The Scale of the Universe

Move through God's creation from the smallest known object to the approximate size of the universe.

When God Rested, The Creation of New Animal Species Stopped

Genesis 2:2 says that after God created humanity, God rested from His labors. Another way of saying this, God stopped creating new animals on this planet.

Up until the time of the rise of human beings, the creation of new animal species ran at a rate of approximately one per year. A pretty amazing pace. But since humans hit the scene, no new animal species have been created upon the earth. This includes habitats where no humans were present. When God created us, the creation engine stopped.

There is still argument between biologists over the definition of an animal species. I am using the broadest sense that science is currently using. Dr. Hugh Ross describes it as this; “In natural habitats undisturbed by human activity, biologists have yet to observe the production of one distinctly new (physiologically incapable of interbreeding) animal species.”

The Bible says that on the seventh day God rested. Modern biology says that when God rested, the earth stopped producing new animals.

(the above picture is the first new species created since humans – the KermitCat.)

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Introduction of Life on the Earth

Genesis 1:12


The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

The early earth’s atmosphere was rich in carbon dioxide, which was produced by a great deal of volcanic activity, and water vapor created when a large asteroid crashed into the planet and vaporized the oceans. The same volcanic activity caused the creation of land at just the right time for plant life to take advantage of the perfect atmospheric conditions. Looking at the above passage you can see a description of God created plant life on earth. Abundant plant life created enough oxygen to support large bodied animal life.

Psalm 104:29-30

When you hide your face,
they (all living things) are terrified;

when you take away their breath,

they die and return to the dust.

When you send your Spirit,

they are created,

and you renew the face of the earth.

From the beginning of life on earth, creatures are introduced by God and removed in just the right sequence. Take a look at these verses from Psalm 104. The passage describes living things appearing on the earth and also disappearing. What science calls extinction we now know as necessary for the renewal of earth’s biology and the appearance of more sophisticated species. Humans could not have competed with the dinosaurs, and thus those enormous creatures died and were “return(ed) to the dust”.

Genesis 1:20

And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky."

Roughly 500 million years ago the land and the oceans teemed with life. Upwards of 80 percent of all of the life that has ever lived on this planet existed during this remarkable period called the Cambrian explosion. As you can see God made it all and declared it good. And the Bible gave us a record of this amazing process long before science started to tease it out of the fossil record.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

The Bible and Science Describe the Early Earth

 


Genesis 1:1 describes the following conditions that match what science is saying about the early earth;

1. Entirely covered with water
2. Wrapped in darkness
3. Devoid of life
4. Unfit for life

Modern science says that the early earth was covered in an ocean, and had a thick atmosphere that did not allow light to strike the surface.

Genesis 1:2 describes God’s Spirit present over the developing creation like an expectant parent. (see Deut. 32:11 for similar usage of language)

Genesis 1:3 says that God caused light to fall upon the world. Current science says that a large asteroid hit the earth causing the early oceans to turn to super heated steam thus blowing away the early opaque atmosphere, allowing light to hit the surface of the earth through a translucent atmosphere. This event also created our moon; Genesis 1:16.

Genesis 1:6-8 is a description of the water cycle, which makes life on our world possible.

Genesis 1:9-10 describes the growth of the land masses.

I hope you can see from this brief description, that the Bible and modern science are not as far off as most people believe. If you wish to learn more I suggest buying the book; “Why the Universe is the Way it is” by Hugh Ross. The above information comes from this wonderful Christian physicist.

Peace,
Pastor Bill

Why So Little Carbon?

Without carbon, physical life is impossible. No other element displays the rich chemical behavior needed to form the range of complex molecular structures life requires. Given that physical life must be carbon based, why would God make a universe with so little carbon?

Researchers have found that the quantity of carbon must be carefully balanced between just enough and not too much because carbon, though essential for life, can also be destructive to life. Too much carbon translates into too much carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and methane. In large quantities, these gases are poisonous. In modest quantities, their greenhouse properties keep the planet sufficiently warm for life. In larger quantities, they can heat a planet’s surface beyond what physical life can tolerate.

One of the wonders of Earth is that it is sufficiently carbon rich and carbon poor. It carries enough carbon for life but not so much as to interfere with life’s atmospheric needs, such as the appropriate pressure and density for efficient operation of lungs and a temperature range that supports a wide diversity of active, advanced species.

From; Why the Universe is the Way It Is, by Hugh Ross. Copyright 2008 by Reasons to Believe, published by Baker Books.

Comet McNaught a Wonder from God

Saw a pretty bright comet this morning at 3:30 AM with my good friend Helder. We brought several telescopes and gazed with wonder at this amazing sight. God's creation is truly wonderous! Since I started gazing into the night sky, I am awed by what I have seen. The heavens really are telling the Glory of God! This picture is from an astronomy web site that I am a member of. Enjoy.