A Galaxy Far, Far Away…

This image provided by the Space Telescope Science Institute, taken with the Hubble Space Telescope, shows a hot, star-popping galaxy that is far, far away, farther than any previously detected, from a time when the universe was a mere toddler of about 400 million years old. (Space Telescope Science Institute via AP)

Question: How does the recent discovery of a galaxy 13.4 billion light years away—close in time to the Big Bang approximately 14 billion years ago—fit the biblical creation model of a universe only thousands of years old?

The question that really needs to be asked is ‘How is this galaxy’s distance in space and time measured?’

Astronomers use a phenomenon called “redshift” to determine the age of distant stars, quasars and galaxies. Redshift describes how light that shows up white-hot at its source can appear to shift toward the cooler red hues of the light spectrum as it travels over distance. You can see this phenomenon in your own fireplace. The hottest temperature of the flame is in the white-blue color range at the center, while the outer edges of the flame shift to yellow and red. That’s “redshift.”

When astronomers apply redshift to the vast distances in space, they assume that the shift represents a universe that has been expanding away from the hot-zone of the Big Bang for billions of years. The cooler the redshift, the farther away from the Big Bang. While the Bible does not support a Big Bang billions of years ago, it does teach an expanding universe:

         Is. 40:22b  He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.

In addition, the Scripture teaches that all the heavenly bodies were created simultaneously on day four and sent out into space from the relative position of earth (Gen. 1:16-17). If this is true, then the evidence should support it.

According to a 2010 study of over 900 quasars, estimating quasar age and distance by their redshift often proved inconsistent with their actual known distance in light years:

         “Even though the distant quasars were more strongly redshifted than the closer quasars, there was no difference in the time it took the light to reach Earth. This quasar conundrum doesn't seem to have an obvious explanation.”[1] (Emphasis mine)

Therefore, “Redshift” cannot be used as an accurate tool for determining the age of the universe. This newly discovered galaxy may indeed be far, far away—even 13.4 billion light years away—but that does not say anything about the age of the universe. When God instantaneously “stretched” out the matter and energy of the universe to their present position relative to the earth it caused light and radio waves to dramatically speed up across space.  That sped up process makes it possible for us to see objects in space billions of light ears away. That same process also distorts the effect of redshift, making it an inaccurate tool for measuring the time it takes for light to travel cosmic distances.

         Ps. 8:1  LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens.

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[1] Quasars Quash Big Bang Assumptions, Brian Thomas, M.S., ICR, April 29, 2010., quoting  Zyga, L. Discovery that quasars don't show time dilation mystifies astronomers. PhysOrg. Posted on physorg.com April 9, 2010, reporting on research published in Hawkins, M. R. S. On time dilation in quasar light curves. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Published online in advance of print April 9, 2010.

Does The Bible Prove God?

Biblegems #261

  

Question: Isn’t using the Bible to prove the existence of God circular reasoning—like trying to prove Harry Potter really exists because he is in a book that says he’s real?

At first glance this sounds like a reasonable argument. However, the analogy of the Bible and God to the Harry Potter novels is unfortunate. The novels are works of fiction. The Bible and its human authors claim to represent communication directly from the living God. There is no analogy.

A better analogy to God and the Bible would be an email or text. In that case, the “document” claims to be from a certain individual that corresponds to the number or email address of the sender. Is it circular reasoning to assume that the sender exists because the communication claims the sender exists and has indeed sent the document? No: it is common sense.

The Bible makes certain claims about itself or, more accurately, God makes certain claims in the Bible as His Word to mankind. For example, speaking of the Bible, the apostle Peter wrote:

         2Pet. 1:21  For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Likewise, the apostle Paul described all Scripture as “inspired,” an English word that translates a Greek phrase that literally means “God-breathed”:

         2Tim. 3:16  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…

More than 3,800 times throughout the Bible the claim is made that it is “the Lord” who is communicating His word through specific individuals. The Old Testament prophet Amos describes hearing from God as being so compelling he can’t help but tell it to others:

         Amos 2:8  The lion has roared—who will not fear? The Sovereign LORD has spoken—who can but prophesy?

Jeremiah tried to keep God’s word to himself because it was often painful:

         Jer. 20:9  But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.

          

Like a text or email sent through a device, the Bible claims to be a communication from God sent through human intermediaries. The Bible does not attempt to prove God; rather, the existence of God is assumed, even as the existence of the sender of a text or email is assumed. God reveals Himself in the Scriptures as more than just a being that exists—even more than our Creator; He reveals Himself to be personal and deeply interested in us as the objects of His love:

         Ps. 8:3-6  When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet…

Extra-terrestrial Life And The Bible

Biblegems #260

Question:  Does the Bible indicate whether or not extraterrestrial life exists?

First, let’s agree on terms. “Extraterrestrial life” in this brief article means conscious, intelligent life. Most who are curious about this subject wonder about the possibility of humans encountering ET.

The Bible teaches that God created the universe in its present, mature state (Gen. 1-2). The stars within their familiar constellations were created as we see them from earth, animal and plant life were created in their mature state, immediately capable of reproduction according to their kinds. Humanity—in the form of the first man and woman—was likewise created in a mature state, independent of other life forms, ready for reproduction. The Bible portrays a universe that is created, not evolved; mature, not evolving into maturity; and recent (tens of thousands of years), not the result of a Big Bang billions of years past. This means that ET would also have to have been recently created—not evolved over millennia.

Secondly, the Bible teaches that death—indeed, entropy itself (the second law of thermodynamics)—is not native to the universe as originally created, but a devastating cancer introduced by the willful disobedience of the first human couple. There could not have been, therefore, alien civilizations living and dying on distant worlds for millions or billions of years because, prior to Adam and Eve’s sin, there was no death in the “cosmos” (Rom. 5:12).

However, the Bible does plainly teaches the existence of extraterrestrial life: creatures who are not dependent upon planets and star systems for survival, and who are not subject to death, disease and decay. It describes beings who tread upon the stars as we easily as we walk upon a carpet (Ezek. 28:14, 16), and who vary in appearance as widely as animal species on earth. Some possess wings (Is. 6:2), while others do not (Acts 1:10-11). Some have eyes all over their bodies (Rev. 4:6-8) and some have more than one face (Ezek. 1:10; 10:14). Many, if not all, can change their appearance, making it easier for humans to perceive them without fear (Lk. 1:19, 26), or they can make their presence known as wind, fire or other seemingly natural forces (Heb. 1:7). These beings are not hindered by time or physical barriers (Lk. 2:19-14), and their size is likely more a matter of our perception (Rev. 10:2)—not something that applies in their own natural state.

These angels, seraphim, cherubim, etc. were brought into existence early in creation week by the living and eternal God, the Creator of all that exists. They do not require space ships for travel and are not bound by such physical laws as the speed of light. They inhabit the non-physical realm the Bible calls heaven; and all the physical universe of matter, energy, galaxies, solar systems, planets, and all life in the physical universe, exists as an expression of God’s love and creativity.

To demonstrate once and for all His immeasurable power and love, God took on human form and lived among us: Jesus, the Son of God—the Supreme ET on planet earth!.

Heb. 1:2  “…but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.”