We've all asked
the question from the age of 2. Why did the universe have a beginning
but not God? If God didn't have a beginning why should the universe
have a beginning. Couldn't the universe just have always existed? Why
a need for God?
The answer is
found in understanding why the universe had to have a beginning.
Science supports Einstein's claim that the universe is a closed
system. That means it has finite energy. Even though energy cannot be
created or destroyed (by any natural processes), over time the useful
energy in the universe becomes more and more useless. This is known
in science as the Second Law of Thermodynamics. If the universe were
eternal then all of the energy would have become totally useless by
now and I wouldn't be writing this article and you wouldn't be
reading it either!
Isn't
the Second Law of Thermodynamics merely an expression of probability?
Yes, but the probability is so high and certain that the odds of just
one calorie of energy spontaneously defying the Second Law would be
trillions times trillions to one, and the universe is made up of far
more than just one calorie of energy!
We
know from the First Law of Thermodynamics in science that
matter/energy cannot be created from nothing by any natural process.
Since the second law teaches us that the universe does not have the
ability to have sustained itself from all eternity and first law
teaches us that the universe could not have brought itself into
existence, the only logical and rational conclusion is that a
supernatural power (God) brought the universe into existence.
Furthermore, the complexity and order in the universe logically
points to a supreme mind. Disorder in the universe is because of
chance but the high degree of order can only be rationally explained
due to a supreme mind or intelligence.
Natural
laws may explain how the order in the universe operates, but mere
undirected natural laws are insufficient to explain the origin of
that order. Even in life, once there is a complete and living cell
then the code and mechanisms exist to direct the formation of more
cells. The problem is how did life come about when there was no
already existing directing code and mechanism in nature.
And
what about the stars? Oh, yes, gravity may explain how the order
found in the precise courses of trillions of stars is maintained, but
mere undirected gravity cannot explain the origin of that order!
What about
natural selection? Natural selection is a passive process in nature
making sure that only the fit survive. Natural selection doesn't
produce anything. It can only "select" from what is
produced. Natural selection is not an energy converting and directing
mechanism, and natural selection only operates once there is life and
reproduction and not before.
God's nature
doesn't require that He have a beginning. God is self-sustaining. The
universe is not. And because the universe is not ultimately
self-sustaining, the universe requires creation (a beginning) as well
as a supreme designer and a supreme sustainer. In other words, the
universe requires God.
Ultimately,
however, scientists concede that the Second Law of Thermodynamics
will conquer the entire universe and the universe, if left to itself,
will end in what scientists predict will be a heat death because all
of the energy in the universe will reach a uniform state where no
more work of any kind will be possible. Even a contracting and
expanding universe would no longer be possible in such a state. This
proves, as mentioned earlier, that the universe could not be eternal
or otherwise it would have long ago reached this point of uniform
energy decay or level.
All
of this simply supports the belief that an intelligent power outside
of nature and the universe was responsible for its origin and order.
Science
cannot prove that we came about by creation or by chance processes,
but educators and students should be free to investigate and make up
their own minds as to which position the scientific evidence best
supports.
Belief
in neither chance origins nor creation is necessary to the actual
study of science itself. One can understand the human body and become
a first class surgeon regardless of whether he or she believes the
human body is the result of the chance forces of Nature or of a
Supreme Designer.
It
takes faith to believe we're here by chance or by design. The latter
is the wiser faith.
The
author, Babu G. Ranganathan, has a bachelor's degree with
concentrations in theology and biology and has been recognized for
his writings on religion and science in the 24th edition of Marquis
"Who's Who In The East." The author's Web site may be
accessed at www.religionscience.com