big bang theory

big bang

• Hypothesis that explains the origins of the universe 

• Approx 13.8 bil years ago, universe exploded from a single point of energy 

• Time and space as we understand them began to exist only as the universe expanded 

• As the universe expanded + cooled, particles began to form into atoms and thus mass, under forces of gravity 

source

• This theory is based off of observations in the universe: 

• Based on observations that the universe is expanding -> galaxies are moving further apart which suggests they are moving as the result of force from a central explosion 

• Wherever you turn radio-telescopes towards in the universe, you always pick up a faint radiation which comes from no particular source 

• There appears to have ripples, which would be expected if there had been an explosion from a central point 

stephen hawking

• In his most recent book, ‘The Grand Design’ (2010) Professor Stephen Hawking states that The Big Bang was the result of the inevitable laws of physics and did not need God to spark the creation of the Universe.  

• “Because there is a law such as gravity, the Universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the Universe exists, why we exist.”  

• “It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the Universe going.” 

COUNTER to hawkins: lennox

•  But, as both a scientist and a Christian, I would say that Hawking's claim is misguided. 

•  He asks us to choose between God and the laws of physics, as if they were necessarily in mutual conflict.  

• But contrary to what Hawking claims, physical laws can never provide a complete explanation of the universe.  

• Laws themselves do not create anything, they are merely a description of what happens under certain conditions 

• He goes on to say “…For me, as a Christian believer, the beauty of the scientific laws only reinforces my faith in an intelligent, divine creative force at work”.