Out of the
Lab Donald S. Robertson, Ph.D. Chairman, Dept, of Science, Biola Bible College
CORRESPONDENCE
Nature of the Universe
rather interesting debate is present ly taking place in astronomical circles which should be of interest to Christians. The final answer will have profound theological implica tions. The question concerns the na ture of the universe. Is it in a steady state or was it formed as the result of a cosmic explosion that took place some four or more billion years ago? The steady-state theory of the uni verse is primarily defended by sev eral British workers — Hoyle, Bondi and Gold. According to them matter is continually being created. As the universe continues to expand this matter is formed within the space between the galaxies. This is not a spontaneous creation of large amounts of matter but is a slow process pro ceeding one atom at a time. In order to better visualize this one astronomer has estimated that the theory requires the creation of an hydrogen atom in the space equal to the volume of the Empire State Building once every 10,000 years or so. The matter which is thus created then collects to form new galaxies and stars in the void left between the old ones as the uni verse continues to expand. The second theory, that the uni verse had an explosive beginning sev eral billion years ago, is held by many. It is suggested that the force of the original explosion is responsi ble for the expanding universe as we know it today. All matter was created in the beginning and since no new matter has been added to the universe since then, it is slowly running down and is doomed to ul timate darkness which will result as the stars use up their nuclear fuel and slowly fade out (See K.B., March-May 1954).
The Christian should have more than just a passing interest in which one of these opposing views on the nature of the universe proves to be supported by further research. For the Christian believes that what God has told us in the Scriptures about this universe is true and since we have two conflicting scientific views, both of which cannot be right, we can expect that one will agree closer with what we find in the Bible' than the other. And this indeed proves to be the case. For only one of these theories speaks of the universe hav ing a definite beginning while the other pictures it as being pretty much the same in its over-all details for all eternity with only local changes as new galaxies are formed. The latter Concept of course is not in agreement with the Scriptures that talk about a beginning when God created the heavens and the earth. Evidence to prove or disprove eith er of these theories is difficult to come by. But it is interesting that the evidence so far obtained seems to fa vor a universe with a definite begin ning. The Christian believes that the scientist when he tries to unravel the mysteries surrounding the nature of the universe is probing into what God has created. Arid since God has included within His Word an ac count of this creation, the Christian expects that as the scientist gets closer to the truth his theories will come into more perfect agreement with the Bible’s record of God’s actions. As the truth is approximated we can expect that theories that do not accurately describe creation will have to be dis carded. This is true in this debate as to the nature of the universe. END.
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Where to Trust Trust in yourself, and you are doomed to disappointment; trust in your friends, and they will die and leave you; trust in money, and you may have it taken from you; trust in reputation, and some slanderous tongue may blast it; but trust in God, and you are never to be confounded in time or eternity. — D. L. MOODY.
JUNE, 1955
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