Over the next several posts we will be looking at several arguments for the existence God. We will overview these arguments with some of the major evidences, keeping in mind that each piece can be researched at depth. Last week we looked at evidence from a Biblical perspective and two philosophical arguments for the existence of God. This week we will look at evidence from Cosmology:
The Cosmological Argument for the Beginning of the Universe
Premise #1: Whatever begins to exist must have a cause; all effects must have a cause.
*Premise #2: The Universe began to exist (all that we see in the universe, the second law of thermodynamics and the explosive beginning known as the big bang, are evidence of effects requiring a cause).
Premise #3: Therefore, the Universe has a cause (evidence of an effect implies a cause, therefore there must be a causer).
*We must provide evidence for premise #2 for premise #3 to be true.
What do we mean when we say evidence? Watch this short clip from RZIM (Ravi Zacharias International Ministries):
According to the laws of Physics and Chemistry:
God’s creation and everything that we know to exist has the following properties: Time, force, energy, space and matter…
Genesis 1:1 gives us these same properties when it describes God’s act of creation:
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”
- In the beginning = time
- God = force
- Created = energy
- The heavens = space
- and the earth = matter
The Cosmos (Universe)
Carl Sagan would say in his 1980’s PBS show: The Cosmos is all there is, all that ever was and all that will ever be. This could be considered the “Atheist’s Creed.” Scientists, like Sagan, had assumed that the Universe was static and constant, without a beginning, but the Kalam argument in philosophy challenges this and concrete scientific evidence from cosmology backs it up!
Cosmological evidence for Intelligent Design of the Universe:
- The second law of thermodynamics (the law of entropy)
In a closed system the amount of useful energy is moving toward zero, or in other words it is being used up. A closed system is where no matter or energy can come in from the outside. Within this system you have energy in it and over time it is being used up (entropy).
Relating this law to our Universe scientific evidence shows that the Universe is winding down, energy is being lost, and stars are cooling. Like a hot cup of coffee it is not going to remain static. The inference: If something is coming to an end, it must have had a beginning.
The Bible tells us that God has set it up this way…
In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.
–Psalm 102:25-27
- The Theory of Relativity
In 1905 Albert Einstein unintentionally proved that the Universe was expanding when he proposed the theory of relativity (he thought he had made a calculation error).
In 1920 Edwin Hubble and his studies confirmed Einstein’s theory and showed that there was an expansion happening in the Universe and movement of the galaxies was going away from the earth. This is confirmed based on measurements of Red Shift, Background Radiation, and Background Noise.
The Bible also tells us that in God’s creation of the Universe He did it this way…
This is what God the LORD says – he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spreads out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it…
–Isaiah 42:5
- The Big Bang Theory
- Definition: The sudden and immediate expansion resulting from an explosive beginning.
- Confirmed based upon Einstein’s work, Hubble’s experiment, the red shift evidence, background radiation and background noise – together this is overwhelming evidence of a sudden and explosive beginning
- To simplify, think of rewinding a tape – If everything is expanding, or moving out, then by rewinding we can take things back to an initial point of beginning or singularity.
- Astronomer Sir Fredrick Hoyle coined the term “Big Bang” in 1950
- On April 24, 1992 ABC News Nightline reported on the implication of the Big Bang in support of a Biblical account of creation.
J. Warner Wallace presents the cosmological evidence from a perspective of a detective, watch his 28 minutes presentation on Cosmological evidence from his book “God’s Crime Scene:”
“That there are what I or anyone would call supernatural forces at work is now, I think, a scientifically proven fact.”
-Robert Jastrow, Astronomer and Director of Mount Wilson, Founder of NASA’s Goddard Institute of Space Studies
“If the universe is continually expanding, then at earlier points in history, it must have been smaller and smaller. This literally represents the origin of the universe from nothing.”
– Dr. William Lane Craig
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
–Psalm 19:1-4
Oh LORD, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praises because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. 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? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the sea. O LORD, our lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
–Psalm 8
Concluding thought on the Cosmological Evidence:
For something to be caused/created there must have been a reason or purpose in the Creator’s mind. Could it be that He desired a relationship with His creation? The evidence is found in the fact that He loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us in order to bring us back to that lost relationship (John 3:16).
Reflection
- What is the Cosmological argument for the existence of God (three premises)?
- In your own words, give two supporting examples that you can share with someone.
- Prayer focus: God’s creation of the Universe
Bible Study
Each week we will do a Bible study to practice our Bible study skills. This week read or re-read 1 Corinthians chapter 3, then answer the following questions:
- What did Paul mean when he compared the Corinthians to infants? (3:1-5)
- What does Paul say about himself and Apollos that could be said about any leader in the Church today? (3:6-15) How can we test the teachings (foundation) of a Christian leader, and what should it be built upon? (3:11)
- What does Paul teach about the dwelling of the Holy Spirit? (3:16-17) Cross-reference by reading John 14:16-29 and 16:7-15. What does Jesus say about the Holy Spirit?
- How does Paul contrast wisdom with foolishness of the world? (3:18-23)
Extra Credit: Are there other passages in the New Testament that warn us about the so-called “wisdom of this world”? Cite them:
Join us next week as we continue our case for Christianity with more evidence for the existence of God.
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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in! Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.
Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.
Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.
Teri Dugan
TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com
1 Peter 3:15
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