Synchronicity is the
idea that events can be related in meaning or in purpose, without being linked
by cause-and-effect. This usage of the word synchronicity is
usually traced to the work of psychologist Carl Jung. Any instance of a
perceived connection between two events, where there is no clear common cause,
can be considered an example of synchronicity. There is no debate over whether
or not human beings experience synchronicity; such moments are a common part of
life. The controversy over the idea arises when determining what such events
actually mean, if they mean anything at all.
Here are some examples of events that might cause us to experience synchronicity:
– Unexpectedly thinking about an old friend, then randomly encountering him later that day.
– Calling a person on the phone, only to find he is calling you at the exact same time.
– Thinking of a particular song moments before it begins to play on the radio.
– Dreaming about playing a musical instrument, then seeing that same instrument on sale at a store.
– Unintentionally finding a Bible verse that seems directly related to a current spiritual struggle.
As with any attempt to discern meaning, it is possible to take an unnecessarily extreme approach to synchronicity. The extreme positions detailed below are evidence of dogmatism, not reason, and certainly not good sense.
According to the die-hard spiritual skeptic, there can be no connection between events unless the events have a common cause. Such a skeptic rejects any possible truth behind feelings of synchronicity. The skeptic’s automatic response to meaningful coincidences is an appeal to apophenia, the natural human tendency to form patterns out of essentially random arrangements. Taking this extreme runs the risk of making a person spiritually deaf.
According to the die-hard spiritualist, every event is linked in some way. Such a person assumes a synchronous explanation for all seemingly related events and defends every coincidence as a “sign,” an “omen,” or some other message from the universe that requires action and attention. Taking this to the extreme runs the risk of making a person superstitious.
The Christian View provides a specific approach to synchronicity. This starts with recognizing that it is entirely possible for coincidences to actually be meaningful. The Christian view teaches that God is the Creator of the universe and that He interacts with that creation, providing a common (ultimate) cause for all possible events. That is to say, God is capable of causing whatever we experience, so it’s possible that, when we experience synchronicity, God really is trying to tell us something.
On the other hand, Christianity also recognizes that some coincidences are exactly that coincidences. While God is sovereign over every part of His creation, not everything that happens is meant as a message from heaven. Christ Himself used the phrase by chance when telling the parable of the good Samaritan (Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. (Luke 10:31, ESV). Modern skeptics often use chance to mean “without cause,” but this is not what Jesus was referring to. Rather, as did other ancient philosophers, Jesus used the term chance to refer to a moment when two separate lines of cause-and-effect interact.
In other words, from a Christian standpoint, all things happen for a reason. But that reason is not necessarily an overt message from God. This why one should compare everything to the written Word (Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17:11; Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 1 John 4:1; All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16; For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12). So we can rely on more than feelings or assumptions, when we interpret our experiences. Synchronicity is a common feeling for everyone, but, as with any other feeling, we must apply wisdom before acting on it.
Here are some examples of events that might cause us to experience synchronicity:
– Unexpectedly thinking about an old friend, then randomly encountering him later that day.
– Calling a person on the phone, only to find he is calling you at the exact same time.
– Thinking of a particular song moments before it begins to play on the radio.
– Dreaming about playing a musical instrument, then seeing that same instrument on sale at a store.
– Unintentionally finding a Bible verse that seems directly related to a current spiritual struggle.
As with any attempt to discern meaning, it is possible to take an unnecessarily extreme approach to synchronicity. The extreme positions detailed below are evidence of dogmatism, not reason, and certainly not good sense.
According to the die-hard spiritual skeptic, there can be no connection between events unless the events have a common cause. Such a skeptic rejects any possible truth behind feelings of synchronicity. The skeptic’s automatic response to meaningful coincidences is an appeal to apophenia, the natural human tendency to form patterns out of essentially random arrangements. Taking this extreme runs the risk of making a person spiritually deaf.
According to the die-hard spiritualist, every event is linked in some way. Such a person assumes a synchronous explanation for all seemingly related events and defends every coincidence as a “sign,” an “omen,” or some other message from the universe that requires action and attention. Taking this to the extreme runs the risk of making a person superstitious.
The Christian View provides a specific approach to synchronicity. This starts with recognizing that it is entirely possible for coincidences to actually be meaningful. The Christian view teaches that God is the Creator of the universe and that He interacts with that creation, providing a common (ultimate) cause for all possible events. That is to say, God is capable of causing whatever we experience, so it’s possible that, when we experience synchronicity, God really is trying to tell us something.
On the other hand, Christianity also recognizes that some coincidences are exactly that coincidences. While God is sovereign over every part of His creation, not everything that happens is meant as a message from heaven. Christ Himself used the phrase by chance when telling the parable of the good Samaritan (Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. (Luke 10:31, ESV). Modern skeptics often use chance to mean “without cause,” but this is not what Jesus was referring to. Rather, as did other ancient philosophers, Jesus used the term chance to refer to a moment when two separate lines of cause-and-effect interact.
In other words, from a Christian standpoint, all things happen for a reason. But that reason is not necessarily an overt message from God. This why one should compare everything to the written Word (Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17:11; Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 1 John 4:1; All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16; For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12). So we can rely on more than feelings or assumptions, when we interpret our experiences. Synchronicity is a common feeling for everyone, but, as with any other feeling, we must apply wisdom before acting on it.
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