The Universe

The Faith Question

Has the world always existed? Or did it have a beginning? If it began,what is your belief about how it began?

My Answer

"Has the world always existed?" - This is the million dollar question that scientists all over the world are trying to answer. Well, Genesis 1:1 gives us the answer very clearly, but often, the simplicity of answer makes it 'beyond-comprehension'. It is my belief that the creation of the Universe and Earth happned at a finite moment, i.e. when God decreed it.

The problem arises when anyone with a scientific bent of mind, including myself, try and fit this explanation into our limited understanding of time / space and other such concepts. Forgive me for straying into this area, but this discussion has been very close to my accepting the Word, especially the facts of 'Creation' mentioned in the Bible.

When we talk about the two rival scientific theories of the creation of the universe, i.e. 'Continuity' and the 'Big Bang', I must say that I believe in the 'Big Bang'. The theory conforms to the notion of the Universe being created at a finite instant, as mentioned in the Bible. But there is also certain problems with subscribing to such a theory. (#1) The 'Big Bang' theory is only our 'latest' understanding of the creation of the universe from the scientific perspective. Although it has its route in works done as early as 1910, the theory has been refined and has gained importance only after the '60's...and has been made concrete by recent observations of space. The main postulate of this theory is that about 14 billion years ago, the universe was a densely packed 'singularity'...and over the years has been expanding. Therefore, I must mention that this theory is limited by our current scientific knowledge. (#2) Lack of theological connection. The problem with scientific theories is that they often stated in a context that excludes any Theological aspects. Who or what is this 'singularity'? What triggered this 'singularity' to start expanding?

It is my belief that this 'singlularity' is our limited understanding of the physical manifestation of God before the creation of the Universe. I have explained this is the past as the 'finger print' of God when he switched on the Universe in Genesis 1:1. But most people, Christians and non-Christians alike are amenable to such a simple explanation. However...this 'is' my belief. God's word says that He created the universe. We have Theological proof and scientific proof. But scientifically we can only percieve his 'finger print'; and we may never have the means to percieve more than that using purely a scientific frame. So the scientific and the theologic, in this case, can never be exclusive. The scientific explanation is just what we are 'capable' of seeing of the wonder of the theological aspect.

If we can just see it this way then I firmly believe that the schism between science and theology will disappear. We will never think of science as an alternative understanding, but one that makes us himble in knowing the fact that we can just about graze the surface of His is wonderous work, as per His will.

"I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted..." (Exodus 15:1)