God’s Fingerprint in the Universe

One of the most compelling pieces of evidence for the existence of God lies in the fine-tuning of the universe. Scientists have discovered that numerous physical constants, such as the strength of gravity and the value of the cosmological constant, must be precisely set to allow for the development of life. Even a slight alteration in these values would render the universe uninhabitable.

The remarkable precision and delicate balance required to sustain life in the universe strongly suggest a purposeful design. Such intricate fine-tuning implies the presence of an intelligent Creator Who carefully fashioned the universe with the intention of supporting life. Psalms 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Billy Graham once said, “The existence of the universe is evidence enough for me that God created it. The intricacy and complexity of the cosmos point to a divine design.”

For one to ignore this evidence is scandalous to the point that the Bible says that such an individual is “wilfully ignorant.” “For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water” – 2 Peter 3:5 (KJV).

Big bang theory

According to the Big Bang theory, the universe began in an extremely hot and dense state approximately 13.8 billion years ago. It states that all matter, energy, space, and time originated from a singularity—a point of infinite density and temperature. The universe then rapidly expanded and cooled down, undergoing a process known as cosmic inflation. As it expanded, matter and energy started to form, which eventually led to the formation of galaxies, stars, and other cosmic structures.

This theory has its issues. The joke question is “Why did the Big Bang go to therapy?” the answer is, “It needed to work out some universal issues.”

Cosmic inflation

Modern cosmology has revealed that the universe is in a state of constant expansion. Our moon, for instance, is moving away from the Earth at an average speed of approximately 3.8 centimeters (1.5 inches) per year. This universal expansion is supported by extensive observational evidence. Edwin Hubble, for instance, observed in the 1920s that the light from distant galaxies shifted towards longer wavelengths (known as redshift), indicating that they were moving away from us. He discovered a linear relationship between the distance of a galaxy and its recessional velocity, known as Hubble’s Law. Additionally, astronomers have observed that distant supernovae (extremely bright stellar explosions) appear fainter than expected. This dimming effect, known as time dilation, occurs because the light from these supernovae has travelled across an expanding universe and has been stretched to longer wavelengths.

Galaxies are actually moving away from each other, indicating that in the past, the universe was denser and hotter. The theory of cosmic inflation proposes that a rapid expansion occurred in the early moments of the universe that scientists attribute to the Big Bang, leading to the formation of the universe as we know it.

A problem emerges as we grapple with the mystery of why the universe appears to be geometrically flat rather than curved. The flatness problem arises from the fact that the universe appears to have extremely flat geometry. Even a slight deviation from this critical density in the early universe would have led to a dramatically different universe today. For the Big Bang theory to be true, the universe’s density must have been extremely fine-tuned in its early stages to achieve this flatness.

Another problem we encounter is the horizon problem. Regions of the universe that are currently too far apart to have had any direct interaction with each other appear to have the same temperature and exhibit similar properties. This muddies the waters for Big Bang proponents because these distant regions of space, based on their current separation, have not had enough time to exchange information since the beginning of the universe.

Divine inflation

Cosmic inflation, with its idea of a rapid expansion from a primordial state, resonates with Biblical accounts of creation. This expansion was so quick that it smoothed out irregularities in the fabric of space-time, leading to the remarkably uniform distribution of matter and energy observed in the universe today. The precision required for this expansion to occur in just the right manner to allow for the formation of galaxies and cosmic structures is awe-inspiring. The intricate balance of initial conditions and the laws of physics necessary to drive cosmic inflation indicate the presence of a Guiding Hand at the initial stage.

Divine inflation offers the solution to the flatness and horizon problems. The alignment between the predictions of inflationary models and the observed characteristics of the universe suggests a purposeful orchestration, indicative of a Divine Planner.

This concept of God stretching out the universe is mentioned multiple times in the Bible. It explains the expanding universe theory known as cosmic inflation in modern science.

Isaiah 40:22 (NIV): “He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He STRETCHES OUT the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.”

Job 9:8 (NIV): “He alone STRETCHES OUT the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.”

Psalm 104:2 (NIV): “He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he STRETCHES OUT the heavens like a tent.”

Isaiah 42:5 (NIV): “This is what God the LORD says—the Creator of the heavens, who STRETCHES THEM OUT, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it.”

Isaiah 45:12 (NIV): “It is I who made the earth and created mankind on it. My own hands STRETCHED OUT the heavens; I marshalled their starry hosts.”

Jeremiah 10:12 (NIV): “But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and STRETCHED OUT the heavens by his understanding.”

The creation story

God, the ultimate Architect and Creator, exists beyond the boundaries of space and time. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” – Genesis 1:1 (NIV). In an act of divine intention, He initiates the expansion of the universe, unfolding His divine plan, and stretching the fabric of space itself.

Just as an artist paints a canvas with ever-expanding strokes, God breathes life into the cosmos, allowing it to evolve and flourish over vast stretches of time. As the universe expands, it mirrors the awe-inspiring power and limitless nature of God. This expansion, guided by divine wisdom, leads to the formation of galaxies, stars, and other cosmic structures.

As He stretched out the universe, God fashioned a small planet and located it in the Solar System, which is a part of the Milky Way galaxy. The Milky Way itself is just one of the billions of galaxies in the observable universe. In terms of size, this small planet is relatively modest. It has a diameter of about 12,742 kilometers (7,918 miles) and a mass of approximately 5.97 x 1024 kilograms. In comparison to the vast expanse of the universe, it seems insignificant.

God places this planet within a habitable zone known as the “Goldilocks zone.” He places the planet at a suitable distance from the sun to sustain a stable average temperature and allow for the presence of liquid water, a fundamental requirement for life as we know it. Additionally, He encloses the planet in a protective atmosphere that helps shield it from harmful radiation and provides the necessary gases for respiration and climate regulation.

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone?” – Job 38:4-6 (NIV).

What makes Earth truly exceptional is its ability to support and sustain life as we know it. The unique combination of factors, such as Earth’s optimal distance from the sun, its composition of gases in the atmosphere, and its dynamic geology, have harmoniously come together to create an environment perfectly suited for the sustenance of life. Earth’s distance from the sun allows for a stable and moderate climate, with suitable temperatures. The composition of Earth’s atmosphere, primarily consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and trace amounts of other gases, provides the necessary conditions for respiration, protection from harmful radiation, and the regulation of temperature and climate. Additionally, Earth’s geology, marked by tectonic activity and the presence of a diverse range of landforms, contributes to the cycling of nutrients, the formation of habitable environments, and the generation of diverse ecosystems. It is the delicate interplay of these factors that has made Earth a haven for the incredible tapestry of life that flourishes upon its surface.

Scientific observations point towards the idea of a Powerful and Intelligent Force behind the cosmos. From the complexity and order of the natural world to the intricate design of living organisms, there are numerous indications of purpose and intentionality in the universe. God exists and played a vital role in the formation of our world.