The Big Bang and Religion

 

 

What kind of position does the church have on the big bang cosmology and the theory of evolution? A former university professor gives the readers of the Catholic Times some thoughts on the subject. 

 

In order to answer this question, we first need to look at the 'Great Jubilee Address of Scientists', one of several speeches delivered by Pope St. John Paul II during the Great Jubilee of the year 2000.

 

"Based on an attentive observation of the complexity of terrestrial phenomena, and following the object and method proper to each discipline, scientists discover the laws which govern the universe, as well as their interrelationship. They stand in wonderment and humility before the created order and feel drawn to the love of the Author of all things. Faith, for its part, is able to integrate and assimilate every research, for all research, through a deeper understanding of created reality in all its specificity, gives man the possibility of discovering the Creator, source and goal of all things." (Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made (Rom 1:20).(Pope St. John Paul II 'Address for the Great Jubilee of Scientists', 25 May 2000)

 

In this speech by the Pope, the words "the source of all things" appear in reference to faith. Who is the source of all things, the source of the universe and the source of life? It is the 'Creator God' that follows these words. After all, the Pope is saying that 'our faith offers man the possibility of discovering God the Creator, the source of all things'. Atheistic scientists say 'it happened by chance' the beginning of the universe and the  appearance of life on earth. The Pope  is saying our faith provides the possibility of discovering God the Creator, the source of all things. Faith explains the origin of all things, the origin of the universe and the source of life, in terms of necessity (not chance). 

 

Let us now look at the message of St. John Paul II, sent to the General Assembly of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences held on October 22, 1996.

 

"I like the first topic you have chosen: the origin and evolution of life. This is an important subject in which the Church is deeply concerned. For revelation also contains teachings about the nature and origins of man.  The Magisterium of the Church is directly concerned with the problem of evolution. Because it contains the concept of man. Revelation teaches us that man is created in the image and likeness of God."

 

 According to this message of the Pope, it can be seen that 'the Church is watching with great interest the subject of evolution'. Because the concept of evolution includes the concept of man. 'Since the concept of human beings in the image of God is now being dealt with within the theory of evolution, I will be watching with interest how evolutionists explain humans.' And the sentence "Revelation teaches us that man is created in the image and likeness of God" is included in this discourse. Why did the Pope include this sentence? He explicitly nailed it here, saying, 'No matter how much atheistic scientists try to put other animals and humans on the same level through the theory of evolution, the church does not teach it that way'. The Pope clearly emphasizes that man was created as a special being in the image of God.

 

The Church's attitude towards science is clearly embodied in this discourse. No matter how scientists scientifically argue, we will never let go of our own teachings about the unique human nature of 'human beings as God's image', and we will see what scientists say about humans is the position of the Church.

 

Now, I will present the most recent position of the Church on the big bang cosmology and evolution. On October 27, 2014, Pope Francis read a speech in person at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

 

"The Big Bang theory being proposed today as the origin of the universe does not contradict, but relies on, the Intervention of God the Creator. Evolution in nature does not conflict with the idea of creation. For evolution presupposes the creation of evolving beings." (Pope Francis, Address to the General Assembly of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, 27 October 2014)

 

The Pope is saying that 'the Big Bang event depends on the intervention of God the Creator'. In other words, he is saying that 'the first moment of the Big Bang was not a coincidence, but was caused by the inevitability of God the Creator's intervention'. And regarding the theory of evolution, by saying that "evolution presupposes the creation of evolving beings," he is saying that "evolving life forms exist on the premise of the first life form created by God." This is the official Church position on the Big Bang cosmology and evolution.

 

Atheist scientists gloss over the first moment of the Big Bang and the moment of life's first appearance as chance, explaining the next changes according to the laws and principles of natural science and saying, "Isn't there a place for God in space and life?" In his 2014 speech, "Big Bang relies on God's intervention and evolution is a simple authoritative premise of evolution." The current official position of the Catholic Church is perfectly summarized by this speech by the Pope.

 

So what attitude should we take toward science now? In order to better understand God the Creator, we need to study the big bang theory and the theory of evolution to some extent. Just accept that there was God's intervention at the starting point of the universe and the first starting point of life. Science and faith are both directed towards God and must exist together in order to bear witness to God. Therefore, we should study and use science as much as necessary to proclaim God the Creator, the source of all things, the source of the universe and life.