Newton thought the Universe was a machine.

Jeans (or was it Eddington?) believed it was a lot more like a thought.

I've always thought it most resembled a simulation, a computer model. But I must admit I never would have thought of that if I weren't already familiar with the concept of computer models and simulations. There are probably an infinity of other alternatives, none having to do with anything we think of as the Divine.

In modeling, the math is easy, but there are so many combinations and permutations that you quickly lose track of what you're doing. The only thing you can do is tweak a few parameters and run it again until the results are more acceptable. "Hmmm...lets alter the charge/mass ratio of the electron" and see if I can resolve that Weak Force problem..."

God either alters the rules as he goes along, or he has finally got it right and doesn't fiddle with them any more. And are we the final, desired product, or an unanticipated minor development of no particular significance? Perhaps we are an accidental side-result not worth going to the trouble of rerunning the job to correct.

Then again, maybe whether or not we eat meat on Fridays really matters to this mad scientist.