Why the Universe Is the Way It Is (Reasons to Believe)

by Hugh Ross

Previous to the twentieth century and the building of telescopes that can clearly see galaxies beyond the outer limits of the Milky Way, scientists and philosophers tended to complain that the universe was far too small to be the work of God.

Unfortunately, some can’t see the obvious and instead propose unlikely solutions when the only problem is their unbelief.

If the universe were any smaller or larger, younger or older, brighter or darker, more or less efficient as a radiator, and if human observers were located where most stars and planets reside, the view would be so blocked as to give few (if any) clues about what lies beyond. We would be blind to the realm we live in!

Physical life cannot exist in a universe with a mass density any less or any more than the actual cosmic value.

Scientists gained profound understanding when they discovered that the laws and constants of physics themselves impose theoretical limits on how much cosmic history astronomers can view. Astronomers now recognize that only one relatively brief epoch in cosmic history allows for direct observation and measurement of its entire sweep. For example, it takes time for light to travel from distant galaxies to an observer’s telescope. Up to a certain limit, the older the universe, the greater the distance at which astronomers can make observations, or the farther back in time they can see. The universe is now sufficiently ancient that astronomers can actually witness the moment when light first separated from darkness (see figure 3.6).

Fascinating but should be common knowledge and taught in grade school.