How Will the Universe End?

"If you think that the laws of physics are absolute and universal, it will, in fact, be true that, given the complete set of physical laws and the initial state of the universe, nothing will be merely random or accidental. Whatever happens will inevitably happen- or, allowing for quantum fluctuations, at least the general course of things will inevitably go as it does" (39).

In this chapter, Ward explores the different theories concerning the purpose of the universe and how it is going to end. In the first chapter, he stated that Christians believe in one creator and His manifestations on earth as purposeful, good works. Therefore, most Christians believe that the universe and humankind do serve some purpose. God would not have created us for no reason. We will fulfill our purpose on earth as God wishes and then the world will end at his command. Jesus prophesied that no one will know the day or the time the world is to end, but when it does:

"the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other (Matthew 24:29-31)."

This is the Christian mindset about the second coming of Christ and the end of the world to come. Ward also explores the end of the world in Indian beliefs, like Buddhism, where the physical end of the universe, similar to it's beginning, is of no religious relevance and the individual should focus only on the life here and now in the search for enlightenment.

The scientific view of the purpose of the universe and it's ultimate end is very pessimistic. As the opening quote implies, scientists do not believe that the universe serves an ultimate purpose. The world will end just as it began: as unconscious emptiness. It is inevitable and therefore our life on earth is irrelevant. The answer to the question, "How will the universe end?" is basically the same as, "How was the universe created?" It depends on one's belief in God as the primary consciousness. If one does not believe in God and instead relies on scientific evidence and physical understanding to shape their theory of the universe, then purpose and it's creation and destruction remain very unclear.

I am still trying to figure out how these first two chapters connect to ethical issues. One's sense of morals, in essence, is based on whether or not the individual believes in a higher power. Can science play a role in ethics if scientists believe that our universe doesn't have a purpose? If humanity is ultimately irrelevant, then why do we even care about how we act? Why do we have morals? The first two chapters give such vague answers to the big questions posed by Ward. I'm hoping for more concrete theories in the next chapters! I hope every question isn't answered by, "Either you believe in God or you don't." I want more connection between the two and explanation why one theory may make more sense than another so that I can figure out how science contributes to the ethical beliefs of a Christian scientist. The basis of our morals is obviously the teachings of scripture, but, if we lived on scripture alone, the field of science wouldn't exist.

How Did the Universe Begin?

This is my first time to ever post on a blog! I am looking forward to reviewing Keith Ward's The Big Questions in Science and Religion throughout the semester. The synopsis says that Ward, a world religion expert, aims to connect diverse religious views with new scientific knowledge by raising major questions pertaining to the basis of our faith as Christians (as well as Confucianism, Hinduism, Judaism, etc.). I hope to cover one question per week and relate them to what we discuss in Biblical Heritage, starting with chapter one: How Did the Universe Begin?

Ward opens his discussion with a brief summary of the Enuma Elish, which we are all familiar with. This story, along with the book of Genesis, provide explanations of the beginning of time. One stems from a polytheistic view in which human life was shaped by the wars of the gods, and other originates with a single god and is formed for the purpose of goodness alone. This was an interesting comparison because we discussed the same similarities and differences in class!

Ward explains that problems in the biblical explanation rest with three major assumptions: the universe is good, the universe has a purpose, and God has always been a being. This is something I have never considered before. As a Christian, I have always taken these assumptions as fact and I probably always will. Why question something that challenges our God? In denying the assumption that the universe is good or that it has a purpose, we are denying story from which our faith originates.

After comparing the beginning of the universe and human life across religions, Ward offers a scientific explanation, as I suppose he will in every chapter. It is proposed and widely accepted by cosmologists that the universe began 13.7 billion years ago. But still, there is no definite explanation on HOW it came to be. Therefore, the answer to the question "How Did the Universe Begin?" depends whether one wants to believe in spiritual consciousness or the scientific theory of "pure chance."

Buddhists do not concern themselves with the origin of the universe, but instead, focus on the existence of the spirtiual realm that has been given to them (31). I agree with the Buddhists. I am a Christian and a scientist, and because no definite proof of the beginning of the universe can be found, why waste time wondering about something that may not ever be proven and question the power of our loving God?