Author Archives: Rochelle Tolon

Big Bang Theory as Explained in the Bible

The Big Bang Theory has never been matched by any other scientific theory about how everything began. While the theory itself has been modified several times due to new scientific findings, two ideas remain constant: first, that the entire universe came from a single mass of energy that continuously expanded until it formed different galaxies, planets, and stars; second, that the universe is continually expanding everyday.

This article will focus on these concepts and how it corroborates the Biblical account of creation.

The Concept of Singularity

The Big Bang theory stipulates that around 13.8 billion years ago, the universe started out as a small mass with high density which expanded, and the collision and fusion of several substances paved the way for the creation of the galaxies, planets and stars. While this timeline does not provide an exact match for the biblical account of God’s creation in just six days, the Hebrew word used for creation is “bara,” which means to bring to existence something that has never existed before. Big Bang has not been able to deal with how that single dense mass that expanded to become the universe, came into existence. This can only mean that an eternal being, such as God, who exists outside our concept of space and time, is responsible for creating the dense mass that expanded. While the Big Bang theory provides an explanation for how everything came to being after the Big Bang, it still doesn’t explain how the big bang came about – someone had to push the button.

The Concept of an Expanding Universe

According to the Big Bang theory, there are two phases of expansion: the rapid expansion which lead to the universe as we know it today and a continuous but slower expansion as evidenced by the constantly changing distances between different entities. Both types of this expanding or stretching are revealed in Isaiah, which states,

“It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, who stretches (Hebrew: natah) out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads (Hebrew: mathah) them out like a tent to dwell in.” (40:22)

In the original Hebrew text, both the verbs “mathah” (meaning the action has been done) and “natah” (meaning the action is still being done in the present) were used to denote both an ongoing and a completed action.

There are still some aspects of the Big Bang Theory that do not fit with biblical truth. For instance, the world’s end and the establishment of an eternal kingdom as prophesied in Revelations is contradictory to the “Heat Death” which is how the Big Bang is assumed to end. However, we have seen God’s hand on how He enlightened scientists at the perfect time so that portions of the theory can be corrected or supported by more evidence.

As Christians, it is important that we do not let go of our biblical foundations especially regarding Creation. Even before we had the tools and the technology to observe the stars, the planets, and the entire universe, God has equipped us with the truth through His Word. As new scientific evidences come up, it means that God is revealing more of His knowledge to us and He wants to equip us with more evidence so we can be witnesses to His unmatched power and glory. Just another fantastic reason why we should celebrate Creation Day!

Microscopic Evidence of our Big God

“For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse…”

– Romans 1:20

We often look for the evidence of God’s existence in big things. We seek God’s presence by looking at the stars and the sky or by appreciating the vastness of the ocean. However, we tend to ignore the evidence of God’s presence in the small things around and within us. Did God, who is infinitely bigger than the entire universe, really leave His mark in the small things?

Seeing God’s Handiwork Under the Microscope

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, who is also known as the ‘Father of Microbiology’, has always been amazed at how God’s perfection is manifested even in microscopic creatures. He believed that God is responsible for creating everything, including the microscopic creatures that he is so fond of. He wrote the following in one of his letters:

“From all these observations, we discern most plainly the incomprehensible perfection, the exact order, and the inscrutable providential care with which the Most Wise Creator and Lord of the Universe had formed the bodies of these animalcules, which are so minute as to escape our sight, to the end that different species of them may be preserved in existence. And this most wonderful disposition of nature with regard to these animalcules for the preservation of their species; which at the same time strikes us with astonishment, must surely convince all of the absurdity of those old opinions, that living creatures can be produced from corruption of putrefaction.“

– Measuring the Invisible World: The Life and Works of Antoni van Leeuwenhoek by A. Schierbeek

DNA and Single-Celled Organisms

If we are smaller than a speck of dust compared to the vast planets and multiple solar systems in the entire universe, just imagine how small a single-celled bacterium would be in the overall scheme of things. Yet God, in all His perfection and meticulous attention to detail, still took the time to embed a complex DNA structure even in these single-celled organisms. They may be invisible to the naked eye but they are a crucial part of God’s masterpiece and such complex structures cannot be a product of chance or random splicing of amino acids.

God Left Clues for Us to Discover

Genesis states that in all the six days of creation, God saw that everything He made was ‘good’. God is so satisfied with His creation that He left clues in order for us to see His workmanship.

Before the microscope was invented, we had no idea that God made each cell in our body in a very complex manner, or that its processes can be compared to that of a highly advanced city. As science and technology advances, God’s hand in the creation process is slowly unfolding right before our eyes.

Psalm states that

“…the Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” (126:3)

However, let us not limit ourselves to glorifying God in the great things alone. We should be joyful for everything that God has created, even the smallest creations. By celebrating Creation Day, and signing the petition to establish Creation Day as an official holiday, we can glorify God by showing our appreciation and concern for all the things that He has done.

What Does the Bible Say About Global Warming?

Global warming and climate change are concepts that you will not see in the Bible. However, does this mean that as Christians we should just accept what’s happening around us as part of God’s grand design? While the Bible does not mention these terms, it is explicitly clear about our role in taking care of the earth.

Causes of Global Warming

One of the identified causes of global warming is the significant increase in greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Apart from the lesser amount of carbon dioxide that humans release during the breathing process, the majority of these greenhouse gases come from cars, production factories, fertilizers, and other things that humans use regularly.

Natural occurrences such as volcanic eruptions or the sun’s radiation cycles could also contribute to global warming. However, there are no definitive studies yet that will conclude how much of the earth’s increase in temperature can be attributed to natural or artificial causes.

How Should Christians Respond to Global Warming

The issue does not lie on whether we are causing global warming or not. The more important question to ask is what are we going to do about it?

Revelation says:

“The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire.” (16:8)

Should we accept global warming as an apocalyptic event? Or has God given us instructions on how we must deal with global warming and climate change?

God’s Specific Instructions

As stated in Genesis,

“God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (1:28)

Even in the Bible’s first book, God has made it clear that we should have dominion over the earth and be good stewards.

All throughout the Bible, God has also given specific instructions on how we can make this happen. For instance, he gives the following instructions in Leviticus:

“For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops. But in the seventh year the land is to have a year ofSabbath rest, a Sabbath to the Lord. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards.” (25:3-4)

He also told us to rely on His goodness and His sovereign will and to be totally dependent on Him by praying to Him, about the earth. In 2 Chronicles, He says:

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (7:14)

Only God knows what will happen in the future. However, He has given us clear instructions on how we can be good stewards over all of His creation. Aside from His word, He has also given us advanced scientific and technical knowledge that we can use to alleviate global warming and heal the earth for the sake of future generations, who will inherit God’s blessings.

By signing the petition to make Creation Day an official holiday, we can spread awareness among fellow Christians about God’s mandate and our inherent role in taking care of the earth.

Human Chromosome 2: Proof of Evolution or Creation?

The 1990s marked a significant milestone in science because of the discovery of human chromosome 2 and how it could possibly have been a product of the fusion of two chromosomes that can be seen in apes and chimpanzees. It somehow tipped the scales of the evolution vs. creation debate in favor of evolutionists. More than two decades after this scientific discovery, is chromosome 2 still an evidence that evolution really happened, or is it reflective of God’s power over all of His creation?

The “Missing Link” is Still Missing

Chromosome 2 has a structure that resembles a fusion of two chromosomes that exist in apes and chimpanzees. It was used as one of the main evidences that there was a common descendant between man and primates. One main issue that has yet to be resolved is the fact that apart from present-day man with 46 chromosomes and present-day primates with 48 chromosomes, no fossil has been unearthed that would match the “common ancestor” both physically and genetically. This is a loose end that cannot be tied up through scientific experimentation. For now, evolutionists must keep the faith that the missing link will show up soon.

Chromosome 2 Defies the Laws of Genetic Probability

If indeed a random mutation led to the chromosome fusion, then it could have randomly occurred in a single organism and not over an entire population. Trisomy 21 or Down’s Syndrome for instance, only occurs in less than 1% of the time. If fusion occurred in an individual and there are no major situations or conditions that could have triggered the mutation to occur in several other individuals at the same time, then it will not necessarily continue to manifest after millions of years.

Chromosome 2 Fusion as Evidence of God’s Hand in Creation

While several attempts have been made to duplicate the possible fusion, scientists can only come up with approximations and assumptions, such as the findings documented in a recent experiment by scientist Mario Ventura and others, in 2012. What could have triggered the “fusion” millions of years ago is something that scientists may not be able to replicate today.

Even if scientists are eventually able to do so through manipulation of the environment or through advanced gene splicing techniques, this will only serve as evidence of either of the following scenarios: 1) God has manipulated the environment to trigger such fusion, or 2) God saw that the fusion of chromosomes 2A and 2B would perfectly fit mankind and decided to use that when He created man.

The existence of Choromosome 2, whether through fusion or not, is not contradictory to the biblical account of creation in Genesis 1, which states:

“And God said, ‘Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.’ And it was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.” (24-25)

Our generation is blessed with tools and instruments that allow us to take a closer look at God’s wonderful creation and to explore His intricate and complex design in everything around us. The biblical account of creation has laid down the foundation for us – we know that God created everything in six days and rested on the seventh day. But this should not stop us from using science as our ally instead of our enemy. God has left a lot of clues in all His creation for us to discover.

As mentioned in Mark 4:

“For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.” (22-23)

There will come in time that His full glory will be revealed and we will celebrate Creation Day and the wonders of His creation along with everyone who knows the truth!

Please sign our petition to establish Creation Day as an official holiday!

The Ocean as a Channel of God’s Blessing

We often thank God for His provisions and for the evidence of His grace in our lives. Most of the time, however, we forget to thank Him for the blessings we get from nature and His other creation. Our busy lives rob us of the opportunity to bask in the glorious abundance of the land and the seas that surround us. We are content with worshipping God in the comforts of our own home or our church, and we fail to appreciate the fact that God meticulously created nature for us to enjoy and take care of.

The moment we confine ourselves to routine and forget about our duty to take care of nature, we also neglect the fact that we are responsible for the massive damage that nature is experiencing right now. In particular, our oceans are in dire need of protection and conservation. Marine life diversity is in constant danger because of the pollution and harmful chemicals that are dumped in the ocean daily. Directly or indirectly, we have played a major role in the ocean’s devastation – something that has already been happening even in biblical times.

This can be seen in Isaiah 24:4-6;

“The earth dries up and withers, the world languishes and withers, the heavens languish with the earth. The earth is defiled by its people; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse consumes the earth; its people must bear their guilt. Therefore earth’s inhabitants are burned up, and very few are left.”

Our Biblical Mandate to Care for the Ocean

One of the reasons why God created man is for him to be able to rule over all creations.

In Genesis 1:26, God said;

“…Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

We should honor God and obey the mandate He gave us by making sure that we are able to take care of all His creation, including the ocean.It is never too late to include ocean stewardship in the daily cross that we have to bear.

Yes, we can honor God by singing praises to Him. We can obey His commands by sharing the gospel to others. But we must also be burdened by the responsibility to take care of the ocean so we can continue to enjoy all the blessings that God has prepared for us through the vast bodies of water that He has created.

We do not have to leave our jobs or our ministry. Little things that we do on a daily basis can greatly contribute to our collective effort to protect our ocean and marine life from further damage and destruction. By being involved in community campaigns and petitions to celebrate creation and protect our environment, we are already pleasing God in our own little way.

Join us in the upcoming celebration of Creation Day. Click here to find out more about Creation Day 2015.