Ken Ham's Critique of the Big Bang

A thorough exploration of Answers in Genesis reveals a clear opposition to the Big Bang theory. Ken Ham, the founder of AiG, openly rejects this concept. In a recent video published by AiG, one of Ham's associates stated that blending the Big Bang model with Christianity should be avoided. The AiG team perceives the theory as fundamentally at odds with the biblical account of creation.

In a recent discussion, they referenced new images from the James Webb Space Telescope, which supposedly challenge established theories regarding galaxy formation. This, according to AiG, represents a small victory in demonstrating the shortcomings of the Big Bang theory.

Believers often highlight that the Big Bang theory inadequately addresses the origins of time and matter. Ham argues that the theory is rooted in atheistic or naturalistic views. Additionally, there is a prevalent sentiment within the scientific community that the Big Bang is an unquestionable starting point for the universe's evolution.

Bias in the Scientific Community

The assertion of bias against the Big Bang theory is undoubtedly valid. It is a widely accepted position in modern astronomy and related fields. An intriguing article from Scientific American by Sarah Scoles titled "Life as We Don't Know It" discusses innovative approaches to detecting extraterrestrial life. Within the article, Scoles states:

"In the beginning, there was the Big Bang. Hydrogen, the simplest element, formed. Then came helium. Much later, organic molecules—conglomerations of carbon atoms with other elements attached."

The casual acceptance of the Big Bang as a fact, despite the uncertainties surrounding it, showcases a clear bias.

The Christian Roots of the Big Bang Theory

Despite claims that the Big Bang theory emerged from atheistic ideologies, its origins are linked to a Catholic priest, Fr. Georges Lemaître. In 1931, Lemaître proposed the Big Bang model, building on concepts introduced by Edwin Hubble and Albert Einstein. He suggested that the universe is expanding from a "primeval atom" that erupted, leading to the creation of space and time.

Lemaître received significant recognition from both the scientific community and the Catholic Church. Pope Pius XII praised his hypothesis, viewing it as compatible with the biblical concept of "Let there be light" found in Genesis. Lemaître himself clarified that his theory was entirely scientific, devoid of metaphysical implications.

Let There Be Light!

The Holy Bible states:

"And God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness" (Gen. 1:3-4).

The imagery of a "primordial atom" leading to an expanding fireball aligns with biblical narratives. While Lemaître’s theory is scientific, the Bible serves a religious purpose, focusing on spiritual truths rather than precise scientific explanations. The biblical text aims to convey the divine narrative of salvation, from Adam to Jesus Christ.

Could the "light" in Genesis actually correspond to the Big Bang? Ultimately, this is known only to God.

Upon examining contemporary interpretations of the Big Bang, we are prompted to reflect on the magnificence of God, who exists apart from His creation. According to Space: A Visual Encyclopedia (DK Publishing, 2010), there was no "before" the Big Bang, as neither time nor matter existed prior to that moment.

This notion leans more toward philosophy than physics. For Christians, this understanding of the universe resonates deeply. While matter may not have existed before the Big Bang, God—purely spiritual—was always present. Thus, even in the absence of material creation, God existed.

Thomas Aquinas on the Universe's Origins

Saint Thomas Aquinas discusses the universe's beginnings in his Quaestiones Disputatae de Potentia. He concluded that time could not exist before the universe, asserting that time and matter are interdependent. Aquinas stated:

"Just as there isn't real space outside the universe, but one we imagine when we say God could make something at such-and-such a distance from the universe, so there wasn't real time before the universe began, but one we imagine when we talk of a last moment of non-being."

Aquinas firmly maintained that the universe is not eternal. By Lemaître's era, scientists had begun considering that our universe did not always exist but had a definitive beginning. His theory aligns with both traditional Catholic philosophy and the teachings of Scripture.

Faith and Reason: Insights from the Knights of Columbus

The April edition of Columbia, the official magazine of the Knights of Columbus, featured numerous articles centered on the Big Bang, the James Webb Space Telescope, and astronomy. The opinions expressed were varied yet insightful. In an interview with Michael Menzel, the JWST's lead systems engineer and a Catholic, he remarked that "the Big Bang happened about 13.8 billion years ago."

Menzel discussed unexpected discoveries made by the JWST, noting that early galaxies were significantly larger and more complex than previously anticipated. Unlike Ham, Menzel perceives no conflict between these findings and the Big Bang model.

He further emphasized the shared pursuit of truth in both faith and science, stating, "Both religion and science are looking for the truth... I see no conflict between the two at all."

This perspective—that faith and reason complement each other—has been echoed by both secular scientists and religious leaders. Albert Einstein remarked:

"Now, even though the realms of religion and science in themselves are clearly marked off from each other, nevertheless there exist between the two strong reciprocal relationships and dependencies."

Despite being a scientist who did not believe in a personal God, Einstein acknowledged the interconnectedness of faith and scientific inquiry.

Conclusion: The Interplay of Creation and the Cosmos

Ultimately, both religious belief and science share a common origin and aim: the pursuit of truth. In line with thinkers like Einstein, Lemaître, and Menzel, Pope St. John Paul II asserted that science and faith are not merely compatible but mutually enriching.

As we contemplate our cosmic origins, we may find resonance in Carl Sagan's assertion that we are made of "star stuff." God, who created the universe—perhaps with a bang—also shaped humanity from the very elements of creation.

In embracing our place in the cosmos, we echo the sentiments of the Psalmist: "The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork" (Ps. 19:1).

This first video, titled "Catholics and The Big Bang Theory," delves into the dialogue between faith and the scientific understanding of the universe's origins.

The second video, "Catholic Origins of the Big Bang Theory w/ Prof. Karin Öberg (Aquinas 101)," explores the Catholic roots of the Big Bang theory and its implications for faith.

Bibliography:

Aquinas, T. (2008). Selected philosophical writings (Timothy McDermott, Ed.). Oxford University Press.

Einstein, A. (1954). Ideas and opinions (Carl Seelig, Ed.). Wings Books.

Horobin, W., Ed. (2010). Space: a visual encyclopedia. DK Publishing.

Note: All Scripture passages are quoted from the RSV Bible Catholic Edition.