Our Childlike View of the Universe

Agreed.  However, ignorance plays a major role, too.

Often, I tell those who purport to be Atheist (they're more likely Agnostic, though) not to neglect studying ALL the data before coming to a conclusion.  If I study half of the data, I can come to some pretty crazy conclusions.  By the way, I tell Christians the same - study all the data.  To that point ...

I just finished watching Did God Create the Universe? a film by Steven Hawking.  First off - very cool.  I learned a few things.  I also heard a few of the same things I learned when the Big Bang Theory first emerged.  I like the theory - it is a very strong guess at what exactly happened based on the natural observations we can make today via physics, astronomy, and quantum theory.  I recall giving a talk on the Big Bang when I was in 5th grade.  See - I was a skeptic even at that age, seeking the truth.  Through my efforts to take in ALL data points, I eventually found that truth at age 38, about 5 years ago.  For more on that, feel free to read "A Skeptic's Epiphany".  Back to Mr. Hawking's film ...

While I did not come to the same conclusions as to what Mr. Hawking was proposing at the conclusion of the film, I did learn a lot about how the Atheist argument is contrived (and I learned more about this incredible universe God created - amazing stuff).  The film makes a salient argument from our limited human grasp of reality, but disregards certain data points (I think both intentionally and unintentionally) to strengthen its argument.  I agree on a number of points.   

• A "Big Bang" of sorts seems pretty logical - at least as far as my brain can fathom.  How that bang happened is up for discussion, but I can't think of anything better using only natural causes.
• The concept of time slowing to a stop within a black hole seems logical, as well, and echos likely how it was prior to the Big Bang, in theory.  No time, no space ... nothing material.

A few observations, however:

1. It says, in conclusion, that the Universe could not have been created by a God because time did not exist before the Big Bang.  There was no “time” to create it, and nothing existed before time.  This assumes God is within the constraints of time and space, which He is not.  This is an assumption based on a desire to remove God from the equation, not a logical conclusion.
2. The film rightfully notes many historical fallacies created by humans in order to  highlight how many supernatural beliefs of the past were explained away through the continued pursuit of science.  Thank goodness for this pursuit, as we would likely still have people who believe that Thor (the god of lightning) struck down some guy's house because he displeased him.  The conclusion, however, was intended to lead the viewer to an impression that “this too” (belief in God) is just another fallacy that science can explain away.  But it doesn’t - not even close.  Because one is untrue does not mean the other is untrue, especially considering actual evidence that God exists and is involved in our lives minute by minute.  That said, here are a few points the film doesn't even mention:
• The Universe creating the Universe assumes that there was an infinitesimally dense, infinitesimally small dot where all the ingredients existed.  It was in a primordial black hole where time had not started.  Interesting theory, but this creates other questions:  “Where did this stuff come from?  And where did the black hole come from?”
• This film in no way touches on life.  Even simple single-cell life, not to mention complex, sentient life.  Did life create life?  Matter into life?  Alchemists have tried making gold from lead and failed.  How can life come from matter?  A "chemical reaction" is a stretch and is equivalent to saying a software application came from two microchips in a saucer of milk.  This is grasping-at-straws logic
• Where did DNA come from?  The complex code that is DNA in one molecule is enough to fill a stack of books that would extend to the moon multiple times over.  Where did this intelligent, non-radom data come from?
• And consciousness?  How can we even think about this?  How is Steven’s brain even working in this way?  What would be the natural purpose?
3. If you were hiking in the most remote areas of one of the great forests, and came across a device that was assembled in such a way that it accurately told time, fit on your wrist and had writing on it that spelled out Rolex, would you even consider a theory that nature created it?  Or would the simple explanation be that a watch designer create it?

He states that the easiest explanation is that this all just "happened" - negative energy (like a hole being dug) creating positive energy (like a mound of dirt), balancing things out perfectly.  He states that God does not need to exist for this and that, likely, heaven and hell or any afterlife does not exist.  "This is the easiest explanation", he says.  Not so.  The easier, more elegant explanation comes with God at the center.  

There is a dog on this earth that is the smartest dog in history.  I believe that.  That dog is probably capable of thinking beyond the capabilities of other dogs … but he is still a dog.  His mental capability can only expand so far, then it stops.  Therefore, there are MANY things outside of his grasp (literally and figuratively since he has no opposable thumbs).  He doesn’t think so, but we know so.  If he could speak our language, he would likely argue that point with you, though.  Steven Hawking is no different.  Everything he’s discovered (along with history’s other great scientists) is incredible.  An achievement worthy of appreciation, admiration and study.  But it is not AGAINST God.  Quite to the contrary - it is a deeper glimpse into God’s creation.  That is the beauty of real science - we can figure out how things work - things God created and put in motion.  But we're in a 5 million foot deep pool, swimming around in the wading area, coming to lackluster conclusions because we don't want to believe God exists and might care what we do with our lives.

Sometimes we are just silly ... arrogant and self-aggrandizing.  We believe that the very intelligence given to us by God is somehow a way to prove He doesn’t exist, instead of His gift to allow us to understand Him better.  Steven - you are far more intelligent than I am in many ways, but common sense is not one of your greatest traits.  At least this film makes it seem like that's the case.  I love what you do - keep doing it.  But also, consider (do not preclude) the supernatural as well as the natural.  

Most concepts discovered by science were already in the Bible.  PEOPLE got this wrong in history, yes, but the Bible always had it right.  People - not the Bibles they read - are flawed.  Steven, you are climbing a mountain to Truth, but when you reach the top, you will find Theologians sitting there holding a Bible.  Please don't stop climbing though.  What you are learning about God’s creation is fascinating and important and I want to know it.  I thank you for this.  But to use it as a way to disprove the very Creator that gave you the ability to climb?  Childlike in its innocence, but beautiful and worthwhile nonetheless.

Many parents - including Steven Hawking's, I imagine - have used the phrase, "Because I said so."  This phrase is either a lazy response or, more often, it's an acknowledgement by the parent that the concept the toddler is asking "but why?" about is simply beyond the toddler's mental capability.  For now, it's best to just tell the toddler, "I'll explain when you get older."  In case my analogy wasn't clear, God is the parent ... we are the toddler.  

And the toddler should most definitely keep asking, "but why?".

For more on this topic, see No Steven Hawking, God Did Create the Universe >>

P.S. The archaic definition of "science" is, simply, "knowledge".  As long as science is the pursuit of knowledge, without precluding data we'd prefer not to consider from the beginning, ending at the most logical conclusions ... I am a huge fan of science.  It is our limited ability to understand that which God - our Creator - has made so.  It's a beautiful pursuit and I am open to any logical conclusions.