top of page

The Cosmological Conundrum: Thermodynamics, Astrophysics, and Theological Reflections on the Origin of the Universe

Writer's picture: Wesley JacobWesley Jacob

The quest to understand the origins of the universe has inspired centuries of inquiry, uniting cosmology, thermodynamics, and theological reflections. Modern astrophysical discoveries have rekindled ancient questions: How did the universe begin? What forces govern its expansion? And can these insights coexist with theological doctrines of creation? Astrophysicists such as Steven Weinberg, Edwin Hubble, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, and Vera Rubin have advanced our understanding of cosmology, yet fundamental physical laws—including Newton’s law of universal gravitation, Maxwell’s equations, and the Second Law of Thermodynamics—still frame these inquiries. This essay examines the interplay between contemporary astrophysical discoveries and theological thought, exploring how both disciplines contribute to the ongoing dialogue about the universe’s origin.


The Universe as a Thermodynamic System: Cosmology and Entropy

The Second Law of Thermodynamics, which asserts that entropy, or disorder, in a closed system will always increase, is often invoked in cosmological debates. It suggests that the universe, understood as an isolated system, must experience an irreversible progression toward thermodynamic equilibrium, or heat death. However, there remains debate among scholars whether the universe is indeed a closed system. As Cengel and Boles noted in their foundational work, Fundamentals of Classical Thermodynamics, “[W]e do not know if the universe can be considered as an isolated system.”[1] This uncertainty poses profound implications for cosmology.

If the universe is closed, it is subject to the inevitable increase in entropy, implying a temporal beginning—an argument often embraced by theologians to affirm creation ex nihilo. On the other hand, if the universe is open or non-isolated, entropy may not apply universally, and its implications for an infinite cosmos would require revision. Nevertheless, astrophysical evidence—including the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation and Hubble’s Law—supports a universe expanding from a finite beginning point, typically understood as the Big Bang.

Hubble’s Law and the Expansion of the Universe

Hubble’s Law, derived from the observation of the redshift in distant galaxies, suggests that the universe is expanding, with galaxies receding from one another at velocities proportional to their distances. This discovery fundamentally shifted the scientific consensus from a static to an expanding universe model. Edwin Hubble’s work in the 1920s confirmed earlier suspicions, showing that distant galaxies are moving away from the Milky Way, thus supporting the hypothesis that the universe had a definite beginning.[2]

The implications of Hubble’s Law extend beyond cosmological theory. It provides a framework for calculating the rate of expansion, famously encapsulated in the Hubble constant, , a value recently revised by the James Webb Space Telescope. The discovery of this expansion is consistent with the biblical narrative of a created universe. For instance, St. Augustine of Hippo’s Confessions proposes that time itself is a created entity, much in line with modern astrophysical models that posit time and space beginning simultaneously at the Big Bang.[3]

Thermodynamics, Quantum Mechanics, and the Multiverse Hypothesis

Some cosmologists, such as Stephen Hawking, have proposed alternative explanations to the theological assertion of a created universe. In his The Grand Design, Hawking suggests that quantum fluctuations in a vacuum could give rise to a universe without the need for a divine creator.[4] This theory posits that the laws of physics, particularly quantum mechanics, are sufficient to explain the origin of the cosmos. However, critics argue that such theories do not adequately account for the cause of these laws themselves.

Moreover, the Multiverse hypothesis, which posits that our universe is one of many, attempts to circumvent theological explanations of creation by suggesting that a vast ensemble of universes exists, each governed by different physical laws. Yet this hypothesis lacks empirical verification and runs contrary to Occam’s Razor, a philosophical principle used to eliminate unnecessary assumptions. As Gregory Benford notes, “The multiverse view represents the failure of our grand agenda and seems contrary to the prescribed simplicity of Occam’s Razor.”[5]


The James Webb Space Telescope: Cutting-Edge Discoveries and Their Implications

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has recently offered unprecedented insight into the formation of stars, galaxies, and planetary systems, reinforcing and refining existing cosmological models. Through infrared imaging, JWST has captured the most detailed images of early galaxies to date, helping to fill gaps in the timeline of the universe’s formation.[6] These discoveries have brought cosmologists closer to understanding the fine-tuning of the universe, a topic that also intersects with theological discourse.


Astrophysical Discoveries and Theological Reflections on Creation

Theological interpretations of the cosmos have evolved alongside scientific discovery, yet the two disciplines continue to engage one another. In Christian theology, the fine-tuning of the universe—its precise conditions for life—suggests a creator who designed the cosmos with purpose. William Lane Craig, for instance, has advanced the fine-tuned universe argument as evidence for God’s existence, citing astrophysical constants that, if altered slightly, would prevent the emergence of life.[7]

Patristic theologians such as Augustine of Hippo and Justin Martyr explored the nature of creation long before modern cosmology offered empirical evidence of the universe’s beginnings. Augustine’s notion of creatio continua (continuous creation) resonates with current understandings of the universe’s ongoing evolution, while Justin Martyr’s apologetics emphasize the compatibility of faith and reason, a dialogue that remains relevant in discussions of cosmology and theology.[8] Augustine’s belief that creation is inherently good also reflects modern cosmological theories that posit a finely-tuned universe.[9]


The Laws of Physics: Newton, Maxwell, and the Structure of the Universe

Newton’s law of universal gravitation, which explains how masses attract one another with a force proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them, remains foundational in understanding cosmic structures.[10] Maxwell’s equations, which describe how electric and magnetic fields interact, underpin much of modern astrophysical theory, especially in high-energy astrophysics and radio astronomy.[11] These laws not only shape our understanding of the physical universe but also prompt deeper metaphysical questions about the nature of existence.


Conclusion: Reconciling Science and Theology in the Modern Cosmos

Astrophysics and theology, while distinct in their methodologies, both seek to understand the universe’s origins. Contemporary cosmological discoveries—whether they involve the expansion of the universe, quantum mechanics, or the multiverse—do not negate the theological assertion of a Creator but rather complement it by revealing the depth and complexity of the cosmos. As scientific knowledge advances, theologians and scientists alike are called to reflect more deeply on the relationship between the physical laws governing the universe and the possibility of divine action within it.


Footnotes

1. Yunus A. Çengel and Michael A. Boles, Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach, 5th ed. (Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2002), 9.

2. Edwin Hubble, The Realm of the Nebulae (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1936), 40.

3. Augustine of Hippo, Confessions, trans. Henry Chadwick (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991), 240.

4. Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow, The Grand Design (New York: Bantam Books, 2010), 180.

5. Gregory Benford, “Multiverse Musings,” Astrophysics and Space Science 1, no. 2 (2006): 226.

6. NASA, “James Webb Space Telescope,” NASA Science Mission Directorate, accessed October 22, 2024, https://jwst.nasa.gov.

7. William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics, 3rd ed. (Wheaton: Crossway, 2008), 104.

8. Justin Martyr, First Apology, trans. Thomas B. Falls (Washington D.C.: Catholic University of America Press, 1948), 30.

9. Augustine of Hippo, City of God, trans. R. W. Dyson (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998), 180.

10. Isaac Newton, Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica (London: Royal Society, 1687), 142.

11. James Clerk Maxwell, A Dynamical Theory of the Electromagnetic Field (London: Royal Society, 1865), 175.

 

Bibliography

 •   Augustine of Hippo. City of God. Translated by R. W. Dyson. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998.

   •   Augustine of Hippo. Confessions. Translated by Henry Chadwick. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991.

   •   Benford, Gregory. “Multiverse Musings.” Astrophysics and Space Science 1, no. 2 (2006): 223-229.

   •   Çengel, Yunus A., and Michael A. Boles. Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach. 5th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2002.

   •   Craig, William Lane. Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics. 3rd ed. Wheaton: Crossway, 2008.

   •   Hawking, Stephen, and Leonard Mlodinow. The Grand Design. New York: Bantam Books, 2010.

   •   Hubble, Edwin. The Realm of the Nebulae. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1936.

   •   Justin Martyr. First Apology. Translated by Thomas B. Falls. Washington D.C.: Catholic University of America Press, 1948.

   •   Maxwell, James Clerk. A Dynamical Theory of the Electromagnetic Field. London: Royal Society, 1865.

      •   NASA. “James Webb Space Telescope.” NASA Science Mission Directorate. Accessed October 22, 2024. https://jwst.nasa.gov.

   •   Newton, Isaac. Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica. London: Royal Society, 1687.

   •   Hossenfelder, Sabine. Lost in Math: How Beauty Leads Physics Astray. New York: Basic Books, 2018.

   •   Krauss, Lawrence. A Universe from Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather than Nothing. New York: Free Press, 2012.

   •   Penrose, Roger. The Road to Reality: A Complete Guide to the Laws of the Universe. London: Jonathan Cape, 2004.

   •   Susskind, Leonard. The Cosmic Landscape: String Theory and the Illusion of Intelligent Design. New York: Little, Brown, 2005.

   •   Tipler, Frank J. The Physics of Immortality: Modern Cosmology, God, and the Resurrection of the Dead. New York: Doubleday, 1994.

   •   Weinberg, Steven. The First Three Minutes: A Modern View of the Origin of the Universe. 2nd ed. New York: Basic Books, 1993.

   •   Wheeler, John Archibald. Geons, Black Holes, and Quantum Foam: A Life in Physics. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1998.

   •   Whitehead, Alfred North. Science and the Modern World. New York: Free Press, 1967.

   •   Wilson, Robert R. An Introduction to Particle Physics. New York: Academic Press, 1973.

 

this site attempts to counter the
silencing of the scientific voice and
the stumping of the philosophical mind

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • generic-social-link
bottom of page