It Could Happen! But then, Maybe not.
Last month, I read a New York Times article about a book that trumpeted something to the effect that science was getting close to proving that God wasn't necessary for a creation: that everything could have come from nothing.
The book evidently grew out of a viral video hit by the book's author, Lawrence M. Krause of Arizona State. I had watched the video earlier, so I was interested in the article. The video was slightly crude and as I recall definitely mocked the concept of God and belittled in silly comments and juvenile asides anyone who would believe in God. As I began watching the video, I was expecting some strong argument in favor of "No God" or why it was probable that God had not created the universe. I finished it surprised, entirely and absolutely unimpressed with his arguments against God's existence and involvement in creation because essentially there weren't any arguments. He was merely pushing the possibility that God didn't need to create anything: nothing could have spawned it all and all of us.
Well, thank you, Mr. Krause, for raising that possibility: but that's far from scientific proof, let alone at least a galaxy away from a strong argument that God does not exist and therefore was not involved. From my personal life experience, some people could come to a justifiable conclusion that I might have been born in Massachusetts, but that possibility does not translate into what really happened and would be thousands of miles off the final truth. Krause's argument seemed to come down to his personal conclusions and beliefs, bolstered by snide remarks (meant to entertain a like-minded audience) about people who have differing views. I will leave to the professor his personal conclusions and beliefs and am glad he can believe as he wants and can base those beliefs on his best thinking and experiences.
But faith is something hard to negate or to chose solely based on the physical world because it involves a relationship and interaction with a being that exists beyond our physical, natural world: a truly supernatural being. The only real proof for faith comes within those who sincerely desire it and who will do what's required to have it. It will come only in our experience with a revealed, personal God.
I am anxious to admit that I was fascinated by the science Krause outlined in the video, and I enjoyed the video; but I was left not with weakened faith nor even with doubt-filled questions: I came away with a greater feeling of awe for divine creation.
It all reminds me of a phrase from a movie our kids used to watch, "It could happen." Maybe, maybe not. But proving or disproving faith and God by science is and will be–until we know all–a futile effort. Science is great at helping us understand the world around us, and I love living at a time when our understanding of the world is expanding (and changing) at such an incredible rate. But a divine (and this is important: supernatural) creator will be revealed only when and how he wills it.
