In the early 1800s astronomer Heinrich Olbers argued that the universe had to be finite. If it were infinite then at some point a star would shine throughout the night sky. The dark empty space between stars meant the universe had to have limits.
Isaac Newton’s discovery of gravity pulling on every object in the universe created another paradox in a finite universe. If the universe were in fact finite in size (regardless of how big it actually is), then the forces of gravity should cause it all to collapse into itself. But the universe had not, and so scientists were left with more questions than answers.
Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity ran into the same problem. All of his equations showed that the universe should either be expanding or collapsing. Einstein believed the universe was static and unchanging. This he later said was his “greatest blunder.”
In 1929 astronomer Edwin Hubble made a discovery that led to scientific answers for these unanswered questions. Hubble discovered that the universe was expanding. An expanding universe solved Newton’s and Einstein’s problems But it also pointed to something else.
An expanding universe also pointed to a beginning. The universe was not eternal as some scientist believed. The expansion of the universe could be traced back to a time when everything was all together in one place. Thus the big bang theory, which explained the origins of the universe, was developed.
This may surprise you, but I believe in the big bang.
- 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth . . . 3 And God said, "Let there be . . .
Gen 1:1-3 NIV
God said, “Let there be,” and BANG! There it was. The eternal God created the universe we live in by His spoken word. Bang! What do you think?
