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?