Theologians sometimes argue the universe displays divine purpose in that it exhibits evidence of design, which is indicated by the regularity of natural laws, and that these laws are specifically ordered to bring about the emergence of humanity as the pinnacle of the creative evolutionary process.

It seems unlikely that this assumption is true. The idea that the laws of nature imply a law-giver is an error that arises from confusion between natural and human law. The laws that govern society command its members to behave in a certain way – a way that they may either choose to observe or choose not to observe.

Natural laws, however, are an inherent aspect of the structure of matter. They are mathematical descriptions of how nature behaves, and being mere descriptions of what nature does, it is not possible in my opinion to argue that there must be a law-giver who “told” nature to behave in a certain way.

Theologians may argue that God made matter. But how do we know that God made matter? Everything that we know about things that have been made comes from the experience of things that we already know have been made. If after examining atoms it was discovered that they bore a strong resemblance to artifacts we know are the products of manufacture, then perhaps we could validly deduce that matter has been made, but no such similarity exists. Indeed, all the evidence points to a natural origin for the universe.

The idea that the emergence of humanity in particular and nature in general is the aim of divine purpose is, in my opinion, refuted by the inevitable extinction of our species and the universe as a whole – a fate determined by the very laws of nature (the second law of thermodynamics, specifically) to which the theologians appeal.

Our sun is a star, and like all stars, it produces the energy that life on Earth depends upon by the fusion of hydrogen to helium in its core. However, there comes a time in every star’s life when it runs out of the hydrogen that fuels its thermonuclear reactions. Astronomers and physicists have calculated that our sun will reach the beginning of the end of its life about 5 billion years from now. By then, it will have converted all the hydrogen in its core to helium.

When this happens, gravitational forces will compress the core, allowing the rest of the sun to swell like an inflating balloon to hundreds of times its current size and become what astronomers call a red giant. In the process of expanding, the sun will engulf the inner planets of the solar system – Mercury, Venus, and Earth will be completely vaporized.

Of course, all life on Earth will have perished long before this event, for it will have been destroyed by the tremendous heat of our star’s steadily encroaching sphere. After the red giant phase, approximately 7 to 8 billion years from now, our sun will eventually collapse in upon itself to form a white dwarf, which will slowly cool until nothing remains but a dark, dim globe of inert matter - the last observable stage of evolution for low and medium-mass stars such as ours.

The death of our sun is inevitable, as is the eventual death of all the stars in the universe. In the inconceivably distant future, about 100 trillion years from now, after all the gas needed for star formation has been exhausted, and existing stars have run out of fuel, the universe will be a cold and lifeless void of eternal darkness. What then of divine purpose?

Of course, the theologians will probably claim that although the universe is gradually running down, God will rewind His creation, so to speak, and all will be right with the world. Just how this hoped-for miracle (perhaps wishful thinking would be a more accurate term) of cosmic proportions will be accomplished remains unknown. But perhaps I am expecting too much from the theologians. After all, they are neither astronomers nor physicists, are they?

The theologians may say science paints a rather bleak picture and that their views give hope, while the atheistic position can only lead to depression and despair. But I say the meaning of life is found in life itself rather than a belief in egotistical gods who demand we worship them. The meaning of life, in my opinion, consists of striving to make the world a better place for our children and our children’s children.



Asimov, Isaac: Exploring the Earth & the Cosmos, Allen Lane, London, 1983

Russell, Bertrand: Religion & Science, Oxford University Press, London, 1980

Coles, Peter (Ed.): The Icon Critical Dictionary of the New Cosmology, Icon Books, Cambridge, 1998


Illustration Credits

The free public domain image of an astronomer peering behind the creation was obtained from:
 www.godecookery.com/clipart/misc/clmisc07.htm

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Simon: I contracted a builder to construct a house for me.

Kirk: You wasted your money. The house will get old and fall apart, and you yourself will die. Therefore the house has no purpose!

Simon: On the contrary, its purpose is to raise my family in it, in security and comfort. A house is better than living on the sidewalk for 50 years.

Kirk: I didn't think of that.



Mr Straughen writes: "The idea that the emergence of humanity in particular and nature in general is the aim of divine purpose is, in my opinion, refuted by the inevitable extinction of our species and the universe as a whole…"

However, before the Universe goes "extinct" much can happen. Who knows what technologies humans could discover and control in billions of years and what other universes will exist to which humans could relocate? Two centuries ago no one knew of today's technologies, yet Straughen looks ahead billions of years!

The purpose of the Universe at present is as a place for humans to live and collectively acquire the abilities of God — as Genesis 11 says "Nothing that they propose to do will  now be impossible for them."

In turn humans provide God with intelligent companionship. God likes company because this is more fun than solitude especially during long periods like eternity. Some Bible verses suggest that humans give God pleasure. We read, for example, "The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love." (Psalm 147:11)

Straughen's other point was: "Natural laws … are mathematical descriptions of how nature behaves … it is not possible … that there must be a law-giver who "told" nature  what to do…"

I suspect that nature and its laws commenced together at the so-called "Big Bang", not nature first and its laws later.

Investigator has hosted multiple debates about the startling intelligence indicated in "how the Universe works" — e.g.


Straughen regularly complains of "no evidence", and now of no purpose, even though confronted with the evidence and conclusions of scientists who studied the Universe and its laws for decades.

https://ed5015.tripod.com/

https://investigatormagazine.net