ORIGINS Genesis 1-11 Universe: Origin of the Universe (Part 1) James River Community Church David Curfman February May 2013
What s really out in space? Hubble Space telescope has provided the most extraordinary views over the last 22 years http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khysm1ybqva "Who can study the science of astronomy and contemplate the star-lit heavens with knowledge of the dimensions of the celestial bodies, their movements and their enormous distances, without bowing his head in reverence to the power that brought this universe into being and safely guides its individual members?" - Dr. Arthur Harding, University of Arkansas
Outline 1. Genesis 1-11 (Introduction) 2. Genesis 1:1-31 (Universe Part 1) 3. Genesis 1:1-31 (Universe Part 2) 4. Genesis 1: 3-12 (Earth) 5. Genesis 1:13-25 (Plants and Animals) 6. Genesis 1:26-31 (Man male and female) 7. Genesis 1:32-2:4a (Rest, the week, Sabbath) 8. Genesis 2:4b-2:24 (Man and Woman, Garden of Eden & Marriage) 9. Genesis 3-5:1a (Sin & Curse) 10.Genesis 5:1b-6:9a (Decay) 11.Genesis 6:9b 10:1a (Flood & Justice) 12. Genesis 10:1b -12:4 (Nations and Languages)
Universe: Objectives Ground rules (repeat): Rely on Holy Spirit for direction Open discussion Learn from each other Challenge the assumptions Listen to opinions and data and Word of God Respect each other Develop a preliminary background of Genesis, Chapter 1 Understand the primary models for origin of the universe Understand the Big Bang Theory overall time and sequences Understand assumptions, data, and challenges of the Big Bang Theory Understand the importance of this portion of Scripture
Earth: Genesis 2:4a & 1:1-31; 2:1-4a The creation progresses over two triads of days looking back respectively to without form and void of Day 1 Heavens and Formless, Void, & Watery Earth (v. 1); Separated Light & Darkness (v. 3) Day 4 Sun, moon and stars; Separated Light & darkness (v. 14) Day 2 Sky & Water (v. 6) Day 5 Fowl & fish for sky and water(v. 21) Day 3 Land, seas, & vegetation (vv. 9 11) Day 6 Animals & humans (vv. 24 30) *From http://www.answersingenesis.org The pattern of each day is similar: an announcement ( God said ) a command ( let there be ) a report ( and it was so ) an evaluation ( it was good ) a chronological framework (e.g., the first day ).
Universe: Origin Models How did the Universe begin? Spoken into existence by God Genesis literal Account Big Bang current secular model. God spoke Big Bang Intelligent Design Cyclical Universe and Steady State Universe i.e. Universe is Eternal What was the intent of Moses in writing Genesis Chapter 1? Literal one day is 24 hours (Young Earth) Figurative one day = millions of years (Day=Age Theory). Hebrew Yom could be a period of time (Next week) Big Bang, (v1) then recreation (Gap Theory). one day = 24 hours, but millions of years in between (Punctuated Day Theory) Framework God s accommodation to the limitations of human knowledge (understandable to finite and frail human beings). Liturgical Hymn Repetitive nature of each day.
Universe: What is the Big Bang Theory? Actually not a theory on the origin of the universe, the initiation of creation, or what came before the big bang, rather a theory on the expansion of the universe from a single point (initially faster than the speed of light) Discover Magazine Proposed by Edwin Hubble in 1929 (along with others) Suggests that the universe (space-time-mass) had a beginning 13.75 Billion years ago. Time started at this point. Didn t really explode but expanded Suggests that, initially, infinite matter and temperature existed in zero space and time ( singularity, where all laws of physics break down including time) Suggests that the universe is expanding (rather than contracting from gravity) at the an increasing rate Suggests that, as the space expanded, matter came with it (like dust on a balloon).
Universe: How does the Big Bang theory depict the shape and size of the Universe? We now know (as of 2013) that the universe is flat with only a 0.4% margin of error. NASA Suggests that the size of the universe is 46.5 billion light years In class discussion on distances
Universe: What Data Supports the Theory? 1. Cosmic Background Radiation (low level microwave) at 3 K (-270 C) filling the universe 2. Expansion of the Universe Other galaxies moving away from Milky Way at great speeds as evidences by shift in the Red light spectrum of galaxies (e.g. like Doppler effect; blue light is coming closer) over time (last 50 years) Using measurements of the change in expansion rate, the age of the universe is calculated to be 13.75 billion years old 3. Abundance of helium and hydrogen in the universe supports nuclear fusion at big bang Three excellent reasons exist for believing in the big-bang theory PBS.org 4. Ages of earth and moon rocks are dated at 3-4 billion years when using radiometric dating techniques (2 weeks) 5. Distances to farthest stars are over 40 billion light years when using energy spectrum measurements
Universe: Tweaks to the Big Bang Theory Original Prediction Observation Tweak Universe is spherical Universe is flat ( Flatness Problem ) Dark Matter Expansion is slowing Expansion is increasing Dark Energy Background radiation is non-homogenous due to interstellar distances greater than time allowed to contact Even distribution of Matter Time flows at constant rate Background radiation is homogenous ( Horizon Problem ) Massive super clusters of galaxies Time slows as you approach the speed of light (Einstein) Inflation A period during initial bang (light went faster than speed of light) Dark Matter Unanswered Galaxies are flat Galaxies are lumpy Dark Matter
Universe: What is Dark Energy and Matter? Dark Energy Since the expansion of the universe is not slowing down due to gravity but rather speeding up, dark energy (anti-gravity) is pushing things apart. the invisible stuff constituting most of the mass of the universe Discover Magazine.. Dark energy is not directly observed, but rather inferred from observations of gravitational interactions between astronomical objects - NASA Dark Matter Invisible matter that we can t detect (NASA) that causes galaxies to be flat rather than spherical and the outer parts rotate as fast as the inner parts.
Universe: Unanswered Questions for the Big Bang Theory Question Answer Comment What about the First Law of Thermodynamics - Conservation of Energy and Matter? What was the cause of Big Bang? How do we measure distances in space? Does star movement require expansion? How do we measure age? At Big Bang, physical laws don t apply No answer Cosmic distances ladder No answer Distance and moon rocks None Some say Uncaused or Eternal Only measure accurately to 500 light years using parallax.some astronomers feel entire universe could fit 200 light-years away! Is the universe expanding or are stars and galaxies merely moving? Or are we moving? Little proof on radioactive dating Methods (2 weeks) Do all scientist agree? No See article in session
Universe: How do we measure distances?
Universe: What Do the Scripture Say? Genesis 22:17 stars of heaven represent an extremely large quantity. God will multiply Abraham s descendants as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is on the sea shore. See also Genesis 32:12 (this represents a number which is uncountable by humans: the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude. ) Nehemiah 9:6 You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you. Job 9:8 He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. Job 38:4 -"Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Psalm 89:11 The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it. Psalm 102:25 In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. Psalm 115:15 May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 136:5 Who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. Psalm 148:5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created.
Universe: What Do the Scripture Say? Isaiah 40:22a Indicates the earth is round circle of the earth. Isaiah 40:22b Indicates the universe is expanding God stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. Isaiah 42:5 This is what God the LORD says--he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: Isaiah 45:18 For this is what the LORD says--he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited--he says: "I am the LORD, and there is no other. Jeremiah 10:12 But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. Jeremiah 33:25 Indicates the universe obeys physical laws the ordinances of heaven and earth The universe is neither haphazard nor arbitrary; nature conforms to logical, mathematical relationships set in place by the Lord. Jeremiah 51:15 - "He made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.
Universe: What Do the Scripture Say? Mark 13:19 God created the world John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:2 He was with God in the beginning. Acts 17:24 The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. Acts 14:15 God made Heaven and Earth and everything in them. Romans 1:19 20 - God s power revealed through creation. Ephesians 3:9 God created all things Colossians 1:16 All things created by the Son Hebrews 1:10 He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of (established/completed/) the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Revelation 4:11 You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
Universe: Comparison of Key Creation accounts *From http://www.answersingenesis.org
Introduction: Why is Genesis 1 important? God is the creator The universe testifies to God s eternal power and divine nature (Rom. 1:19-20) The stars and planets all support the home of the image of His creation Matter is not eternal, God is. By faith we understand how the universe was created (Heb. 11:3) Next week Exegesis on Genesis 1 (oldearth and young earth).