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Responses to: Big Bang or Big Bloom?

I believe (and this is a leap of faith, not science), that we will find that life is also commonplace throughout the universe. Emotionally, I cannot conceive of a deity that would create a universe as immense and wonderful as the one we are in, and only allow life to exist on one insignificant speck. Not that that really means anything. Reality is what it is, and my preferences won't change it. But like the kid said in "Angels in the Outfield", "It could happen." To my mind, religion should be about the relationship of man to man, and man to God. It shouldn't be about how the universe (or, as some have suggested, the multiverse) works. That is the job of science. H. M.

Wiker responds: In regard to life being commonplace, actually as science progresses we find out that the conditions that allow for life within our universe are very, very rare, so that it is becoming evident that the chances of life, even simple life, elsewhere, are increasingly slimmer. Apparently, we are a quite significant speck. As for what religion should be about, since God is the Creator of the universe and human beings are a creature in it, theology cannot help but be about how the universe works.

Your article on the "Big Bloom" was magnificent. I am a Christian who loves the natural sciences, particularly physics. The article was a clear and concise summary of the beginning of all things and a wonderful reminder of the way modern science often points us to God if we have eyes to see and ears to hear. I could not help but think of the opening words of the Epistle to the Hebrews:

"Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful words." Hebrews 1: 1 - 3a NRSV.

Thanks for helpful, thoughtful and worship provoking article. Blessings. Pastor D. L.

Wiker responds: As you point out, having ears to hear and eyes to see, is perhaps the most difficult part. When scientists presuppose that the universe has been randomly produced, it is difficult, even for the most obvious evidence to the contrary, to penetrate their minds. Yet, one hopes, if the barrage of evidence of the intelligent design of the universe keeps hitting them, these walls too shall come tumbling down.

Regarding the tendency of our universe to increase order over time, you wrote "our universe was “rigged” from the beginning by a very clever Master of physics, chemistry, and architecture".

This conclusion overlooks the fact that the tendency towards increased order is found throughout nature. From gases condensing to form stars, to mineral crystals growing in solution, to organic cells arranging themselves to form complex life forms, we see a tendency toward increased order through time.

The Universe from which all these things came is no different. It is not a dead, static structure such as the farmhouse in your illustration. It did not require an architect. Rather, the Universe is literally alive and organic in and of itself, the space between stars being filled with complex molecules which form the basis for RNA and DNA. Should we be surprised that an organic structure such as the Universe increases with complexity over time? On the contrary, we would expect a simple beginning, growing ever more complex as the structure grows.

And this is exactly what we observe. R.

Wiker responds: On the contrary, as St. Thomas would say. You suggest that a designer is redundant because a tendency towards increased order is found throughout nature. That very tendency is something that we cannot take for granted, and in fact, depends on the very fine-tuning that scientists have been uncovering at a rapid rate. Further, it is also scientifically false to say that organic cells arrange themselves to form complex life forms. Gases and crystals do, but that of course depends both on fine tuning and their marvelous properties. Some protein structures do "fold" by themselves, but others require aid and direction from the cell. Above that level, and organization depends upon the complex, unified living cell itself. Finding nucleic acids floating about, either in space or as synthesized in the lab, is a far cry from actual DNA. Further, DNA itself is inert; it doesn't magically make a cell by itself, but requires all the intricacies of an actual living cell. What we would expect, therefore, is entropy, not ever more complex organization.

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Regarding J. H. Jr.'s letter: the last three states to disestablish their state churches were Maryland (1810, Episcopal), Connecticut (1818, Congregationalist), and Massachusetts (1833, Congregationalist). For Christ and his church. Rev. R. H.

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