Scientific discoveries prove that the universe was created at a specific instant of time. What are these discoveries and how do they prove that God created the universe? How is the design of the universe a testament to God?

 

 

 

Now more than any other time in history we have an abundance of scientific evidence regarding the creation of the universe and the way it works. This evidence, though surprising to some scientists, is very consistent with the concept of God as the Creator. Let's look at how recent discoveries and the design of the universe are testaments to God's creative power.

Discoveries Prove Creation Event Occurred

"It is the discovery of the century, if not of all time." -- Stephen Hawking, Cambridge University

"What we have found is evidence for the birth of the universe...It's like looking at God" -- George Smoot, University of California at Berkeley.

[The idea that God created the universe is] "a more respectable hypothesis today than at any time in the last hundred years." -- Frederic B. Burnham, science historian.

The scientists were referring to a discovery on April 24, 1992 by an American research team from data obtained through the COBE (Cosmic Background Explorer) Satellite. This discovery substantiated the "big bang" theory of the creation of the universe. The "big bang" theory states that "the entire physical universe -- all the matter and energy, and even the four dimensions of space and time -- burst forth from a state of infinite, or near infinite, density, temperature and pressure. The universe expanded from a volume very much smaller than the period at the end of this sentence, and it continues to expand." 1

Discoveries prior to COBE had shown that the universe was expanding, as would be expected after an explosive creation event. Earlier COBE missions had shown that the universe must have had an extremely hot beginning 15 to 20 billion years ago because the background radiation temperature is now very low and smooth. But scientists expected to find slight variations in the background radiation. These variations would explain how galaxies "clumped" while background radiation remained smooth. The April 1992 COBE measurements and subsequently released data showed exactly the kind of slight variations in background radiation that scientists expected to find. Scientists now know that the universe was created by a single hot explosive creation event.

 

Einstein Believed in a Creator

Einstein's equations of general relativity, published in 1915 and 1916 provided profound implications about the origin of the universe. These equations show that the universe is simultaneously expanding and decelerating, a phenomena best described as an explosion. The fact that the universe was created by an explosion implies a Beginner who caused the explosion. Einstein resisted this conclusion and initially tried to hypothesize a new force of physics that would cancel out the deceleration and expansion factors, allowing the universe to be in a static state for an infinite period of time. However, in 1929, astronomer Edwin Hubble measured forty different galaxies, proving that the galaxies are expanding away from each other.

As a result of Hubble's findings, Einstein acknowledged "the necessity for a beginning"5 and "the presence of a superior reasoning power"3. He did not accept, however, that the "superior reasoning power" was the God of the Bible.

Einstein was Jewish but had been educated at a Catholic school. When rabbis and priests came to congratulate him on his discovery of God, he replied that he was convinced that the God that brought the universe into existence was intelligent and creative, but he denied that God was personal. He couldn't get beyond the paradox of God's omnipotence and man's responsibility for his choices:

"If this being is omnipotent, then every occurrence, including every human action, every human thought, and every human feeling and aspiration is also His work; how is it possible to think of holding men responsible for their deeds and thoughts before such an almighty Being? In giving out punishment and rewards He would to a certain extent be passing judgment on Himself. How can this be combined with the goodness and righteousness ascribed to Him?6"

 Unfortunately, none of the rabbis or priests could provide him a satisfactory answer, rather they said that God had not yet revealed the answer and that he should blindly trust Him.

Einstein could not accept that answer and did not pursue the idea of a personal God any further. He held to the idea of an intelligent Creator but never accepted the idea of a personal God.

For an answer to Einstein's question about the paradox of God's omnipotence and man's responsibility for his choices, see the article in this issue, "Beyond the Created Dimensions".

 

 

Creation Event Implies a Creator

How does a single hot, explosive creation event prove the existence of God? Many belief systems that deny the existence of God have resisted the idea of a "big bang" creation event, instead favoring hypotheses such as the Steady State model, which claims the universe has always existed or the Oscillating Universe model, which claims the universe expands and contracts, essentially recreating itself, without requiring an ultimate beginning. The proof of a creation event, or beginning of the universe shakes the foundations of non Judeo-Christian belief systems -- for there to be a beginning, there must be a Beginner, outside of our universe.

The argument for the existence of God follows.2

1. Everything that begins to exist must have a cause of its existence.

2. The universe began to exist (we can scientifically prove).

Therefore, the universe must have a cause of its existence.

Einstein, who initially discovered that the universe was expanding and decelerating (which pointed to a "big bang" creation event) came to accept the idea of a beginner, or "superior reasoning power"3, but did not accept the idea of a personal God, such as the God of the Bible (see "Einstein Believed in a Creator").

The physical properties of the universe are also a testament to a Designer. When we examine the universe, we see not a random conglomeration, but a very carefully crafted design.

Physical Evidence Substantiates an Intelligent Creator

Most of us take for granted the environment in which we live and the scientific properties that make our life here possible. For example, we may think that the stars we see are beautiful, or perhaps may have planets of their own where perhaps there may be other life, but few of us realize that the approximately hundred-billion-trillion stars must be there for life to be possible on earth. The stars comprise the mass density of the universe, which determines how efficiently nuclear fusion operates. If the mass density was too great, the stars (for example our sun) would have burned too quickly and not steadily enough to support a planet with life. If the mass density was too small, the heavier elements necessary for life would have never formed.

Supernova eruptions which regularly occur in our universe are necessary to produce elements such as iron and calcium which are essential for life.

 

Key Properties of the Universe Must Fall Within Narrow values to Support Life

  • Strong nuclear force constant
  • Weak nuclear force constant
  • Gravitational force constant
  • Electromagnetic force constant
  • Ratio of electromagnetic force constant to gravitational force constant
  • Ratio of electron to proton mass
  • Ratio of protons to electrons
  • Expansion rate of the universe
  • Entropy level of the universe
  • Mass density of the universe
  • Velocity of light
  • Age of the universe
  • Initial uniformity of radiation
  • Fine structure constant
  • Average distance between stars
  • Decay rate of the proton
  • 12 Carbon to 16 Oxygen energy level ratio
  • Ground state energy level for 4 Helium
  • Decay rate of 8 Beryllium
  • Mass excess of the neutron over the proton
  • Initial excess of nucleons over antinucleons
  • Polarity of the water molecule
  • Supernova eruptions
  • White dwarf binaries
  • Ratio of exotic to ordinary matter

Table 1. Basic building blocks for life depend on a very delicate, finely-tuned balance of the physical properties of the universe. This table lists twenty five properties of the universe which values must fall within very narrow ranges in order for life to exist.

 

Values of Some Key Properties of the Universe Required to Support Life

Physical Condition

Result of Deviation in One Direction

Result of Deviation in Opposite Direction
To support life, elements must bond together to form molecules. Two factors are required to allow molecular bonding. They are:
  • Strength of the force of electromagnetism
  • Ratio of the mass of the electron to the mass of the proton
  • If the force of electromagnetism was greater, atoms would not share electrons with other atoms
  • If the ratio isn't delicately balanced, chemical bonding could not take place
  • If the force of electromagnetism was weaker, atoms could not hold on to electrons
Atoms must be able to form to provide the elements required for life molecules. To support formation of atoms, the strong nuclear force, the weak nuclear force and gravity must each be delicately balanced.
  • The strong nuclear force determines the degree to which protons (some components of atoms) stick together.
  • The weak nuclear force governs the rates of radioactive decay
  • The strength of the force of gravity determines how hot the stars burn
  • If the strong nuclear force was slightly greater (0.3% stronger) life would be impossible because all protons and neutrons would bind together. There would be only heavy elements in the universe
  • If the weak nuclear force was much stronger, matter would be converted into heavy elements
  • If the force of gravity was stronger, stars would burn up too quickly and erratically for life to exist
  • If the strong nuclear force was slightly weaker (2%) life would be impossible because protons and neutrons would not stick together. Only one element, hydrogen would exist in the universe
  • If the weak nuclear force was much weaker, matter would remain in the form of the lightest elements
  • If the force of gravity was weaker, stars wouldn't be hot enough for nuclear fusion; no heavy elements would be produced
There must be the right number and mass of protons, neutrons and electrons in the universe in order to have life.
  • Neutrons are and must be 0.13% more massive than protons
  • The number of electrons must be equal to the number of protons
  • If neutrons were an additional 0.1% more massive, there wouldn't be enough of them to make heavy elements necessary for life
  • If the number of protons and electrons aren't balanced, galaxies, stars and planets would have never been formed because electromagnetic forces would have overcome gravitational forces
  • If neutrons were 0.1% less massive, protons would more rapidly decay into neutrons and all the stars in the universe would have collapsed
The rate of expansion of the universe is how it must be to support life
  • If the universe expanded more quickly, matter would disperse and not form into galaxies, stars or planets
  • If the universe expanded too slowly, matter would clump too much and the universe would collapse in a super-dense lump

Table2. The delicate balance of the values of the properties of the universe required for life is evidenced by this sample of key values and the results of varying the values any direction

 

 

Physical Evidence Substantiates an Intelligent Creator

Most of us take for granted the environment in which we live and the scientific properties that make our life here possible. For example, we may think that the stars we see are beautiful, or perhaps may have planets of their own where perhaps there may be other life, but few of us realize that the approximately hundred-billion-trillion stars must be there for life to be possible on earth. The stars comprise the mass density of the universe, which determines how efficiently nuclear fusion operates. If the mass density was too great, the stars (for example our sun) would have burned too quickly and not steadily enough to support a planet with life. If the mass density was too small, the heavier elements necessary for life would have never formed.

Supernova eruptions which regularly occur in our universe are necessary to produce elements such as iron and calcium which are essential for life.

Indeed, the basic building blocks for life depend on a very delicate, finely-tuned balance of the physical properties of our universe. Table 1 lists the twenty five characteristics that researchers have uncovered that must fall within narrow ranges for life to exist. Table 2 describes some of these characteristics in more detail.

Earth - Uniquely Able to Support Life

It is interesting to speculate about the possibility of life on other planets in other galaxies, however scientists have calculated the probability of life existing elsewhere in the universe at much less than one chance in a quintillion4.

The earth is very uniquely suited to support life. It resides in a spiral galaxy that has the right rate of supernova events to provide sufficient heavy elements essential to life, without life-destroying radiation. Our sun is the right distance away from other stars in our galaxy to prevent gravitational interactions that would disrupt orbits of the planets, yet still have an even distribution of the heavy elements necessary for life.

Our sun has the very specific mass that is necessary to maintain a temperature suitable for life on earth. The distance between the sun and the earth is correct to maintain the earth's current rotation rate and to maintain the correct temperature to sustain life. Planets closer to the sun, such as Venus or Mercury have rotation periods of months which create wide temperature differentials incompatible with life. The distance between the sun and earth is also what it must be to support the stability of liquid water, which is necessary for life to exist. If the distance between the sun and earth changed as little as 2%, all life would cease to exist.

The moon also is as it must be to support life on earth. It is unique in our solar system in that it is large relative to its planet. It's resulting gravitational pull stabilizes the tilt of the earth and also helps the sea waters be cleansed and their nutrients replenished through the tidal cycle.

We have described just a few of many parameters of the earth, moon, sun and galaxy that must fall within very narrowly defined ranges for life to exist. Table 3 lists some of the parameters that must be just as they are to have life on earth.

 

 

 

Physical Properties of Earth and Solar System Necessary to Support Life

There must be one sun (or "parent star") to support life If more than one sun in planetary system, tidal interactions would disrupt planetary orbits If no sun planetary system, heat produced would be insufficient for life
The distance from the earth to the sun is just as it must be to support life If the earth was farther from the sun, the planet would be too cool for a stable water cycle If the earth was closer to the sun, the planet would be too warm for a stable water cycle
The atmosphere has the correct mixture of gases: 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, .93% Argon, .035% carbon dioxide and .035% other gases If the atmosphere had 25% oxygen or more, spontaneous fires would break out because oxygen is flammable.

If the atmosphere had more carbon dioxide, the earth may become warmer (greenhouse effect)

 If the atmosphere had 15% oxygen of less, air breathing creatures would suffocate

If the atmosphere had less carbon dioxide, plants would starve
The surface gravity escape velocity is as it must be to support life If just a few percent stronger, the atmosphere would retain methane and ammonia (molecular weights 16 and 17) If just a few percent weaker, the planet's atmosphere would lose too much water (molecular weight 18)
Tilt of the earth's axis (23.5 degrees) gives us our moderate seasons If the tilt was greater - for example, Uranus has a 98 degree tilt - such a tilt on earth would cause periodic continental flooding and long periods of darkness If the earth's tilt was less - for example, Venus has no tilt - the lack of tilt would cause equatorial areas to grow hotter and the ice caps to expand
Proximity of moon is correct If 1/5 the distance away, tides would completely submerge continents twice a day If no close moon, the earth would "wobble", as does Mars, causing vast irregularities of tilt, thus extreme variations in climate
Rate of earth's rotation is correct If 1/10th the present rate, plant life would burn during the day and freeze at night If faster, wind velocities would rise to catastrophic levels, For example, Jupiter has a 10-hour rotation period and thousand mph winds
Thickness of the earth's crust is correct If the crust was thicker, too much oxygen would be transferred from the atmosphere to the crust If the crust was thinner, volcanic and tectonic activity would be too great
The water vapor level in the atmosphere is as it should be If the water vapor level was greater, runaway greenhouse effect would develop If water vapor level was less, rainfall would be too meager for advanced life on the land
Color of the sun is correct If the sun was more red, the photosynthetic response would be insufficient If the sun was more blue, the photosynthetic response would be insufficient

Table 3. Some of the parameters that must be just as they are to have life on earth.

 

 

What Does This Tell Us About God?

The Designer of our universe created everything we know out of nothing (a volume much smaller than the period at the end of this sentence). "By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible." -- Hebrews 11:3.

God must exist outside the four dimensions in which we live: length, width, height and time, for Him to have called them into being (see "Beyond the Created Dimensions" in this issue). He is an eternal, transcendent Creator. Scripture speaks of his existence before the beginning of time: "This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time" -- 2 Timothy 1:9; "...you loved me before the creation of the world." -- John 17:24; "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth -- Genesis 1:1.

 The design of the universe, the galaxy, the solar system and our planet are just as they must be to support life on earth. This design speaks of God's omnipotence, His skill as a Creator and His wisdom. The intricacies of design, the interrelationships, interdependence, function and beauty of His design are awesome. His design also speaks clearly of how much He cares for us. When we consider that a hundred-billion-trillion stars are necessary to support human life, we can begin to understand the amount of care God took to construct the universe just so it can support life on our planet. "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" -- Psalm 8:3-4.

The universe speaks very clearly indeed about our Creator, Who is eternal, wise, powerful, omnipotent, and most assuredly, cares very much about us.

References

Primary references for this article and good books for further study include The Creator and the Cosmos by Hugh Ross (Colorado Springs, CO.: Navpress, 1993) and The Fingerprint of God by Hugh Ross (Orange, CA: Promise Publishing Co.,1991).

1 Ross, Hugh, The Creator and the Cosmos. (Colorado Springs, CO.: Navpress, 1993), p. 20.

2 Craig, William Lane. The Kalam Cosmological Argument. (London, U.K.: Macmillan Press, 1979), pp. 63-153.

3 Barnett, Lincoln. The Universe and Dr. Einstein. (New York: William Sloane Associates, 1948), p. 106.

4 Ross, Hugh, The Creator and the Cosmos. (Colorado Springs, CO.: Navpress, 1993), p. 134.

5 Douglas, A. Vibert, "Forty Minutes with Einstein," Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada 50 (1956), p. 106.

6 Einstein, Albert. Out of My Later Years. (New York: Philosophical Library, 1950) pp. 27-28.

 

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