Dark Energy & the Hand of God
By John Boda
As I read physics and astronomy books, first and foremost, I am always amazed at God's handiwork! The amazing complexity and mathematical preciseness of it all, seems overwhelming, and these are also the same words used by the authors of such books who are trained in the sciences.
Another aspect that interests me is the mysterious aspect that seems to exist everywhere science looks, weather through a microscope or a telescope. How things work in our universe is far from understood!
One of those great mysteries, spoken about in nearly every book on astronomy or physics, is the subject of so called "Dark matter and dark energy" that seems to exist, and exert a controlling force by its gravity, over the entire universe! In fact, it is estimated that most, about 96%, of the universe is actually made up of this mysterious force!
Yes, all the billions and billions of stars that each makes up billions and billions of galaxies, all amount to a very small part of the cosmos! Most of it is invisible! Yet, most scientists are convinced that it exists, simply by the tell tale signs of its effect - gravity and an important controlling force of keeping all the galaxies from accelerating too fast, or of collapsing in on themselves!
I will probe a little deeper into dark matter and energy, along with some revealing quotes from trained scientists, along with some possible explanations from the theological viewpoint, but I want to set forth my agenda.
1. To help people know and appreciate God's awesome power and incredible universe, in order to increase our faith and trust in him for all our needs.
2. To humbly suggest one possible explanation for the mysterious and unknown characteristics of dark matter and dark energy, which most scientists believe makes up nearly 96% of the entire universe!
The Problem of Dark Matter and Energy
Since I am not a scientist, in any way shape or form, I will begin this section with a few quotes from those who are:
"...the universe responds to two competing forces: Gravity wants to make stuff coagulate, but expansion wants to dilute it. If you do the math, you rapidly deduce that the gravity from ordinary matter could not win this battle by itself. It needed the help of dark matter, without which we would be living - actually not living - in a universe with no structure, no clusters, no galaxies, no stars, no planets and no people."
"Dark Matter is our friend".
"We're not inventing dark matter out of thin space, instead we deduce its existence from observational facts. "
"Could dark matter be the manifestation of forces from another dimension? Or a parallel universe intersecting ours?"
Neil DeGrasse Tyson Origins
(Astronomer)
" ...like an audience that infers the presence of a dark-robed mime even though it sees only his white-gloved hands flitting to and fro on the unlit stage, astronomers concluded that the universe must be suffused with dark matter - matter that does not clump together in stars and hence does not give off light, and that thus exerts a gravitational pull without revealing itself visibly. The universe's luminous constituents - stars - were revealed as but floating beacons in a giant ocean of dark matter."
"But if dark matter must exist in order to produce the observed motions of stars and galaxies, what's it made of? So far, no one knows. The identity of the dark matter remains a major looming mystery."
Brian Greene The Fabric of the Cosmos
(Physicist)
"....only 4% of the cosmos consists of conventional baryonic matter, such as protons and neutrons. About 23% lies in the form of so-called dark matter. This is low-temperature, non-baryonic material that interacts by means of gravity, not light (or at least not very easily by light). The remaining 73% is something called dark energy - a kind of antigravity that causes the universe to accelerate outward. One of the greatest mysteries of modern cosmology is the nature of these hidden substances."
Paul Halpern The Great Beyond
(Physicist)
These are only a few quotes from a few books on the subject. Nearly every book about astronomy, physics, or cosmology either mentions dark matter and energy, or give it large coverage. Also consistent with them all, is an agreement on ignorance of what it is, and where it comes from! It remains a big mystery, and anyone who can come up with a scientifically tested answer will be both rich and famous!
Of course, the key is "scientifically tested". Many brilliant people in all branches of science have come up with various ideas on providing an answer to the mystery of dark matter and energy, but, at this point, all they are end up being is just untested theories. Some of these are actually very good, and may end up some day as being proven to be fact, but until then, the mystery looms.
It is rather humorous.....just stop and think about it: All the vast billions and billions of stars within all the billions and billions of galaxies, including all the planets and moons within our solar system (and now being discovered all over), plus all the huge asteroids and comets which probably amount to trillions in the cosmos....all these....are only little white specks of foam within a much larger ocean of dark matter and energy which we know nothing about! If it wasn't realistic science, it sounds more like a sequel to "The Matrix" movie, or a great theme for an entire book on The Far Side" comic series, or an entire evening's worth of material for comic -Steven Wright!
Whoever said, "Truth is stranger than fiction" was maybe thinking of dark matter at the time!
OK, so what am I doing getting involved with this topic?
Well, I want to come right out and say that I have nothing to offer or add in the realm of science! I am not qualified to do so, and there are many others who are doing a good job of that already. But, having a little understanding in the realm of theology, and being an inquisitive pilgrim, I believe that I, (and others like-minded), not only can, but should offer insight and comments on all discoveries in the sciences. After all, if God created everything, he is the greatest scientist of them all!
But this writing is not just about seeing God's handy-work and fingerprints in his creation. This is a lot more! I believe that God is still at work, not only with his people here on earth, but in guiding and leading the entire cosmos even to the farthest star and galaxy!
Please keep an open mind and continue with me as I shift now to the theological. I am very aware of the danger of "proof-texting'", which is having an agenda, and searching for verses to prove it.
I have not done this! I have searched for many scriptures, but I have honestly tried to allow them to lead me, if a verse showed something that contradicted my idea, then my idea was dumped, permanently. My conclusions derived from scripture have blessed me beyond measure, and I hope they do the same for you. I would love to hear any further ideas, pro or con, to the following thesis, please read on!
The Hand of God
I would like to present four, Biblically sound insights into the hand of God, and how it relates to possibly answering some questions about dark matter and energy.
1. God's hand represents power and control!
In addition to power and control, you can add providence, sovereignty and salvation and link it directly to God's hand as seen in scripture. The hand of God, even more specific, the right hand of God, controls, effects change, creates, and moves people, things and events! It represents complete and absolute power!
You may have heard the saying;
“Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely". But think about that statement for a moment, yes, often times power does corrupt people in this life on earth, there is no question on that part. But does absolute power really corrupt absolutely? Who or what has absolute power on earth? No one and nothing! Absolute power belongs only to God, and he is not corrupt! So absolute power never corrupts anyone, anything and at anytime, and that is the absolute truth!
Now for the detail minded, I have done my homework for this writing. Listed next is most of the verse locations which speak of God's hand, and his right hand. If you look them up, you will find the common linking theme of power, control, and sovereignty.
Ps. 18:35 Ps. 20:6 Ps 32:4 Ps 37:24 Ps. 60:5 Ps. 63:8 Ps. 77:10 Ps. 91:7 Ps. 98:1 Ps. 108:6 Ps.109:27 Ps. 110:1 Ps. 118:15-16 Ps. 136:12 Ps. 138:7 Ps. 144:7 Jer. 18:6 Dan 4:35 Is. 41:10
Ez. 1:3 Ez 3:14 Ez 3:22 Ez 8:1 Ez 33:22 Ez 37:1 Ez 40:1 Luke 1:66 Acts 11:21 I Peter 5:6 Dan 5:23 Hab 3:4 John 10:28-29 Matt 22:44 Matt 26:64 Mark 16:19 Acts 2:25 Acts 2:33-34
Acts 5:31 Acts 7:55-56 Rom 8:34 Eph 1:20 Col 3:1 Heb 1:13 Heb 8:1 Heb 10:12 Heb 12:2 I Peter 3:22 I Kings 8:15 I Kings 8:24 Ex 13:14 Ex 13:15 Ex 15;12 Ex 32:11 Duet 2:15 Is 31:3
Is 41:20 Acts 4:30 II Chron 6:15 Ezra 7:6-9 Ezra 7:28 Duet 3:24 Duet 4:34 Duet 5:15
Duet 6:21 Duet 7:8 Duet 7:19 Duet 9:26 Duet 11:12
OK, did you look all those up? (I did) I'm glad you're back, or at least, have scrolled down to here!
I have left some verse locations out in order to type them out. Some of them require a closer look as they pertain to this study:
“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breath of his hand marked off the heavens?" Isaiah 40:12
The Hebrew word for "marked" is "Takan" - which means to weigh or set in order.
"My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens, when I summon them, they all stand together."
Isaiah 48:13
One of many verses that I will focus on later showing God "stretching" the cosmos, which is exactly what is happening now. Interesting that God can cause the heavens to "stand together" by his will. This is what gravity does, it is an attractive force.
“In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. Psalms 102:25
This clearly states that God created the cosmos by his hands.
There are many more, but I must move on to my next point, (I do have one). I encourage you to take some time to look up some of the verses listed earlier.
2. God's hand maintains and controls everything, and stretches out the cosmos.
If you read any book on astronomy or cosmology, they all speak of what is now considered a scientific fact - the entire universe is being stretched out!
The very fabric of our space-time cosmos is being stretched, and is currently accelerating! This all began first with the big bang, (Which was neither big, nor was really a bang, but rather a controlled expansion of space-time). The common analogy is picturing the universe as a balloon, with all the galaxies like little pennies taped to it. As the balloon becomes more inflated, it stretches, and each penny moves away from the other one. Which is exactly what is happening in our galaxy and all the others right now?
I have shown how it is God's hand that created, and upholds the universe. I believe it is also God, and his hand, that is stretching it out, and guiding it this very moment! Here are the scriptures that reveal this beyond any doubt, and since they are few in number, I will type each one out:
“He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy; he spreads them out like a tent to live in".
Isaiah 40:22
“This is what God the Lord says - he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people and life to those who walk on it." Isaiah 42:5
“I am the Lord who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself."
Isaiah 44:24
“It is I who made the earth and created mankind upon it. My own hands stretched out the heavens, I marshaled their starry hosts." Isaiah 45:12
“My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens, when I summon them, they all stand together."
Isaiah 48:13
“But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. Jeremiah 10;12
“He made the earth by his power, he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. " Jeremiah 51:15
“He wraps himself in light as with a garment, he stretches out the heavens like a tent."
Psalms 104:2
“He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing." Job 26:7
“This is the word of the Lord concerning Israel. The Lord, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the spirit of man within him, declares..."
Zechariah 12:1
These are amazing verses! Also notice that it is not all one prophet at one time speaking, but five different ones over a large time period. They are in agreement that God stretched out the cosmos, and continues to stretch it out today! This is precisely what is confirmed by science more and more now, that our space-time cosmos is being stretched, with us along with it, every second of every day.
But what is not in agreement, yet, is just how long this stretching will continue. Some think it will go on forever, just keep stretching until all that is left is a huge blackness because all the stars have either burned out, or are too far away to even see anymore. Others think that at some point "critical mass" will occur in which gravity will overcome the runaway effect of the big stretch, and basically then crush everything together smaller and smaller into a kind of reverse big bang, what some call "The big crunch". But this critical mass is impossible to measure because most of the mass in the universe consists of this dark mater and energy! Ok, now we have come full circle back to the subject at hand! So according the Bible, it clearly is God who created the cosmos, and it clearly is God who controls it by stretching it out. Is it a leap of imagination to suggest that it might also be God who creates and controls the counter-acting gravitational force of dark matter and energy?
3. God can be hidden in darkness!
I know that this sounds unusual, but God can actually be cloaked within darkness, even though he dwells in light! We must enlarge our thinking beyond earthly concepts of light and darkness. In the spiritual realm, which can and does intertwine with the natural, things can be very different. Consider these scriptures:
“He made darkness his canopy around him, and dark rain clouds of the sky."
II Samuel 22:12
This is a lyric from one of David's songs in praise and thanks to the Lord for his help to deliver David from his enemies. A few verses earlier, he also says, "...dark clouds were under his feet". This same song, with the same lyrics is again repeated in Psalms 18.
“Clouds and thick darkness surround him, righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne."
Psalms 97:2
What can these verses mean besides the obvious? Simply stated, God can be hidden at times within darkness! In other words, God is there, moving and working, but we cannot see him. We can see his effects, but not him personally. This very much reminds me of what Jesus stated in John 3:8, in speaking of the Holy Spirit;
“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going, so it is with everyone born of the Spirit.
"
The Spirit is hidden from view, but we know he is there because we can see his effects, just like of the leaves blowing and the trees moving by the wind. The wind is not the movement of the leaves and trees, which is only the effect of the wind; the wind is working, hidden behind the scenes.
4. God - and God's Hand Can Emit Shadows!
I have already established that God can sometimes hide himself in darkness, and that his hand represents control and absolute power. Now, in this final point, I will show how God himself can have a shadow, and more specifically, God's hand can have a shadow.
God’s Shadow:
“The Lord's anointed, our very breath, were caught in their traps. We thought that under his shadow we would live among the nations."
Lamentations 4:20
Granted, this could be speaking in metaphor, but there's more!
“He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."
Psalms 91:1
Metaphor or literal? There are arguments for both sides, but even if you see it more metaphorically, there still is deep meaning here as it relates to this thesis.
“The Lord watches over you, the Lord is your shade at your right hand.”
Psalms 121:5
God's Wings as Causing Shadows:
“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings."
Psalms 17:8
“How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings."
Psalms 36:7
“Have mercy on me, oh God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. "
Psalms 57:1
“Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
Psalms 63:7
These are all writings from David, I wonder if he wrote of it as literal or metaphor? Maybe he knew something that we don't in our modern age. It is interesting that David first learned and cultivated his faith and knowledge of the Lord while working as a shepherd boy, and this lowly occupation required many long dark hours in the night shift.
While it is true that the Hebrew word used for "shadow" in these verses (Sel) is mostly used figuratively in scripture, there are at least two occasions where the root word is used to simply mean literal shadows - Ne 13:19 & Ez 31:3.
God's Hand Causing a Shadow:
Now I want to get even more specific and move to God's hand emitting a shadow! There are two verses which speak of it:
“He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me, he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver." Isaiah 49:2
“I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand. I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, you are my people."
Isaiah 51:16
This verse is very enlightening because it is in context with God setting the cosmos in place, and earlier in verse thirteen, "stretching out the heavens".
Further Insight:
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? Psalms 8:3
The words, “Set in place”, come from the Hebrew – “Kun” – which means to determine, to direct, establish or aim.
“It is I who made the earth and created mankind upon it. My own hands stretched out the heavens, I marshaled their starry hosts.” Isaiah 45:12
The word, “Marshaled” comes from the Hebrew – “Sawah” – which means to order, command or instruct.
OK, I know that I have dug deep into the original language, but for those who prefer the plain, clear, straight forward English translation, is there any scripture that states God directing the stars? Not creating them, but actually manipulating their course? YES:
“Can you bind the beautiful Pleiades? Can you loose the cords of Orion? Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons, or lead the bear out with its cubs?
Job 38:31-32
This is God speaking to Job, and speaking rather sarcastically and rhetorically! In other words, “Job, you can’t do these things, but I can!!”
Final note: There is the possibility that God also arranged all the stars and constellations to show, what has been called, “The Gospel in the Stars”. This has been written about by Dr, D. James Kennedy, and long before him by E. W. Bullinger in his classic; The Witness of the Stars.
If this is true, it simply further re-enforces the idea that God not only created them, but continues to work in his creation by leading, guiding, directing and moving them into whatever he chooses.
I have read these, and many other writings on this subject and , although not completely convinced, they bring out incredible metaphors and links to the Gospel message, by revealing the ancient names of the constellations and what they signify.
Conclusion and Summary
I know that I have posted many scriptures and have taken a long road to get to this point, so I will make it very clear, plain and simple at this time:
I believe that it is possible that God himself is responsible for the source of dark matter and energy! Not in some abstract, or indirect way, but possibly directly responsible as he leads, guides and directs the stars and galaxies. Dark matter and energy could actually be the shadow of God!
Once again, I claim no "hidden knowledge" or new revelations on these things. But rather I hope to stimulate thinking and submit some distinct possibilities on a science mystery from scripture. Hopefully you will think further on these things, read further, and draw your own conclusions
I am convinced that God created the cosmos! Also it is very clear that God controls it!
The question that we seek an answer for is: Does God only control it indirectly behind the scenes through only natural physical laws? Or does God control it behind the scenes by BOTH natural physical laws, AND also directly, supernaturally by his divine intervention?
I personally believe the latter is true.
I do sincerely believe there is absolute truth and everything is NOT relative! There is a truth to glean from scripture on these, and other issues, at this point however, I am not dogmatic or sure of my conclusions, yet. Maybe, with more thinking and as science progresses, we can come to a more definite conclusion.
Thanks for reading, grace & peace, John Boda