.
Just as the snowflake’s symmetry reflects deep mathematical rules, so too do many other patterns in nature. Among the most striking are fractals—shapes that reveal repeating patterns at every scale, from the branching of trees to the jagged contours of a beach. The defining characteristic of a fractal is that its dimension is not a whole number but a fractional value. Mathematicians measure this complexity using the Hausdorff dimension, calculated with the formula D=ln(N)/ln(r) where N is the number of self-similar pieces and r is the scaling factor.
A well-known example is the Koch Snowflake, which has an infinite perimeter but a finite area. Its dimension, approximately 1.26, lies between the first and second dimensions—between a line and a plane. The coastline of Australia has a fractal dimension of about 1.13, while Norway’s rugged coast measures around 1.52. The writer Italo Calvino once described such coastlines as “the edge of the infinite,” a phrase that captures both their physical and metaphorical allure.
Fractal analysis is not only an elegant way to describe irregular shapes and patterns, but also a practical tool with real-world applications. In medicine, it helps identify abnormal patterns in blood vessels, aiding in the detection of conditions such as cancer. Engineers have adapted the branching patterns of blood vessels to design silicon chip layouts that improve cooling. Suspension bridge cables, like those supporting the Golden Gate Bridge, use repeating structural patterns to achieve remarkable strength. In this way, the mathematical structures God has woven into creation inspire human creativity — a conversation between the Maker’s design and our own innovations.
From the delicate geometry of a snowflake to the endless complexity of a coastline, mathematics invites us to see creation through a lens of wonder. It is more than a set of abstract concepts or a utilitarian tool. It is a way of perceiving the beauty, precision, and complexity of the world around us. As we explore these patterns, we are drawn into awe and reverence for the Creator who sustains it all. Through mathematics, we glimpse a world that proclaims the glory of God, inviting us to reflect on the divine order woven into every detail of creation.