Universe #2 - Natural Explanations for the Universes Existence

Clearly the Big Bang Theory and the Law of Entropy dictate a starting point to the universe.  An eternal, all-powerful God is the best explanation for the cause of the universe's existence. 

God doesn't have to be the only explanation for the universe's origin.  There are natural explanations. 

1. The universe could have created itself. 

However this isn't a very good explanation is it?  How could something exist before existed in order to create itself.  That's like saying I existed before my conception and conceived myself.  That's just not plausible. 

2.  The universe could have popped into existence from nothing!

However, when has this ever occurred?  From nothing, nothing comes. 

3.  The universe could have sprang from another universe, like a multiverse that produces more universes. 

That's great in speculation.  It's mere theory.  Is this at all observable?  Is there any date to support this?  Not that I know of.  And does this really solve the God dilemma?  Nope.  This explanation still doesn't account for the origin of the first universe. 

4.  The universe is eternal.  

We're back to the first post now!  This explanation goes against the Law of Entropy, a law, not a theory, and it goes against the Big Bang Theory too. 

Any other natural explanations?

The Universe #1

The Big Bang Theory hypothesizes that the universe had a singular beginning.  This theory is derived from the observations that the universe is outwardly expanding in all directions. 

The Law of Entropy, a scientific law, not just a theory, shows that the universe is in a non-reversible state of decay.  Energy is being dissipated throughout the universe.  It will come a time when the universe turns cold, that everywhere is the exact same temperature.  When this happens, the universe, essentially, will be dead.  This law shows that the universe is not eternal. 


The Big Bang Theory and the Law of Entropy working together clearly show the universe to have an origin.  We cannot make believe that the universe is eternal and has always existed.  What could have came before the origin of the universe?   From nothing, nothing comes, so there must have been something before the universe's beginning. Something must have existed before the universe, right?

Quotes from Scientists #2

Arthur L. Schawlow (Professor of Physics at Stanford University, 1981 Nobel Prize in physics): "It seems to me that when confronted with the marvels of life and the universe, one must ask why and not just how. The only possible answers are religious. . . . I find a need for God in the universe and in my own life." (1)

Wernher von Braun (Pioneer rocket engineer) "I find it as difficult to understand a scientist who does not acknowledge the presence of a superior rationality behind the existence of the universe as it is to comprehend a theologian who would deny the advances of science." (2)

Vera Kistiakowsky (MIT physicist): "The exquisite order displayed by our scientific understanding of the physical world calls for the divine." (3)

(1) Margenau, H. and R. A. Varghese, eds. Cosmos, Bios, Theos: Scientists Reflect on Science, God, and the Origins of the Universe, Life, and Homo Sapiens (Open Court Pub. Co., La Salle, IL, 1992).
(2) McIver, T. 1986. Ancient Tales and Space-Age Myths of Creationist Evangelism. The Skeptical Inquirer 10:258-276.
(3) Margenau, H and R.A. Varghese, ed. 1992. Cosmos, Bios, and Theos. La Salle, IL, Open Court, p. 52.

These quotes were pulled from: http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/quotes.html

Quotes from Scientists #1

John O'Keefe (astronomer at NASA): "We are, by astronomical standards, a pampered, cosseted, cherished group of creatures.. .. If the Universe had not been made with the most exacting precision we could never have come into existence. It is my view that these circumstances indicate the universe was created for man to live in."(1)

Antony Flew (Professor of Philosophy, former atheist, author, and debater) "It now seems to me that the findings of more than fifty years of Deoxyribonucleic acid: the chemical inside the nucleus of a cell that carries the genetic instructions for making living organisms.DNA research have provided materials for a new and enormously powerful argument to design." (2)

Stephen Hawking (British astrophysicist): "Then we shall… be able to take part in the discussion of the question of why it is that we and the universe exist. If we find the answer to that, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason - for then we would know the mind of God." (3)

(1) Heeren, F. 1995. Show Me God. Wheeling, IL, Searchlight Publications, p. 200.
(2) Atheist Becomes Theist: Exclusive Interview with Former Atheist Antony Flew at Biola University (PDF version).
(3) Hawking, S. 1988. A Brief History of Time. p. 175.

These quotes were pulled from http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/quotes.html.

"Out of Nothing" or "Out of Something"

CA friend told me about someone I know who was confronted in the work place by a fellow co-worker who is a pantheist.  

Pantheists believe that all things are God. This idea has crept up all over the place in many forms and various ways.  To quote the end of Stairway to Heaven, "The truth will come to you at last, when all are one, and one is all." Or from the Eat, Pray, Love movie, "God is in you, and God is you.  God is in me, and God is me."  Or maybe the Force in Star Wars - we're all connected by the energy of the universe, which is divine.  Pantheists generally believe  that God is eternal and created the universe out of himself, which is how they come to the conclusion that all things are then divine and the universe, eternal. Most forms of pantheism spring from Hinduism, but not all pantheist are Hindus.  Anyways...

The pantheist approached the Christian and said in front of other co-workers, "So you believe that God created the world out of nothing."  The Christian responded, "Yes."  The pantheist then responded, "Wouldn't it make more sense that created the universe out of something," as he motioned with his hands  from his chest outward, clearly indicating that wouldn't it make more sense that God created the universe out of himself.  

It's interesting that the pantheist took this approach with the Christian, because Christians usually approach atheists who believe in evolution in this manner, by going all the way back to the beginning and asking where the primordial soup of the Big Bang came from - nothing?  Everyone knows that nothing comes from nothing.  Therefore, before the Bang, there must have been a God to create the stuff and send it into motion.   So the pantheist was taking the same approach and saying this same approach with the Christian - "Something out of nothing?" or "Something out of something?"  

The Christian responded, "Yea, I guess that makes more sense."  

I'm curious - how would you respond if you are a Christian and a pantheist approached you with this question in front of co-workers?  What are the different responses that we as Christians might provide?