HAVE the various features of the universe existed from the endless eons of eternity, or was there a commencement of the cosmos as to time, space, and substance? The initial emergence of the universe is one of the quandaries of cosmogonists.
Hannes Alfven observes that the enigma of cosmical genesis "is a matter for the philosopher to determine, for it falls outside the sphere of the scientist's purview" (Worlds-Antiworlds, p. 3). Its solution, apparently, lies beyond the observable and measurable, in the realm of hyperphysical laws and causes.
The Sacred Sources state: "The Heavens declare the glory of God, and the celestial bodies display His wisdom and power." W. R. Wake, The Psalms, on Ps. 19:1. There are many today who would exclude Deity not only from an earthly inn but are "intent upon excluding God from the exercise of sovereign will and power in the established order of the universe." The SDA Bible Commentary, Ellen G. White Comments, on Col. 2:8, p. 906. "The philosopher who ranges in thought through the universe, everywhere tracing the manifestations of God's power and delighting in their harmony, often fails to behold in these marvelous wonders the Hand that formed them all." --Gospel Workers, p. 18. For "ever since the creation [of the universe], God's invisible attributes I mean eternal power and divine character have been made visible, are brought within men's apprehension by what he has made and done. Therefore they have no excuse" (Rom. 1:20, Twentieth Century New Testament).
Causation of the Cosmos
Cosmologists seem disposed to construct a complete cosmos if only a primeval source of matter is present. The beginning of the cosmos is, of course, contingent on the existence of matter. Turning the cosmic clock back ward until it reaches the ultimate blank of beginning, the scientific process pauses till primeval matter is produced. At this point science is at a standstill until the secret of substance is solved.
What is the Biblical concept of cosmogony? The Bible reveals both the Originator and Organizer of matter. According to the divine pronouncement, the birth of the universe was a unique act of the great Architect who was its Creator (Eph. 3:9), Maker (Ps. 96:5), and Builder (Heb. 3:4). "It [the Bible] reveals to us the Creator of the heavens and the earth, with the universe that He has brought into being." --Counsels to Parents and Teachers, p. 421.
In the beginning of the cosmos. Deity is distinguished as the first great cause of its creation, the prime source of its substance and the eternal essence of its energy: "The same creative energy that brought the world into existence is still exerted in upholding the universe and continuing the operations of nature." Ibid., p. 185. Revelation indicates that the existence of everything every where is due to divine determination. Nothing in the universe preceded God, is independent of God, or exists apart from God. "All things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3). "There is not a star that beautifies the heavens which He did not make." --Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 288.
Creator of the Cosmos
While the divine Father was the "Author of the universe" (The Great Controversy, p. 270) "of whom are all things" (1 Cor. 8:6), the Son of God is designated the "Producer of all creation" (Col. 1:15, 16, Fenton) "by whom are all things" (1 Cor. 8:6). It was the Father "who created all things by Jesus Christ (Eph. 3:9). It was the Son the mediative executor "through whom God created the universe" (Heb. 1:2, T.E.V.).* According to the indication of Inspiration, the total unbounded material universe with all its diversity, uniformity, and immensity, appears to be the product of the purposeful plan of Providence and produced through the cosmic Christ "the creator of the universe in all its phases" (C. R. Eerdman, Epistle to the Hebrews, on Heb. 1:2).
Since energy is interchangeable with matter, the one could produce the other; but if one has neither, how can one get either? The concept of a created cosmos appears to be implicit in the Biblical text. In contrast to many popular theories about the formation of the universe, the sacred sources indicate the original matter of the cosmos was produced by the "creative energy" (Education, p. 126), or "miraculous power" (Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 328), of Providence. Deity apparently was not indebted to primeval substance, for the Pauline premise is that "the universe was fashioned by the word of God, so that the visible came forth from the invisible" (Heb. 1:3, N.E.B.).†
Cosmic Bang or Bidding
A cosmical event is postulated with the material of the universe instantly coming into being by divine decree: The universe was created by the command, call, breath, or word of the Lord (Ps. 33:6, 9). "The creative energy that called the worlds into existence is in the word of God." Education, p. 126. God "spake, and it was created; he commanded, and there it stood fast" (Ps. 33:9).
"Cannot He who spread above us this glorious canopy, who, if the sun, moon, and stars were swept away could call them again into existence in a moment?" --Our High Calling, p. 193.
Thus immediately out of the immaterial, sprang forth the material; out of the invisible emerged the visible. Cosmologists call it the Big Bang, whereas the Bible tells us it was the bidding of the Supreme Being.
Formation of the Cosmos
The creation of the cosmos, according to the record of Revelation, was instant, intense, and inclusive. Not that all components of the cosmos came into existence simultaneously; but that which originated was determined by the Originator who "spake and it was." Seven factors in its formation are furnished by the Scriptures: The universe was "created" (Eph. 3:9, N.E.B.), "planted [placed]" (Isa. 51:16), "prepared" (Prov. 8:27, Jerusalem), "expanded" (Job 9:8), "measured" (Isa. 40:12), "framed [set in order]" (Heb. 11:3), and "garnished" (Job 26:13). The Bible indicates the cosmos came into being by a supernatural process that established its various sections (Neh. 9:6), systems (Amos 9:6), and sequences (E. ). Kissang, The Book of Isaiah, on Isa. 40:26). Providence produced all the planets (Heb. 1:2) with their positions (Isa. 13:13), polarities (Ps. 89:12), and interrelations (Isa. 48:13). The strange force holding the universe together, defined by science as gravitation, is identified by Inspiration as the power of Providence (Heb. 1:3). If cosmical laws began with the creation of the cosmos, then the development of the universe was also predetermined at the same time. This may account for the universality, uniformity of matter, motion, and order throughout "the whole created universe" (Rom. 8:22, N.E.B.).
Of what finality is the universe? Apparently there is no other reason why the universe exists than that such was the will or desire of Deity. "For thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created" (Rev. 4:11).
At the present time earthlings have but a small glimpse of the glories of the "miracle and mystery of the universe" (Education, p. 99). In the life to come "all the treasures of the universe will be open to the study of God's children" (ibid., p. 307).
Eternity alone can reveal "the wonderful works of God, the evidences of His wisdom and power in creating and sustaining the universe" (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 602).
* From the Today's English Version of the New Testament. Copyright © American Bible Society 1966, 1971.
† Texts credited to N.E.B. are from The New English Bible. © The Delegates of the Oxford University Press and the Syndics of the Cambridge University Press 1970. Reprinted by permission.
