CREATION

It’s easy to understand the universe as scientists describe it. Everything originated billions of years ago from an initial starting point, infinitely small and infinitely compressed, under conditions not yet understood by scientists, but quickly transforming into what scientists already understand about the universe, complying with all the discovered laws in nature as the newly emerged matter/energy evolves into newer and newer manifestations of itself. Since then, matter/energy has slowly evolved into subatomic particles and radiation, spreading over vast distances, cooling and condensing into atoms, molecules, larger particles, stars and planets, and finally into living plants and animals.

There is no intelligent creator in this process, and no intelligent mind guiding the evolution of matter/energy into newer and ever more advanced forms. Finally, only a couple hundred thousand years ago, human beings appeared, the only manifestation of intelligence discovered so far in the universe. One wonders what will emerge as evolution continues over the next few billion years. One also wonders if there already exist some surprising life forms not yet discovered by today’s scientists.

Contrary to these perceptions of science, we also have a tradition that God created the universe, and that God had made a revelation to our ancestors, asserting who God is and indicating how God wants us humans to respond to this. A big challenge for me! If I simply evolved, then I can do whatever I am capable of doing. If God created me, then I need to pay attention to what God expects of me.

Maurice A. Williams