Something — probably a deer mouse — runs over my left foot. I ignore it. Leaning far back in my camp chair I scan for shooting stars in the crystal heavens. At 8,000 feet on this Great Basin mountain the night can reach out and catch a star. …
* * * * *
As a biologist I know of well over 100 improbable events,
each with such narrow bounds that the probability of even one chance-happening
is unlikely. The prospect that all of them occurred by chance is unbelievable.
Tonight,
as a Christian gazing at the universe, I contemplate these improbable
events — and the many conditions needed for life to exist on earth.
Just how did we get here … and what sustains us?
The Big Bang
Science believes that the universe began with a cosmic explosion called
the “big bang.” From that the universe has expanded to what
it is today. If the cosmos had expanded less than 1 percent more slowly,
the universe would have stopped expanding in its infancy and compacted
into a single ball of matter — no galaxies, no stars, no planets,
no life. On the other hand, if it had expanded a bit faster, matter would
have been unable to collect into galaxies, stars, planets — again,
no life.
The Strong Nuclear Force
Scientists tell us that a strong nuclear force holds particles of matter
together in the nucleus of the atom. Humans (and all else) are made of
matter. We all experience this strong nuclear force, though we are completely
unaware of it. If it were slightly stronger there would be no hydrogen
and therefore no water. Or, if the force were slightly weaker, there would
be only hydrogen. No oxygen or other elements would exist.
Gravity
The force attracting matter to matter is called gravity. Although by far
the weakest force in nature, nothing escapes gravity’s influence.
Gravity frames the structure of the entire universe and all that is found
within. If the universal gravitational force were stronger the stars would
burn too hot, using up fuel and dying too quickly for life to exist on
planets orbiting the stars. Or, if the surface gravity on earth were stronger,
the atmosphere would retain too much methane and ammonia, which at present
slowly escape to space. Both gases are poisonous to most life.
Water
Through the processes of evaporation and precipitation all of the earth’s
water is cycled through the atmosphere. If surface gravity were weaker,
the atmosphere would lose much of the planet’s water to space, as
may have happened on Mars. No water, no advanced life. There is no other
substance so suitable to be a major player in the support of life.
If the average atmospheric water content were less, there would be insufficient
rainfall on land to support higher life forms. If it were higher there
would be a runaway greenhouse effect possibly causing the surface of the
earth to become too hot for life. The planet Venus has experienced an
uncontrolled greenhouse effect resulting in a surface temperature of more
than 800 degrees Fahrenheit, well over the melting temperature of lead
(621.5 degrees).
Oxygen
Even though it is constantly being used and replenished by living things
— both plants and animals — the atmosphere’s oxygen content
remains about 21 percent.
If the percentage of oxygen were to increase, the surface of the earth
would become a dangerous place. Combustible materials would catch fire
too easily and burn hot and fast. Spontaneous combustion would happen
much more often. Once a forest fire started there would be little hope
of putting it out. Much of the earth’s land surface would be burned
over.
If the oxygen level in the air were a little less, animals with high metabolic
rates such as birds and mammals, including humans, would have difficulty
absorbing enough oxygen through their lungs. We would all be panting as
if we were on top of Mt. Everest. Those with weak hearts wouldn’t
survive.
Seen and Unseen
Conditions must be fine-tuned for advanced life to exist. Science says
that given enough time, everything could have happened entirely by chance.
The problem is, science now believes that the universe began only about
14 billion years ago. That is not enough time — even 50 billion years
is not enough.
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities
— his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen,
being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse”
(Romans 1:20).
Science often accepts evidence for things that can’t be seen. Black
holes are a good example. Formed through the collapse of a massive spent
star, the black hole can’t be seen because of its small size and
the fact that its gravity is so strong that not even light can escape.
Only by studying the effects of its immense gravitational field on nearby
stars and other matter do scientists identify a black hole. This evidence
requires a certain amount of faith — not much different from the
faith of the believer in God. Neither God nor the black hole can be directly
observed, but the evidence for them is there. For me, direct and indirect
evidence for God is overwhelming. I’m not sure about the black hole.
* * * * *
Something tugs at my left shoelace. I jump, startled from my relaxed
study of the night sky. My flashlight reveals nothing moving, but there
are plenty of mouse tracks in the dust. The imprint of my left shoe is
clear. Going right to it is the track of a mouse. The hind feet show five
toes. The slightly smaller front feet display four. The tracks of two
hind feet are right next to the imprint of my shoe. This tells me the
mouse stood on its hind feet, put its front feet on my shoe and pulled
at my shoe lace.
I go to bed. No shooting stars tonight.
