Time, Infinity and God

Alternatively, "Time, Infinity, and the Inference to God".

Abstract
(1) Counting to Infinity
  • It is impossible to count to infinity. No matter how long you count, you will always be at a finite number (and will never reach infinity).
  • Similarly, no physical entity can cross an infinity by addition (i.e, by sequential addition of finite quantities).
  • Therefore, the physical universe could not have existed for ever. (To have existed for ever, the physical universe would have had to have crossed an infinity of time, i.e., an infinite number of finite moments of time). See here for optional additional discussion.

  • It is IRRATIONAL faith therefore to believe that the physical universe existed for ever.
  • Similarly, it is IRRATIONAL faith to believe that the physical multiverse existed for ever (the multiverse is itself a physical entity and therefore cannot have existed for ever, based on the discussion above). (Note: the multiverse refers to the idea that a physical mother universe gave birth to our universe, and that infinite numbers of parent and child universes exist...)
(2) Out of Nothing
  • It is impossible for something to just spring into existence (by itself) out of Nothing.
  • If absolutely nothing existed (to begin with), then nothing is present to cause something to come into existence.
  • Furthermore, if absolutely nothing exists, then a framework for existence (of anything) does not exist...
  • ... and the laws which would govern the "springing into existence of something" themselves do not exist...

  • It is IRRATIONAL faith therefore to believe that the universe sprang into existence, by itself, and out of absolutely nothing.
(3) Needing a Cause
  • Everything that comes into existence needs a cause.

  • It is IRRATIONAL faith to believe that things come into existence (by themselves) without a cause.
Discussion
  • Given items 1,2,3 above, we see ...
    • (a) the entire physical universe did not exist for ever, but came into existence a finite time-period ago,
    • (b) the universe could not have just sprung into existence by itself and out of nothing,
    • (c) the entire physical universe came into existence and therefore needs a cause...
  • What could this cause be ?
    • (i) The cause can not be physical (based on the discussion above), and
    • (ii) The cause must be eternal; it must have always existed (it could not have come into existence, out of non-existence, based on the discussion above).

  • The cause would therefore have to be an eternal, non-physical entity...
  • The Christian God is such an entity.
Additional Areas of Evidence
  • Additional areas of evidence are briefly discussed below.
The Big Bang
  • Extensive scientific evidence discovered in the last several decades indicate that the universe is not eternal but came into existence a finite time-duration ago.
  • The best scientific understanding is that the universe came into existence (was created) in an explosive creation event now commonly called the "Big Bang".
  • The Big Bang has theistic implications and can rationally be considered as pointing to the existence of a non-physical creator-entity (as discussed here).
  • The Christian God is such an entity.
The fine-tuned Universe
  • A lot of scientific evidence discovered in the last several decades indicate that the universe is not random in terms of its physical laws and physical constants.
  • The physical constants in particular appear to be very carefully fine-tuned (to very very high degrees of precision) to enable intelligent life to exist (as discussed here).
  • The fine-tuning of the universe has theistic implications and can rationally be considered as pointing to the existence of a non-physical creator and fine-tuner entity.
  • The Christian God is such an entity.
Information & Language in DNA
  • Scientific investigation shows the presence of information and language in DNA (including rules of grammar).
  • Outside of DNA, scientists know of more than 5000 languages. In every single case, it took intelligence to design the language.
  • It is therefore rational to infer that an intelligent designer designed the language in DNA.
  • The Christian God is such an intelligent designer.
Origin of First Life
  • Scientific investigation shows that First life (in our universe) could not have originated by random chance. The probabilites are infinitismally low.
  • A rational inference is the existence of an intelligent designer who designed and formed the first self-replicators.
  • The Christian God is such an intelligent designer.
Intelligent Design
  • Intelligent Design Theory provides a scientific methodology to identify the activity of an Intelligent Designer.
    • This methodology works extremely well when applied to artifacts in the fields of
      • archeology
      • forensics
      • cryptography
      • anthropology
      • reverse engineering etc.
    • Furthermore, the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) program is founded on this methodology.
    • Interestingly when the same methodology is applied to Microbiology, evidence is seen for Intelligent Design.
      • For more detail, see here.
  • Who could the intelligent designer be?
    • The Christian God is such an intelligent designer.
Summary
Other areas of Evidence
  • Other areas of evidence for the existence of God, and the rationality of Christian faith, are discussed on this website (either by articles or links to articles on other websites).
Wishing you Peace and Joy through Jesus Christ.