The Big Bang theory is defined as the explosive event marking the beginning of the known universe. It states that all matter and all space were originally part of an infinitesimally small point called the Singularity. And the theory describes how the universe expanded from an initial state of high density and temperature.
Where did that singularity come from? The theory does not answer. But it is assumed to have come by a random quantum event! Let’s allow a quantum physicists to explain: “To the average person it might seem obvious that nothing can happen in nothing. But to a quantum physicist, nothing is, in fact, something.” Brad Lemley, “Guth’s Grand Guess,” Discover volume 23 (April 2002): 35.
“Quantum theory also holds that a vacuum, like atoms, is subject to quantum uncertainties. This means that things can materialize out of the vacuum, although they tend to vanish back into it quickly…this phenomenon has never been observed directly…” Ibid: 38. If we rephrase the above statement to simple English, it will read: “Things appear from nothing and then disappear back into nothing. And nobody has ever seen any of that take place!”
Further, the astronomer Heather Cowper in his children’s book called The Big Bang elaborates: “Our Universe probably came into existence not only from nothing, but from nowhere.” Heather Couper & Nigel Henbest, Big Bang (DK Publishing, 1997): 9.
There is another huge problem with the Big Bang Theory. After its initial expansion, the universe cooled to allow the formation of subatomic particles, and later atoms. The unequal amounts of matter and antimatter that made this possible is an unexplained effect known as baryon asymmetry. For only small amounts of antimatter actually exist in the universe. And there should be as much antimatter as matter—if the Big Bang was true.
Issac Asimov admits there is a dilemma: “Since matter and antimatter are equivalent in all respects but that of electromagnetic charge oppositeness, any force [the Big Bang] that would create one should have to create the other, and the universe should be made of equal quantities of each. This is a dilemma. Theory tells us there should be antimatter out there, and observation refuses to back it up.” Isaac Asimov, Asimov’s New Guide to Science: 343.
The truth is that there isn’t enough matter of any sort for the Big Bang proponent’s calculations. For this reason, the concept of dark matter has been given. Dark matter is matter that cannot be detected, but it must be there, otherwise their calculations do not work! There is also a similar problem with not enough energy in the Universe, so they have developed the idea of dark energy. So, it is assumed that dark matter and dark energy exist but oddly enough they can’t be detected.
Is the Big Bang theory a scientifically satisfactory theory? No. The creation story makes more sense. Minucius Felix (one of the earliest Latin apologists for Christianity) puts it this way:
“If upon entering some home you saw that everything there was well-tended, neat, and decorative, you would believe that some master was in charge of it, and that he himself was superior to those good things. So too in the home of this world, when you see providence, order, and law in the heavens and on earth, believe there is a Lord and Author of the universe, more beautiful than the stars themselves and the various parts of the whole world.”
In His service,
BibleAsk Team