Did God create the universe?
Did God Create the Universe?
The question of whether God created the universe lies at the heart of both theology and philosophy. The Bible unequivocally answers this question in Genesis 1:1: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (NKJV). This foundational statement asserts that the universe owes its existence to the deliberate act of a sovereign Creator. However, the debate persists in modern culture due to competing philosophical worldviews. Some, like the late Stephen Hawking, have proposed naturalistic theories to explain the universe’s origin without invoking God. Examining these claims reveals their philosophical and scientific shortcomings while affirming the biblical account of creation.
The Biblical Worldview: God as Creator
The Bible presents God as the eternal, omnipotent Creator. Isaiah 45:12 declares, "I have made the earth, and created man on it. I—My hands—stretched out the heavens, and all their host I have commanded" (NKJV). This view not only attributes the universe’s origin to God but also affirms His continued sovereignty over creation. Hebrews 11:3 explains, "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible" (NKJV). The Bible insists that creation is a supernatural act, not reducible to naturalistic processes or random chance.
The Naturalistic Counterclaim: Hawking’s Perspective
Stephen Hawking and other naturalistic theorists propose explanations that attempt to exclude God from the origin of the universe. Hawking famously argued that the law of gravity allows the universe to create itself out of nothing. According to this view, because the total energy of the universe might net to zero (positive energy balanced by gravitational energy), there is no need for a Creator.
However, this reasoning fails to address the fundamental question of origins: where did the laws of physics, such as gravity, come from? A law is not "nothing." The existence of laws presupposes an underlying framework or structure. Romans 1:20 states, "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse" (NKJV). The universe’s order and complexity point to a deliberate Designer, not random processes.
Philosophical and Logical Challenges
Hawking’s reasoning encounters several philosophical and logical problems:
Ex Nihilo Nihil Fit (Nothing Comes from Nothing): The philosophical principle ex nihilo nihil fit asserts that nothing can come from nothing. Even if the universe’s total energy balances to zero, this does not explain how it came into being. Genesis 1:1 does: God brought everything into existence by His command.
Cause and Effect: Scientific and philosophical reasoning relies on causality—every effect must have a cause. Hawking’s model suggests a universe without a cause, contradicting the very principles on which science is built. Psalm 33:9 says, "For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast" (NKJV).
Truth Is Not Determined by Utility: Hawking claimed science "works" better than religion because it produces tangible results. However, as Proverbs 3:5 reminds us, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding" (NKJV). Utility is not the measure of truth; correspondence to reality is. A theory’s practicality does not guarantee its accuracy.
Fine-Tuning and Design
One of the most compelling arguments for a Creator is the fine-tuning of the universe. The precise constants and laws governing the universe—such as the strength of gravity, the charge of the electron, and the expansion rate of the cosmos—are calibrated to allow life. Any slight variation in these constants would render the universe uninhabitable. Isaiah 40:26 proclaims, "Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power; not one is missing" (NKJV). Such precision points to an intelligent Designer rather than random chance.
Why Do Some Reject God as Creator?
The rejection of God as Creator is not primarily an intellectual issue but a moral and spiritual one. Romans 1:21–22 explains, "Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools" (NKJV). Denying God’s role in creation often stems from a desire to escape accountability. If there is no Creator, there is no moral lawgiver, and humanity is free to define right and wrong.
Conclusion: God Is the Source of All Things
The naturalistic attempts to explain the universe’s origin fail to address the fundamental question: why is there something rather than nothing? Hebrews 3:4 declares, "For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God" (NKJV). The existence of the universe, its order, and its complexity are best explained by the biblical account of creation.
God’s act of creation reveals His power, wisdom, and love. The heavens declare His glory (Psalm 19:1), and the beauty of the universe invites humanity to worship Him. Far from being a relic of ancient mythology, the doctrine of creation is foundational to understanding our purpose, our relationship with God, and the hope of redemption through Jesus Christ. Only by acknowledging God as Creator can we truly grasp the meaning of existence and the depth of His love for us.
