Where did we come from?
The general view of clever people is that it all began with a BIG BANG.
What do you mean when you say that there was NOTHING, originally?
Now this is hard! Before the "big bang" there was nothing - no space - no time, no "stuff" - repeat NOTHING. Space, time and all the "stuff" in the whole universe began with the "big bang".There is a posh word for this start point. It's called the SINGULARITY.
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Wondrous Words from Wikipedia
According to the Big Bang theory, the Universe was once in an extremely hot and dense state which expanded rapidly. This rapid expansion caused the Universe to cool and resulted in its present continuously expanding state. After its initial expansion from a singularity, the Universe cooled sufficiently to allow energy to be converted into various subatomic particles, including protons, neutrons, and electrons.
So now you know!
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Actually "big bang" is not the best way to describe it. Don't think "explosion"; think more like blowing up a balloon!
Better than "big bang" perhaps we should say "big inflation" but it doesn't sound as good.
So who came up with 'big bang' - if it was wrong?
Professor Fred Hoyle who died in 1991. He suggested the "steady state" theory which said that little bits of stuff were appearing (being created) all the time - so the universe would always be much the same. He meant "big bang" to be a bit insulting to the 'opposition' theory which said that there was a definite beginning; when everything started. Sadly (for him) he was WRONG and the others were RIGHT - but the name stuck!
So how do we know all this?
This man ...
This man ...
... saw that the "stuff" in our universe was rushing apart at very great speed. And if it is rushing apart, there may well have been a time when it was all together in one humungous great big lump!
Haven't I heard of him?
Yes. A massive space telescope was named after him.
But it was what he saw through is telescope that was so dramatic.
Where did the big lump come from?
Well it's a bit more complicated than that.
Anyway, the Bible says God made the earth and stuff, but these people say it was just a big bang.
Big inflation.
Well I don't get it.
Stick with it, enquiring teenager person; we'll get to the Bible eventually and see how it all works out.
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In order to grapple with the complex questions in the "Bible versus Science" debate, we are presenting infromation in the form of a conversation between an enquiring and intelligent teenager (yes, they do exist) and a reasonably knowledgeable adult; an uncle, a teacher or a Church minister. The teenager's words are shown in BLUE, the adult's in normal font. Quotations from the Bible are shown in RED as below.
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Who are you to question my wisdom with your ignorant, empty words? Now stand up straight and answer the questions I ask you. Were you there when I made the world? If you know so much, tell me about it. Who decided how large it would be? Who stretched the measuring line over it? Do you know all the answers?
These words come from a powerful and poetic debate, the Bible Book of Job. In this particular passage, the writer presents God as challenging the arrogance of human knowledge. Job Chapter 38 verses 2 to 5.
Next Bible Blog : Thursday 6th September
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