Is God real? Is there any proof of His existence? These questions are increasingly met with skepticism. Over the past few decades, technological achievements have given some an overinflated view of man’s cleverness.
Consider the scene of a teenager who proudly looks down from his makeshift tree fort, constructed crudely from scrap 2x4s. On the ground below his little brother plays with his toys and admires his big brother’s creation. On this Saturday, his father, a construction worker, looks out the window observing his sons. In this allegory, the teenager represents some modern-day scientists. His tree house creation was impressive to his sibling, but would pale in comparison to the high-rise buildings his father erects. It’s a matter of perspective.
There is a scientific principle known as cause and effect. Simply stated, wherever there is an effect, there must be an adequate cause. If you go to your mailbox, which was empty yesterday, and there are letters inside, what can be deduced? Someone put them there. If a locomotive train is traveling fast on the tracks and hits a fly with its windshield, will the train be derailed? Obviously not. Hitting a fly would not be an adequate cause to explain derailment.
The universe contains a multitude of intertwined systems. How can the existence of the universe be explained? Three theoretical possibilities are: (1) It has always existed, (2) it created itself, and (3) it was created. Let’s eliminate one or more if we can.
Does evidence point to the universe being eternal? The Second Law of Thermodynamics in simplified terms says everything is running down. For example, our sun is burning up. Like sucking a lollipop, it keeps getting smaller. Such depletion makes it obvious that the candy cannot last indefinitely. The universe shows signs in keeping with this law, and therefore, it cannot be eternal.
Consider option number two; could the universe create itself? According to science (observation and experimentation), something cannot come from nothing. It is misleading to speak of the “big bang,” since the material for the bang is not properly addressed. To disguise the problem by speaking of “spontaneous generation” does not turn the theory into reality. The fancy phrase still is asking folks to believe in something coming from nothing. This option is neither logical nor scientific.
The universe was created. Genesis 1:1. “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God” (Psalm 14:1). Read Romans 1:20.
