by Steve Wallace
Synopsis: On that final day, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord, and each will be called to account for their words and works. Accordingly, Steve urges us to show genuine wisdom by using the time we are granted to prepare to meet God.
Stephen Hawking, renowned physicist, died at age 76 in Cambridge, England, Wednesday, March 14, 2018. Hawking was born with motor neuron disease, which progressively deteriorates the body. It was predicted that he would die before age 25. He was a prolific writer, often interviewed by the news media. Quotes from his written and spoken words were widely disseminated. He was an atheist.
1. Although Hawking rejected God and the creation account found in Genesis 1, he believed that the universe and life have meaning. "Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist." 1 Creation has been called a "wordless book" that everyone can read. What does it teach us?
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard (Ps. 19:1-3).
Mr. Hawking saw things in the universe which should have led him to God rather than away from Him. He believed in the law of gravity,2 but did not see in it reason to believe in the existence of a Law-giver. He believed in "the grand design of the universe."3 However, he did not see in it evidence of a Designer. God expects men to draw conclusions from His creation. "For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse" (Rom. 1:20, ASV). The universe and life have meaning.
2. Mr. Hawking had faith in non-living matter. "Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist."4 The preexistence of lifeless matter is implied in his words. However, Mr. Hawking does not inform us of its origin(s). He believed it was drawn together by the law of gravity and simply became everything we see around us on earth and in the heavens above—and part of it became human beings. He believed that such things as conscience, memory, and other functions of the mind came from lifeless matter. It is much more reasonable to believe that a mind, capable of all we see in creation and in our minds, is behind its existence (Gen. 1:1). It will do each person well to ponder the likely origin of the living and non-living things that surround us.
3. He was arrogant in his opinions. "Before we understand science, it is natural to believe that God created the universe. But now science offers a more convincing explanation."5 In writing this, Hawking ignored the many scientists who believe in God. They, by implication, are all wrong. "Science," as he defined it, is the science of those who believe as he did. Furthermore, he admitted that, if it were not for his brand of science, "it is natural to believe that God created the universe." Hence, we are left with his admissions and the question, Which is more reasonable to believe?
In addition to the evidence advanced up to this point in this article, we add a major problem with the general theory of evolution, which Mr. Hawking believed.
In The Origin of Species Charles Darwin wrote, "If numerous species, belonging to the same genera or families, have really started into life at once, the fact would be fatal to the theory of evolution through natural selection."6 After much digging and investigation, this is precisely the problem with the fossil record.7 One of its outstanding characteristics is the absence of evidence for evolution, the consistent absence of fundamental directional change. This is the norm and not the exception.8
Further, the societal changes in western society—increased immorality, selfishness, violence, etc.—that Hawking's "more convincing explanation" has fostered are consistent with those who forsake the God of the Bible (Rom. 1:28-32). Mr. Hawking would have been better off taking a more humble approach to things (Prov. 29:23; Jas. 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5). After all, even the most learned know less than a smidgen of all that can be known.
4. In as much as Stephen Hawking was an atheist, we close with some comments on atheism. The psalmist wrote, "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God'" (14:1). Atheists may claim that there is no God, but they can never prove their assertion. Hence, they are rightly foolish in their beliefs. Further, as we have noticed in the title of this article, Mr. Hawking is now a former atheist. He has completely changed his beliefs. He has learned that,
May we always remember that our unbelieving blind fellow travelers in this life, no matter how well educated in worldly things or how oft-quoted they may be, have never been beyond the pale of death – and their lives take up such a tiny space in history. And, no matter how gifted they may be, they likely learn far less than 1% of what can be known. God's creation is designed to cause us to have an appreciation of His majesty and power (Ps. 19:1-3). His word is designed to inform us, save us from sin, and guide us through this life to eternal glory in heaven (Rom. 1:16; Ps. 119:5; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). May we all continually put our trust in Him.
1 Joseph, Yonette. "Stephen Hawking, in His Own Words." The New York Times. March 14, 2018. Accessed March, 19, 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/14/world/europe/stephen-hawking-quotes.html. [Cited by a number of authors].
2 Holden, Michael. "God Did Not Create the Universe, Says Hawking." Reuters. September 02, 2010. Accessed March 21, 2018. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-hawking/god-did-not-create-the-universe-says-hawking-idUSTRE6811FN20100902. [From The Grand Design, by Stephen Hawking, Leonard Mlodinow, Bantam Books, New York, 2010].
3 Penrose, Roger. "'Mind over Matter': Stephen Hawking – Obituary by Roger Penrose." The Guardian. March 14, 2018. Accessed March 19, 2018. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/mar/14/stephen-hawking-obituary. [From Motivating Thoughts of Stephen Hawking, by Raghav, Prabhat Books, India, 2008].
4 Holden, Ibid.
5 Johnston, Lori. "'I'm Not Afraid': What Stephen Hawking Said about God, His Atheism and His Own Death." The Washington Post. March 14, 2018. Accessed March 21, 2018. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2018/03/14/im-not-afraid-what-stephen-hawking-said-about-god-his-atheism-and-his-own-death/?utm_term=.8f16eb1e7980. [Often quoted, SW].
6 Darwin, Charles. The Origin of Species. P. F. Collier & Son, 1909, page 355.
7 Fossil record definition: A term used by paleontologists to refer to the total number of fossils that have been discovered, as well as to the information derived from them. ["Fossil Record." Dictionary.com. Accessed March 30, 2018. http://www.dictionary.com/browse/fossil-record.].
8 Johnson, Phillip E. Darwin on Trial. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 1993, page 50-51.
Author Bio: Steve Wallace has worked with the church in Round Lake Beach, IL for 2 years. He and his wife, Mary, have been married 31 years. He can be reached at alvincarl1@att.net.
