This article discusses one facet of the Copernican revolution, with the goal of establishing a basic proposition: Philosophy plays a pivotal role in the dialogue between science and religion.
Do modern cosmological theories provide adequate answers regarding the origins of the universe? How do they relate to the biblical picture of the origin of our world?
Refined observations in the universe have, to some extent, encouraged scientists to admit that a large number of physical conditions in our universe must coincide for the existence of life. This unexpected view opens the door to the possibility that the universe might not just be a result of pure random processes, but that it has been carefully designed with the right conditions for life.
Spectacular astronomical images recently released by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) cause Christians to ponder the question of Numbers 23:23, “What hath God wrought!” (KJV). Our unique worldview gives us a pretty clear idea of why we are, how we came to be in this condition, and where we are going, but the JWST helps us better understand our place in the universe. It’s a grand place indeed!
What are some of the ways in which astronomers seek to find an earthlike planet or one that could be inhabited?
At the time of the writing of this article the earth remains the only place in the universe where humans have been able to empirically detect life and its signatures. Why is it so? Is the earth special?
While studying astronomy at a university with the motto “Sun of Righteousness, shine upon us,” Mart de Groot embraced Christianity, inspired by Psalm 19:1, and began exploring the interplay between science and faith, finding that God’s character traits, such as love, power, and order, are reflected in astronomical phenomena. This article reveals Earth’s creation as a focal point of God’s love for humanity, while catastrophic events like the Flood or solar flares mirror the moral consequences of the Fall.
The universe’s finely tuned structure, seen in the precise properties of atoms, points to intentional design rather than chance. Scientific explanations like the Big Bang or quantum fluctuations fail to account for the origin and asymmetry of matter, making the case for a purposeful Creator, the divine Logos (John 1:1).
Our beautiful, immense and complex universe relies on the precise values of fundamental physical constants like the masses of protons and neutrons, the strong interaction constant, and the ratio between gravitational and electromagnetic forces. Small deviations in these constants—such as a 1% increase in neutron mass or a 2% change in the strong interaction constant—would prevent the formation of stable elements or stars, rendering the universe as we know it impossible. The improbability of these constants aligning by chance challenges the idea of random occurrence. This suggests purposeful intelligent design, as described in the biblical creation account.
Does the Big Bang Theory integrate directly with the biblical cosmogony? Should individual Christians feel intellectually obligated to adopt and defend the Big Bang Theory? Article published on Perspective Digest, v.24/4.
Einstein’s general theory of relativity was published in 1915. It again made headlines in 2017 with two major reports about gravitational waves that further confirmed the theory’s last remaining major prediction. On October 3, the detection of gravitational waves from coalescing black holes was awarded a Nobel Prize. On October 16, the observation of correlated gravitational and electromagnetic (light)…
If given the choice where in our Milky Way galaxy you would prefer to live, where would you go? To one of those newly-discovered extra-solar planets the media get enthusiastic about when water has been detected there? Before you answer these questions remember that, beyond the presence of water, many other conditions must be fulfilled before any planet can support the continued existence of life as-we-know-it,…
This point cannot be overestimated. Galileo wasn’t fighting against the Bible, but against an interpretation of the Bible dominated by the prevailing scientific dogma, which for centuries had been Aristotelianism.
This second part of a series on the Precambrian describes Precambrian rock exposures, as well as the atmosphere, climate, and Precambrian life. Many illustrative pictures are included, and design examples and creationist ideas are interspersed throughout.
This first section of a 3 parts series on the Precambrian summarizes the standard model for formation of the Universe, Solar System and Earth, Moon, oceans, continents, and plate tectonics. Brief references to the Universe, Sun, and Moon are included because what happens beyond Earth sets the stage for what happens on Earth during the Precambrian and in the Genesis 1 account.
This article describes evidence for what appears to be physical design on Earth, in the universe, and in the basic laws of nature. Some have used the examples of design as arguments for the God of religion as the intelligent designer; others have explained the design naturalistically. Some pros and cons of the arguments will be outlined along with cautions in using the arguments.
Finally, if intelligent life exists on the Earth, does it exist elsewhere? The last few years have seen an extensive search for earth-like planets orbiting other suns besides our own, where the conditions would be right for other intelligent beings to exist. Hundreds of such planets have been discovered and possibly some have the right conditions to be inhabited. The Seventh-day Adventist community does in fact believe that other intelligent beings exist besides humans, and perhaps they could live on such planets.
While AP is comprehensive, it cannot be segmented to suit specific homiletic or apologetic agendas. Appealing to one example of fine-tuning implies them all, and fine-tuning means exactly that!
A review of the book The Privleged Planet: How Our Place in the Cosmos is Designed for Discovery. Published in Origins n. 60.
Review of The Origin of the Universe. Published in Origins n. 58.
