One of the blessings of the Sabbath is to remember our Creator. Exodus 20:11 states, “For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.” The word “therefore” in this verse points us back to what has gone before. In essence we are being told, “As a result of God making the heavens, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, God rested the seventh day.” God wants us to look back to what was brought into being by the Creator.
With the Creator in mind, I’d like to refer to the word: cosmology—a noun that is defined as “the science of the origin and development of the universe. Modern astronomy is dominated by the Big Bang theory, which brings together observational astronomy and particle physics.”
Over my years in the Church, I have always believed the entire universe came into being as a result of “a big bang.” It seemed a reasonable explanation. My view was there was nothing until God decided to bring the physical universe into being. In a great burst of energy, the universe began. However, that theory is just that “a theory.”
In last weeks, current events section published in the October 31, 2015 Houston bulletin another theory was posed in the article, New Astronomy Findings Challenging Big Bang Theory, by Tom Olago, October 27, 2015. The article reads, “Researchers in the field of astronomy have recently announced what is described to be a ‘truly monstrous’ structure, consisting of a ring of galaxies around 5 billion light-years across. Reported findings show that the seemingly unprecedented galactic ring, which was revealed by nine Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs), is located 7 billion light-years away.
“These GRBs, and by extension the galaxies they inhabit, are believed to be somehow associated since all nine are located at a similar distance from Earth. The odds of this distribution are said to be as low as 1 in 20,000. This means that they are very likely associated with the same structure; which structure should not even exist according to cosmological models led by the famous ‘Big Bang’ theory.
“The ‘Big Bang’ theory is an effort to explain what happened at the very beginning of our universe. Scientific findings have shown beyond a reasonable doubt that our universe did in fact have a beginning. The ‘Big Bang’ theory is an effort to explain what happened during and after that moment.
“It’s proponents in effect dismiss the possibility that the universe was directly created by God, and even the possibility that the ‘Big Bang’ is just an attempt to be scientifically descriptive of a process God may have chosen to use in creating the universe.”
As I considered this new theory of the origin of the universe, which might overturn “the Big Bang Theory”, how does this impact my overall view of the origin of the universe? Interestingly, it does not overturn what the Bible says in any way.
We are told, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). God brought all into being. God does not explain what method He used to bring all into being. We as human beings can seek the origins of the universe, but it is a daunting task given the vastness of the heavenly realm.
The Apostle Paul also speaks of how all came into being, “For by Him (Jesus Christ) all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16). Again, we are reminded of the Originator of the universe.
It is likely that theories of the origin of the universe will change over time and this side of the coming of the Kingdom of God we may never know the exact beginning point of origin. If we do figure out the origin of the universe it will be a most interesting piece of information. But regardless of the cosmological theory we know that, “. . . without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6).
Each Sabbath, we are to remember the Creator regardless of what cosmological theory holds sway in the realm of men.
Rejoice in the Creator this Sabbath.
Gary Smith
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