Christianity states that God created the universe and everything in it from nothing. This is affirmed in the Bible in Genesis 1. According to a Christian worldview, the universe was created in perfect order, and each part serves its purpose in accord with God’s unchanging laws.
God gave humanity a special role in the universe by making us in His image and creating us with the capacity to think and choose. God made humans stewards over His creation and provided us with an intimate knowledge of Himself as He reveals Himself to us through His word. Therefore, in Christianity, the universe was created by a sovereign and loving God who has intentions and purposes for us and for the world He has made.
According to the Big Bang Theory, the universe was created about 13.8 billion years ago. An era known as inflation began ten to the minus 37 seconds after the initial expansion of the universe. Inflation is thought to have driven the universe to its incredibly large size. Christian theologians and cosmologists concur that God was responsible for the Big Bang, infusing energy and allowing the expanding universe to evolve according to His will.
Proponents of both science and Christianity agree that the universe we observe today is providential and complex. It had a beginning, and this was caused by God’s act of creation. From the smallest subatomic particle to entire galaxies, the universe has been uniquely crafted and is held together with laws of physics and mutual dependence among its parts. This operation can be seen in the very fabric of every molecule and law of science revealed in nature.
John Polkinghorne, a physicist and Anglican priest, suggests that God’s power is expressed through laws that regulate the universe. Professor Polkinhorne believes laws such as gravity and the fine-tuning of initial conditions enable the universe to be self-sustaining. According to theologians, this suggests God set the rules of the game, then stepped back and let the universe take shape according to the laws He has established.
Many Christians believe that Earth is unique even among other planets in the universe, due to its many features, including its water and oxygen content, which is necessary for life forms to exist. Consequently, some Christian cosmologists consider Earth to be a special and specific creation of God. Other theologians note that for all its uniqueness, Earth is still a product of the same natural laws, and therefore is no different than other planets.
As the universe was created, so too was time. This is explained by what theologians call kairos, which means that there is a specific time in which God
chooses to act within the universe. In Christianity, time can be seen in a cycle, with special emphasis on redemption and sacrifice as major components. The Bible states that history and time are ordered around these redemption narratives, and will ultimately culminate in a time of immense reward and renewal.
Humans & The Universe
Humans are capable of recognizing and experiencing God’s presence within the universe. In the Christian faith, God is perceived as personal. This makes humans and the universe not just a product of a cosmic force, but of a loving Creator. Therefore, humans can find God in the beauty of nature, even in unlikely places, like a leaf on a tree or a feather floating from the sky.
God created individuals with moral purpose and shows that through His word and through the universe. As humans observe the universe, we can comprehend God’s infinite wisdom, beauty, and power. Therefore, the universe and its complexities serve as a form of communication between God and mankind.
The universe, both in its order and complexity, points to something divine. The great physicist Sir Isaac Newton commented, “This most beautiful system of the sun, planets and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent Being.”
Pascal’s Wager rests on the idea that while evidence of God’s existence is inconclusively proven, humans should choose to believe in God because it carries a greater risk of loss or a greater chance of reward than disbelief.
God’s Omnipotence
In Christianity, God is described as omnipotent, meaning that He is all-powerful. As a result, He is able to intervene in human affairs. This is an important aspect of Christianity, as it allows for the idea of divine blessings and curses. Furthermore, it affirms that God is in control of His creation, and that He is actively working in the universe, even if it is not always obvious.
The concept of omnipotence is seen in the prophecies of the Bible. The prophets of Scripture spoke of a holy and powerful God who promised to intervene in the lives of His people. This intervention is seen in the historical events described in the Bible, as well as in Jesus’ coming to earth, His miraculous works, and even His death and resurrection.
Many of Jesus’ parables and teachings are centered around God’s authority and power. In these parables, Jesus reveals that God is in control of the universe, and that He will ultimately use His divine power to bring justice. He also showed that while humans can sometimes be distracted by the details of life and take their eyes off of the big picture, God remains ever faithful and is ultimately in control.
Integrating Science & Faith
The integration of science and faith is a difficult, but not altogether impossible, journey. While some theologians argue that faith and science are incompatible, others suggest that the two can co-exist. Science has enabled us to better understand the dynamics of the universe, while faith continues to provide us with the why—why the universe was created, why do we exist, and what is the plan for humanity.
Theologian Alister McGrath believes that although it is impossible to answer all questions about the universe, science and faith can be intertwined. He suggests that “God has a purpose for the universe, and that purpose has been rediscovered through science.” He further explains that science has revealed that the universe functions according to laws not easily explained by the physical environment, thus proving the existence of an intelligent designer.
Arthur Peacocke, a theologian and biochemist, argues that understanding the material world and its laws are essential for understanding the spiritual dimension of life and faith. He notes that “the order of the real, physical universe itself is totally consistent with what is taught in the Christian faith.” This reveals that faith and science are not juxtaposed, but rather complementary.
The Afterlife
In Christianity, the afterlife is seen as the ultimate reward for faithfulness to God and living often one. In Scripture, death is not seen as an end, but rather as the beginning of a wondrous eternity of joy and purpose in God’s presence. Heaven and hell, two often-discussed parts of the afterlife, are two literal places that a person will experience after death, dependent on the relationships one maintained during life.
This concept of redemption is a particularly important part of Christianity, as it serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and of the ultimate purposes of His creation. Both the Bible and Church Fathers have frequently discussed the afterlife in their writings. They sought to reassure believers in their faith and equip them to face death with courage and hope.
Paul the Apostle made it very clear that life in the present world was temporary, and it is the afterlife which will provide us with our true, eternal home. He compared death to being absent from the body and present with the Lord. Jesus also spoke frequently of the afterlife, and taught to have faith in God and His promises of everlasting joy and peace.
Conclusion
In Christianity, the universe was created by a loving, powerful and omnipotent God. He gives us an intimate knowledge of Himself and demonstrates His sovereignty through the laws of physics, His creative design and the complexity of the universe. Through faith and science, humans can better comprehend the mystery of God’s powers and understand our purpose in the universe. All of these aspects point to the ultimate hope of life after death, as provided by God’s grace and mercy.
