Modern times have seen new concepts  added to those of an earlier era.. string theory, black holes,  dark matter, and big bang discussions have taken center stage. Questions of when, how, and why provide new modes of science - faith interaction and controversy.

Why the Hunt for Extraterrestrial Life is Important

On Wednesday, something remarkable happened at Capitol Hill. In a special hearing, lawmakers of the House Science Committee discussed the search for extraterrestrial life with three experts for 2 hours. The question and answer session focused around efforts to find everything from alien microbes under rocks on Mars to full-blown SETI efforts to seek out transmitting extraterrestrial intelligence....

Here are a few articles from PSCF and other sources that open up these topics.

     Cosmology

cos·mol·o·gy/käzˈmäləjē/

Andrew Zimmerman Jones and Daniel Robbins, "The Basic Elements of String Theory," Five key ideas are at the heart of string theory. Become familiar with these key elements of string theory right off the bat. Read on for the very basics of these five ideas of string theory ... 

Robert B. Mann,  "The Puzzle of Existence," PSCF 9-2009

Grappling with the problem of existence is one of the central tasks of theology, one that is both challenged and illuminated by scientific inquiry. The traditional form of the problem has been that of understanding why anything exists at all. While science and theology are harmoniously complementary in addressing certain aspects of this problem, a key point of tension between them has been in evaluating the role of Mind relative to matter. This is theology’s oldest challenge. I contend that theology’s newest challenge is that of understanding the particularity of existence: why it is that some things exist instead of everything. This new form of the problem of existence is motivated by findings from modern cosmology, which have been interpreted as suggesting that our universe is part of a multiverse in which all things exist. The key problem—for both science and theology—is in understanding how to distinguish what exists from what is possible.

Robert B. Mann, "Inconstant Multiverse," PSCF 57:4,  (December 2005) 302.  Explaining why there is something rather than nothing is one of theology's primary tasks. Recent scientific findings in cosmology have suggested a new theological task: explaining why there is something rather than everything. This task arises because of the conjunction of two intriguing properties of our universe: its strong biophilic selection effects and its apparent causal-connectedness on its largest scales. Current explanatory paradigms "respectively the anthropic principle and the inflationary universe" have suggested to many that our observable universe is a small part of a much larger structure called the multiverse. A multiverse presents us with a containment problem, since its logical extension suggests that anything that can exist, does exist. I argue such a perspective is incompatible with the foundations of both science and theology. As an antidote, I propose the altiverse: a set of possible alternatives that logically exist but are not physically realized.

J. Bryan Pitts,"Has Robert Gentry Refuted Big Bang Cosmology? On Energy Conservation and Cosmic Expansion," PSCF 12-04.

Robert Gentry has argued that Big Bang cosmology is unsatisfactory because photon
redshifting violates energy conservation and because cosmic expansion ought to occur on all distance scales and so not cause redshifting. By remembering to include the gravitational energy and discussing how to account for it, I show here that Big Bang cosmology satisfies energy conservation adequately. Recognizing the merely conventional nature of Gentry’s key distinction between expansion-based and Doppler-based redshifts reconciles the allegedly suspiciously conflicting explanations. A survey of the work matching Big Bang exterior solutions to local inhomogeneities gives plausible support for traditional claims that cosmic expansion has a negligible effect on small scales. Thus both of Gentry’s conclusions are unsupported by his arguments. I suggest that Big Bang cosmology is neither very harmful nor very helpful for Christian faith, but it is a serviceable physical theory.

Ben M.. Carter, "The Problem of Epistemology and Cosmic Models," PSCF 54.2:114-118 (6/2002). Cosmic models are themselves not accurate depictions of the universe but humanizations of it.

Rikki E. Watts, "Making Sense of Genesis 1" (2002). Used by Permission.

Schneider, Robert J. "Does the Bible Teach a Spherical Earth ?," PSCF 53 (September 2001): 159-169. A number of young-earth creationists purport to find in Isa. 40:22 and Job 26:7 evidence that the Bible teaches that the earth is spherical. A detailed analysis of key Hebrew words and their translations in ancient and modern versions shows that there is no substantive evidence and thus no warrant for this claim. This analysis is framed in the context of teaching a course in religion and science, and addresses the fundamental question, also explored in the course, of how one should interpret the Bible in the light of scientific knowledge.

Murphy, George L. "Chiasmic Cosmology and Creation's Functional Integrity," PSCF 53 (March 2001): 7. The belief that the character of God is most fully revealed in the cross of Christ is proposed here as the basis for Howard Van Till's concept of the functional integrity of creation. A theology of divine action in which the kenosis, or self-limitation, of God plays a central role is described and applied to our understanding of the world today and to the origins of the universe and life. The emphasis of this approach on the Incarnation then makes it possible to speak theologically about the design of a universe which displays functional integrity.

Cramer, John "Adler's Cosmological Argument for the Existence of God," PSCF 47 (March 1995): 32-42. Fifteen years have passed since the book, How to Think about God, by Mortimer J. Adler was published. It is a revised version of the traditional cosmological argument for the existence of God. Since then, many relevant developments in science have occurred and new philosophical critiques of cosmological arguments have appeared. In this article, I review the status of the concept of inertia, current theories of cosmology, and arguments by J.L. Mackie and Adolph Grunbaum that consider their implications for the plausibility of Adler's argument. I conclude that, on balance, these developments enhance its plausibility.

Two Views of the Star of Bethlehem: an enduring Christmas topic

• Colin Humphreys, "The Star of Bethlehem," Science and Christian Belief , Vol 5, (October 1995): 83-101 Evidence from the Bible and astronomy suggests that the Star of Bethlehem was a comet which was visible in 5 BC, and described in ancient Chinese records. A comet uniquely fits the description in Matthew of a star which newly appeared, which travelled slowly through the sky against the star background and which 'stood over' Bethlehem. The evidence points to Jesus being bom in the period 9 March-4 May, 5 BC, probably around Passover time: 13-27 April, 5 BC. Birth in the spring is consistent with the account in Luke that there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby keeping watch over their flock by night. Birth in 5 BC also throws light upon the problem of the census of Caesar Augustus. A new chronology of the life of Christ is given which is consistent with the available evidence. This chronology suggests that Christ died close to his 37th birthday.

• Stephen Milton, "Understanding the Christmas Star," The Turning Magazine Winter 2007, Vol. 2 #1. Each December, stars are placed on top of Christmas trees, in remembrance of the light that shone above Bethlehem. The star only appears in Matthewís gospel, suggesting that it was not a key part of the Christ story for the other Gospel writers. So why does the star get a mention at all?  The answer lies in seeing the stars as the ancients saw them, not as we do now. We need to forget about stars as fiery nuclear furnaces, and return to a view of the stars that prevailed before science was born. As we'll see, that star was a kind of coded signal, delivering a message that would have been clear 2000 years ago, but which we miss if we think of stars in scientific terms.

Scientific Scenario Of A Comet's Impact With Earth And The "Wormwood" Prophecy  --Messianic Literary Corner (2008)

Bergman, Jerry, "Arno A. Penzias: Astrophysicist, Nobel Laureate," PSCF 46.3:183-187 (9/1994) "If the Universe hadn't always existed, science would be confronted by the need for an explanation of its existence." Since scientists prefer to

Arno A. Penzias

operate in the belief that the universe must be meaningless -  i.e., reality consists of nothing more than the sum of the world's tangible constituents -  they cannot confront the idea of creation easily, or take it lightly. Well, I hope that we, as modern people, might be able to leave dogma aside and be willing to look at facts, at least the facts as we understand them today." (Penzias, 1983)

Mark G. McKim, "The Cosmos According to Carl Sagan: Review and Critique" PSCF 45.1:18-25 (3/1993) The writings and television appearances of Carl Sagan have done much to popularize the scientific enterprise and to fire the popular imagination. A careful examination, however, shows that Sagan is highly critical of religious frames of reference, especially the Christian one. This article sets forth Sagan's major criticisms and maintains that he is operating from a clear world view, which itself verges on being a religion. A critique of the major points of that world view and a response to the criticisms which Sagan levels towards Christianity are also provided.

Hedman, Bruce A., "Mathematics, Cosmology, and the Contingent Universe" PSCF 41.2:99-103 (6/1989.) To say that the universe is "contingent"

Kurt Godel 1906-1998    

means that it need not be the way it is. A contingent universe does not contain within itself a sufficient explanation of itself. Although the doctrine of contingence is an article of faith which transcends scientific demonstration, modern cosmology is making new discoveries and is asking new questions which point to the contingent character of the universe. Does the universe have a "beginning?" Is the extent of the universe finite? Does mathematical undecidability preclude any system from containing within itself a sufficient explanation of itself? Classical physics thought of the universe as closed, necessitarian, and inincontingent. Thus, certain questions basic to Christian thought were dismissed out-of-hand as invalid. An incongent universe precludes any revelation from the outside itself. Modern scientific models of the universe offer a more hospitable arena for the discussion of Christian theology.

Phillips, Perry G., "A History and Analysis of the 15.7 Light-Year Universe" PSCF 40.1:19-23 (3/1988.)  Objects in the universe are observed by virtue of the radiation they emit. On the basis of strongly supported theories dealing with the formation and propagation of radiation, astronomers have been able to determine distances from Earth to extremely remote segments of the universe.¹ If one assumes that the radiation received from a distant object was generated by the object itself, and that the radiation traversed the distance between the object and Earth at a constant velocity, then the universe is at least as old as the radiation's travel time. Since radiation from some objects has taken billions of years to arrive, the universe is at least billions of years old. A common young-earth retort to the above astronomical argument for an extremely old universe is to claim that objects were created with their radiation e-n route to Earth. That is, both the object and the radiation en route to Earth. That is, both the object and the radiation appearing to emanate from it were created simultaneously. ...

Van Till, Howard J., "The Legend of the Shrinking Sun - A Case Study Comparing Professional Science and "Creation Science" in Action," PSCF 38.3:164-174 (9/1986.) In recent years, advocates of the young earth hypothesis have assembled numerous lists of "scientific evidences" for their recent creation scenario. In this paper we critically evaluate the scientific adequacy of one such evidential claim of "creation-science," viz., that the sun's diameter has been shrinking in such a manner as to preclude the credibility of the standard multibillion-year chronology for terrestrial history. Within the professional scientific community, a preliminary report which suggested a long-term and rapid shrinkage of the sun presented a puzzle for solar astronomers. Consequently, additional studies were made and the credibility of the original data was re-evaluated. The result is that secular shrinkage has not been substantiated, but an 80-year oscillatory behavior was discovered. Within the "creation-science" community, however, the response to the original report has been remarkably different. The suggestion of rapid long-term shrinkage was uncritically accepted, the evidence and conclusions drawn from subsequent studies were generally dismissed, and extrapolations of the presumed rapid solar shrinkage have been performed without restraint. Isolated from the corrective of continuing professional investigation and evaluation, the "creation-science" community continues to employ this unwarranted extrapolation of a discredited report as a scientific evidence" for a young earth. The credibility of the Christian witness to a scientifically knowledgeable world is thereby clouded.

Books

John H. Walton, Genesis 1 as Ancient Cosmology [Hardcover] Publisher: Eisenbrauns (September 22, 2011)

John H. Walton, The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate [PB] IVP Academic (May 22, 2009

Deborah Haarsma and Jennifer Wiseman, "An Evolving Cosmos," Chapter 6 in Keith B. Miller, ed. Perspectives on an Evolving Creation, Eerdmans, 2003.

Brian Greene,, The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory  Paperback , Vintage Books,  2000

Stephen W. Hawking, A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes Paperback, Bantam Books, Incorporated, 1998.

Stephen W. Hawking, Roger Penrose , The Nature of Space and Time  Paperback , Princeton University Press,  2000.

Norris S. Hetherington, ed., Cosmology: Historical, Literary, Philosophical, Religious, and Scientific Perspectives  Paperback , Garland Publishing, Incorporated, 1996

Hugh Ross, The Fingerprint of God Paperback, Whitaker House, 2000

Mark J. Worthing, God Creation, and Contemporary Physics, Fortress, 1996.

Howard J. Van Till, The Fourth Day: What the Bible and the Heavens are Telling Us About the Creation, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1986. Remains a useful introduction to the field. 

Take a look for yourself!

Explore the Sky in Google Earth

Google Earth goes beyond its initial purpose and has a new feature that lets you explore the sky. The latest version (Google Earth 4.2) brings what could've been a separate program for rendering the sky, like Stellarium. After launching the application, click on the black rounded icon from the toolbar and switch to the sky mode. Google Earth shows the sky from the current location and becomes a virtual telescope for amateur stargazers. "This easy-to-use tool enables all Earth users to view and navigate through 100 million individual stars and 200 million galaxies. High resolution imagery and informative overlays create a unique playground for visualizing and learning about space," explains the press release. The layers include a lot of interesting information about stars, constellations, galaxies, images from the Hubble Space Telescope.

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Ned Wrighy's Tutorial on Cosmology, UCLA 2009

Recent News        

Vigorous Star Birth Without Galactic Collisions: Herschel Paints New Story of Galaxy Evolution

ESA's Herschel infrared space observatory has discovered that galaxies do not need to collide with each other to drive vigorous star birth. The finding overturns this long-held assumption and paints a more stately picture of how galaxies evolve.

01 Jun 2006 - This beautiful image shows the supernova remnant IC 443. The area in the box contains what looks like a tiny comet with a tail, but it's actually a neutron star, moving quickly through the nebula. Neutron stars have been seen moving away from supernova remnants before, but in this case, it's moving perpendicular. One possibility is that the former star was moving quickly through the galaxy before it exploded. The gas and dust in the nebula have slowed down and drifted away from the neutron star.
Universe Today

Christian Astronomers the website for chr-astro, an e-mail list for professional astronomers who are Christians.

History of Astronomy: ephemeris.com NASA/JPL  A very complete collection of biblical and other Jewish references to the heavens, dates of religious feasts, etc. and calendar design

A History Of Early Astronomy,  Neil Taylor, The early Greeks, Stonehenge to Galileo.

Today at NASA Includes recent missions, news and information, history and launch schedules. Read the latest press releases

Jet  Propulsion Laboratory  Center for robotic exploration of the solar system. Includes links to the many organizational programs governed by the JPL.

NASA Academy  Application, eligibility and financial assistance for NASA's summer institute of higher learning which identifies future space program leaders.

Astronomy for Kids   Things for kids and their parents to do on a clear evening.

The editor acknowledges the editorial assistance of George Murphy