It’s a subject that doesn’t get a lot of airtime, but cosmology strongly points to a creator at work.
According to astrophysicist Dr Hugh Ross, there’s cosmic evidence for a God who is:
- a transcendent God.
- a personal, loving God.
- a redeeming God.
Speaking at the Reasonable Faith Conference earlier this year, he said: “We base our worldview on the evidences and theory that yields the highest probability of correctness.”
A CREATOR THAT TRANSCENDS SPACE AND TIME
Dr Ross highlighted the fact that the Bible has a lot to say about the universe’s origin.
These are just a few of the passages that speak of a transcendent God and a singular beginning.
- Genesis 2:3-4
- Hebrews 11:3
- John 1:3
- Psalm 148:4-5
- Colossians 1:15-17
“There’s a good deal of cosmology in the Bible… It’s a remarkable conception,” he commented, citing a quote from English astronomer and mathematician Sir Fred Hoyle.
Today we can scientifically test these declarations.
Dr Ross referred to the space-time theorems, which suggest that “any universe that expands on average has a space-time beginning”.
This implies that there’s a causal agent outside space and time that moves events along this space-time continuum.
This is why he believes that a transcendent God – who creates independent of space and time – must exist.
A PERSONAL GOD
But that’s not all. Cosmology points to a personal creator too.
Dr Ross drew attention to the Bible, which talks about the expansion of the universe in several parts of scripture:
- Job 9:8
- Isaiah 40:22
- Isaiah 44:24
This is substantiated by the recent discovery of dark energy, a concept that only came to light around 1999.
Comprising 74 per cent of the universe, dark energy is the dominant factor governing cosmic expansion. Cosmic expansion rate determines what kinds of stars and planets form.
Here is the most spectacular known evidence for supernatural design, shared Dr Ross.
According to scientific studies, dark energy was showed to be so carefully fine-tuned to the point that even a slight error would not have made carbon-based life possible.
Such a level of fine-tuning for life is miraculous.
The only reasonable conclusion is that there is a personal being who manifests that level of fine-tuning, inferred Dr Ross.
A WORLD WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED
Even more astounding is the fact that we live in a unique time, one moment in history that allows us to witness this cosmic creation event.
If we were created later or earlier, this would not have been possible, points out Dr Ross.
We’re here at the right place and time, as it’s only at around 14 billion years after the cosmic creation event that humans can observe all of cosmic history.
He said: “The universe is designed for us to explore. He wants us to have the joy of curiosity.
“The more we learn about nature and the more we learn about science, the more evidence we uncover for the supernatural handiwork of God.”
For example, in 1991 there were 17 known features of cosmic design for simple life. Today that number stands at more than 180.
“There is someone who wanted us to read the full book of scripture and the full book of nature,” said Dr Ross.
So what are we supposed to do with this knowledge?
REDEMPTION IS NEAR
Dr Ross’ third point was that the universe was created to make redemption possible.
Some may ask: Why would God subject us to so much decay?
But one might be surprised that even the law of decay has been designed with care.
The decay rate is not so high as to discourage us from productive work, but not so low as to let sin go unrestrained, explained Dr Ross.
The Bible too makes reference to this decay.
“For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.” (Romans 8:20-23)
God designed the universe, Earth and Earth’s life for the redemption of billions of humans and the eradication of evil, said Dr Ross.
Because of this, we await a time in the future when His glory will be revealed.
- Which part of the universe or nature interests you?
- Do you find it easy to believe that the world was designed by a loving creator?
- What does redemption mean to you?