For years prominent scientists held the belief that the universe was infinite and eternal. They used this notion to argue against the existence of a divine creator. More recently, many lines of new scientific evidence have emerged proving that our universe had an abrupt and finite beginning. In fact, we now know it has expanded from a single point. This discovery has sparked much speculation about the cause of this incredible event.
A cause is needed due to the rational thought experiment known as the Kalam argument. It goes like this: everything that begins to exist has a cause. The universe began to exist. Therefore, the universe must have a cause. Atheists, who generally attribute the existence and workings of the universe to random natural processes, have a hard time explaining this. Why? Because if we trace back in time, we encounter a point where the fundamental elements of nature like space, time, matter, energy, and physical laws don’t exist. The very things they say are the cause of all we see and know can’t cause themselves.
All we observe and can measure in this universe, from living organisms, to scientific laws, to the construction of the cosmos, exhibit an exquisite complexity, order, calibration and elegance that defies natural explanation. Our observations are better explained by an unbelievably intelligent and powerful designer who created these things for a purpose. God.
An objection often raised is, “If God caused the universe, what caused God?” Nothing. The Bible beautifully describes God as infinite and transcendent. (Isaiah 57:15, Psalm 139, Jeremiah 10:10-23, John 1:1-5) He is eternal and exists outside of time, space, and matter. He needs no cause. He is the great “I AM.”
Kevin Roark