Like Attracts Like

Here is another insight from Newton, his law of universal gravitation:

Therefore the force of gravity towards any whole planet arises from, and is compounded of, the forces of gravity towards all its parts. Magnetic and electric attractions afford us examples of this; for all attraction towards the whole arises from the attractions towards the several parts. (S. Chandrasekhar, Newton’s Principia for the Common Reader (Oxford: Clarendon, 1995), 371.)

So, a force exerted on a mass is met with an attractive force on the opposing mas. We often see the law of attraction in action as the law of gravity.

A basketball, for example, which weighs between 20 and 22 ounces (560 to 625 grams) bouncing on the surface of the earth actually attracts a planet with a mass of 6.0 × 1024 kilograms or 6.0 sextillion metric tons.

Think about that the next time you shoot baskets in your driveway! Every time you bounce that ball on your driveway, it is by comparison an infinitesimal mass, really, attracting a mass of galactic proportions. You are more powerful that you realize.

Another place we observe attraction is in classical field theory, which relates to electromagnetism and gravitation, where, in the theory of electrostatics, like charges repel each other and unlike charges attract. This behavior is explained in Coulomb’s law,  named after the French physicist Charles-Augustin de Coulomb, a contemporary of Napoleon. It is actually similar to or another demonstration of the Third Law of Motion.

Just as I have no trouble accepting the law of gravity—a readily observable expression of the law of attraction—I have no trouble accepting the less observed spiritual or law of attraction. Like gravity, I have seen it, felt it, experienced and crashed into it. It is real.

In the law of attraction, we observe that like attracts like. On the surface, this may seem counter to Coulomb’s law where positive and negative electrical charges repel each other, but you can also think about it this way: We know that a gravitational force attracts an opposing force, creating a gravitational attraction. In the case of electrostatics, a positive electrical charge attracts a negative charge. In one respect they are not alike, as one is positive and the other negative. But in another sense they are both alike in that they are both electrical charges. An electrical charge is not attracting wood or a stone or a mineral—it is attracting an opposing electrical charge. So in this significant respect, they are very much alike.

Newton's Third Law of Motion

If you are acquainted with the physical sciences, the Law of Attraction will be a familiar term to you. Among the first to describe this law was Sir Isaac Newton whose Third Law of Motion—the Law of Reciprocal Actions—appeared in his Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, published in Latin in 1687. Here is a translation of part of Newton’s Third Law from Principia. I find it fascinating:

To every action there is always opposed an equal reaction: or, the mutual actions of two bodies upon each other are always equal, and directed to contrary parts. Whatever draws or presses another is as much drawn or pressed by that other. If you press a stone with your finger, the finger is also pressed by the stone. If a horse draws a stone tied to a rope, the horse (if I may so say) will be equally drawn back towards the stone; for the distended rope, by the same endeavour to relax or unbend itself, will draw the horse as much towards the stone, as it does the stone towards the horse, and will obstruct the progress of the one as much as it advances that of the other...This law takes place also in attractions...

Though we can’t see the effect of this law easily with the naked eye, nevertheless, if you push on a stone with your finger, the stone pushes back!

In other words, a force placed upon a physical body or entity will always be met with an equal and opposing force. Another way to put this is that a force attracts an opposing force. Likely this is where the concept “opposites attract” comes from.

I think of these opposing actions or forces like these two arrows pointing at each other:

This science, I believe, is at the root of the idea of the law of attraction.

Note: Newton’s understanding of this law was influenced by the earlier work of Galileo, Johannes Kepler, and others, and is further refined in his own law of universal gravitation (see S. Chandrasekhar, Newton’s Principia for the Common Reader, (Oxford: Clarendon, 1995) 370) and the work of later physicists.

The Law of Attraction and the Bible Now on Amazon® Kindle™

With more and more people buying the Amazon Kindle I've now produced a version of The Law of Attraction and the Bible in Kindle format. If you have a Kindle, you can purchase the book via the link to the right. Yes, the price is discounted—Amazon manages the distribution, which makes life easier for you and me.

The Law of Attraction, Revealed in the Bible

Is the Law of Attraction in the Bible, or is it just New Age thinking? That may worry some, but not you. Why? Because the Law of Attraction is clearly taught in the Bible. In fact, the Bible provides some of the most powerful evidence of the Law of Attraction than any other source.

In addition to the over 100 Bible verses cited in support of the Law of Attraction, the book The Law of Attraction and the Bible also covers many topics that support this premise, such as:

• How Newton's Third Law of Motion and Law of Universal Gravitation apply to the Law of Attraction.
• How Coulomb’s law shows how attraction exists in classical field theory, which relates to electromagnetism and gravitation.
• The meaning of internal (atomic) energy, vibration, and the zero-point field.
  
• How our thoughts work, and their role in what we attract to ourselves.
• The meaning of "The Universe."
  
• Why nothing is impossible to God.
• Asking, seeking, and knocking.
• The role of gratitude and affirmations in our lives.
• The role of wealth in religious life.
  

One thing we must remember is that the Law of Attraction doesn't tell the whole story, because there are other important laws in the Universe, such as the Laws of Justice, Mercy, and Free Will (Agency) which also have a major impact on our lives. This book helps you reconcile the role of the Law of Attraction with the teachings of the Bible, especially those of Jesus, who clearly was one of the Law of Attraction's strongest advocates.

So if you are ready to find the answers to the question, "What does God think of the Law of Attraction?", this book is for you!

To buy a copy of the book, just click a button to the right. The price of the e-book is USD $12.00. After your pay for the book, you will be sent the book or an email with a link for downloading the book The Law of Attraction and the Bible in PDF format.

A Review of the Law of Attraction and the Bible

Thanks also to Dawn Norton for her review of the book. I really appreciate it!

"The Law of Attraction, as taught in the wildly popular DVD and book The Secret , is all the rage now. When I first heard of the Law of Attraction and began reading about it two years ago, I thought, 'That sounds like the Law of the Harvest. You reap what you sow.' After seeing the movie The Secret, I was more intrigued to see if I could find it's principles in the pages of scripture. I found dozens of examples of the Law of Attraction. I continue to be fascinated as I read the Bible and find little gems that correspond to the movie The Secret, on an almost daily basis.

"Then I read the book The Law of Attraction and the Bible by Michael Fitzgerald. His words confirmed and expanded what I have learned in my study of the Bible; that the Law of Attraction has spiritual roots in the Bible and that we can surely live its principles with the blessing of God. For those who found any discomfort or apprehension in hearing about the Law of Attraction for the first time, this book settles the question as to whether or not we can use the steps in The Secret with confidence as Christians. Michael not only explains the principles that can obviously be supported by scripture, he also offers great insights and makes wonderful connections that show his strength of discernment, sincerity, and originality of thought.

"If you have ever asked questions like, 'What is stopping me from being successful? Can I really achieve anything I want? Is it OK to be wealthy?' and many more, then you owe it to yourself to read The Law of Attraction and the Bible."

A Review of the Law of Attraction and the Bible

I want to share with you a book review for The Law of Attraction and the Bible from Tamara Laing. Thank you, Tamara!

"When I first read about the Law of Attraction, I was angry. There was no way I had anything to do with attracting the trials I dealt with. However, as I read more about what I called the 'supposed' law, my entire perception changed. I was no longer a victim of circumstances! I started to believe I really had power to change my thoughts and my situation.

"I discovered that even just reading about the Law of Attraction gave me hope and lifted my depression. That was years ago. When I saw The Secret I was already convinced it had true principles because they had worked in my own life. For me, the Law of Attraction is all about faith in God.

"Michael Fitzgerald's book uncovers a bigger secret. He reveals aspects of the Law of Attraction in Jesus' own words over and over again. You'll be amazed at his insight! The Law of Attraction and the Bible is a must read for skeptics and believers alike.

"I read this book so fast that I can hardly wait to go back and reread a hard copy. I will underline passages, write in the margins, and dog ear the pages, like I do all the good books I read! This one is terrific!"