Solar and
galactic systems are held together by the gravitational force of the mass (matter)
and energy they contain. The matter primarily comprises hydrogen and helium,
while the energy consists mainly of electromagnetic radiation in many forms.22
Missing mass?
The Big Bang
Theory of the birth of the universe assumes the presence of enough mass in the rapidly
expanding universe for matter to come together and form stars and galaxies. However,
estimates of the universe’s actual mass consistently fall far short of the
minimum amount necessary to hold the stars and galaxies together.
“In 1933
the late Fritz Zwicky pointed out that the galaxies of the Coma cluster are
moving too fast: there is not enough visible mass in the galaxies to bind the
cluster together by gravity. Subsequent observations verified this ‘missing’
mass in other clusters.”23
Considering
the observed velocities and apparent masses of the galaxies in the clusters,
they should have broken up a long, long time ago. Something unseen is keeping
them together. On a smaller scale, in the 1970s spiral galaxies were found spinning
just as fast at the outer edges as they do at the center. It is a mystery how they
have been doing this for countless eons without flying apart.
“Dark matter.”
Author
Walt Brown writes that “in almost every case the velocities of the individual
galaxies are high enough to allow them to escape from the cluster. In effect,
the clusters are ‘boiling.’ This statement is certainly true if we assume that
the only gravitational force present is that exerted by visible matter, but it
is true even if we assume that every galaxy in the cluster, like the Milky Way,
is surrounded by a halo of dark matter that contains 90 percent of the mass of
the galaxy.”24
The missing
mass, which does not emit, reflect, or absorb light or any kind of radiation,
is called “dark matter,” because no one can see or even detect it. Paul spoke
about this to the Hebrews: “By faith we
understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen
was not made out of what was visible” (Heb 11:3, NIV). The visible universe
has been created from invisible things.
The World Book points out that the combined mass
of all the stars, planets, and cosmic dust and gases accounts for only about 4%
of the energy needed to hold the universe together. Of the remaining 96% that
astronomers cannot detect, dark matter accounts for approximately 23%.25
Would the scientists have believed Paul if he had spoken to them? “He is before all things, and in him all
things hold together” (Col 1:17 -18, NIV).
“Dark energy.”
Big Bang
theorists assume that the expansion of the universe should be slowing, in the
same way that a ball thrown upward into the air must slow as it moves away from
the earth’s gravity. Cosmologists have taken measurements of this cosmic deceleration
for decades. Their findings, rechecked many times, always show the same
perplexing result: The universe’s expansion is not decelerating, but is instead
accelerating!26,27
To
preserve the viability of the Big Bang theory, an explanation had to be found.
There must be an unknown energy actively counteracting gravity and causing stars
and galaxies to accelerate away from each other. That unknown, undetectable energy
must be, what else -- dark energy. It is said to represent the last 73% missing
in the equation.28
The
Spirit of God?
God,
2,600 years ago, said through the prophet Jeremiah: “Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith
the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD” (Jer 23:24 ). God said He fills the entire
universe. But is not the Ein Sof or
“Infinite Nothingness” outside the universe?
“God is a spirit” (John 4:24 ), and as many of us know “the Spirit of God moved upon the face of
the waters” (Gen 1:2b) in the emerging universe. It appears that, although
the Ein Sof remains outside of
creation, His Spirit, which is energy, entered the physical world.
Paradoxically, God is both apart from and a part of the universe!
Are the
unseen and undetectable “dark matter” and “dark energy,” as well as all
observable matter and energy in the cosmos, God? Paul hints at the answer. “While we look not at the things which are
seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are
temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor 4:18 ). The unseen, eternal God is
immanent in the universe.
______________________
22.Cosmos, Encyclopaedia Britannica 2009 Student
and Home Edition
23.M. Mitchell
Waldrop, “The Large-Scale Structure of the Universe,” Science, Vol. 219, 4 March 1983, p. 1050
24.Trefil,
p. 93; cited by Walt Brown, Astrophysical Sciences, creationscience.com
25.Universe, World Book 2005 (Deluxe)
26.Trefil, loc. cit.
27.Waldrop, loc.
cit.
28.Universe, op.
cit.
(Excerpted from Chapter 1, Mysteries
of Our Maker, THE DEEP THINGS OF GOD: A Primer on the Secrets of Heaven
and Earth by M.M. Tauson, Amazon.com)
