Modern scientists usually don’t have much to say about the origin of life and the universe, because they just can’t explain how He did what He did. The Bible explains it all, but not in the technical terms scientists can accept. Since they can’t figure out how He did it, they usually avoid the subject, or, as in the case of folks like Richard Dawkins, claim the biblical version of creation is nothing but fairy tales and pipe dreams.
Hugh Ross is an astrophysicist at the California Institute of Technology, and he’s one scientist who strongly believes biblical teachings, explaining them in scientific terms in the recommended book and several others. This paper will give you a taste of his reasoning, and you don’t need to know astronomy and mathematics to understand it. It definitely is written on a layman’s level.
Our solar system (sun, planets, moons, comets, asteroids, etc.) is in the Milky Way Galaxy. The Milky Way is pinwheel-shaped, and our solar system is located out on one of the arms. Ross goes to great lengths to explain why this location is precisely the right place for life to form and thrive. He also explains why it took so long after the universe formed for life to arrive on Earth.
(Ross and I disagree on the age of the universe. He endorses the popular scientific theory that estimates the age of the universe at about 14 billion years. I’m a Bible literalist in that I am convinced the universe is about 8000 years old, as stated in the Good Book. I believe that God created the world and just made it “look” like it was 14 billion years old. However, that’s about the only disagreement I have with Ross—the rest of his treatise is complementary with mine and even reinforces it.)
Scientists and laymen alike refer to the Earth’s location as the “Goldilocks Zone.” Things like oxygen and water availability make life possible. The distance from the sun is just right—closer would be too hot, further would be too cool. Even the tilt of the Earth’s axis is perfect, allowing our area of the planet to warm up in the summer and cool off in the winter.
There are 100 billion solar systems in the Milky Way, and 100 billion galaxies in the universe. Assuming all solar systems and galaxies are similar, and assuming there is an average of 10 planets per solar system (for a round number), there are about 10 to the 23rd planets (one followed by 23 zeroes) in the universe.
With all those other planets floating around out there, the odds seem great that there must be others that have the same life-supporting conditions as Earth. Ross doesn’t believe there are, and I agree with him. So, why are all those other heavenly bodies even necessary and how do they promote life on Earth?
Why did it take billions of years, or why did the world have to “look” like it was that old, before life could appear on Earth? Why is our location in our solar system, galaxy, and universe the one and only place that could possibly sustain life?
The space between celestial bodies is so vast that collisions are nearly impossible. Why does the universe have to be so big and empty, and how does all that space promote life on Earth?
Stipulating Ross’ premise that the universe it 14 billion years old, what was going on before life appeared and how did it cause the proper conditions for life?
Now that it’s here, is life going to continue ad infinitum?
Ross answers these questions and many more in "Why the Universe Is the Way it Is." Of special interest, he explains that life is not going to continue indefinitely. In far less time than billions of years, the universe will evolve to a point where life is no longer possible. Unless the Second Coming precedes it, that’ll be the day we all meet our Maker.
No matter where you are in your spirituality (assuming you have some), this book will reinforce your beliefs. If you have even the slightest doubts, they’ll go away—if you have no doubts, you never will. For any atheists or agnostics who may be reading this, I offer this caveat: Reading "Why the Universe Is the Way it Is" may shake your core beliefs to their very foundation, but read it anyway.
Five stars is the highest possible rating, but if I could I’d give this book six!
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Alan Marron
HARD TO READ - HARD TO PUT DOWN!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 17, 2018Mr A W
scientifically and theologically challenging.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 30, 2022L. R. Mepsted
Combined the best of science and the best of theology
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 5, 2022
