The Search for the Convergence of the Absolute Beginning and the Doctrine of Creatio ex Nihilo

Authors

  • Fedor MINAKOV Fedor Minakov, M.A.T.S. candidate, Westminster Seminary California B. Th., Donetsk Christian University; B. Th., Reformed International Theological Seminary., Ukraine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29357/issn.2521-179X.2017.18.23

Keywords:

Creation, Big Bang, Genesis 1, Cosmology, Convergence

Abstract

Science and theology have very different methodology and use different tools. Despite the differences sometimes both disciplines try to answer same question. One of the questions addressed by science and theology is the origin of the universe. Present article is an attempt to describe how certain scientific achievements in cosmology can support biblical message about the beginning of the world. Bible teaches that the world was created by God out of nothing a finite time ago. Current cosmology holds to the view that is widely known as the Big Bang theory. According to this theory the universe appeared out of the state of infinite density around 15 billion years ago. This revolutionary statement implies that modern physicists do not adhere anymore to the view that the universe is eternal. Thus, both Bible and science claim that the universe had the beginning. Some theoretical physicists have proposed that the universe came out of nothing. Analysis shows that although the statement sounds similar to the doctrine of creatio ex nihilo it has different meaning. However, this difference does not annul the possibility of the convergence of two sides.

Author Biography

Fedor MINAKOV, Fedor Minakov, M.A.T.S. candidate, Westminster Seminary California B. Th., Donetsk Christian University; B. Th., Reformed International Theological Seminary.

Fedor Minakov, M.A.T.S. candidate, Westminster Seminary California B. Th., Donetsk Christian University; B. Th., Reformed International Theological Seminary.

References

  1. GENERAL REFERENCES
  2. Craig, William Laine and Sinclair, James D. “The Kalam Cosmological Argument.” In The Blackwell Companion to Natural Theology. Edited by William Laine Craig & J. P. Moreland. West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell, 2012.
  3. SINGLE AUTHOR BOOKS
  4. Barr, M. Stephen. Modern Physics and Ancient Faith. Notre Dame, Indiana: University of Notre Dame Press, 2003.
  5. Barbour, G. Ian. Religion and Science: Historical and Contemporary Issues. New York, NY: Harper Collins, 1997.
  6. ________. When Science Meets Religion: Enemies, Strangers, or Partners? New York, NY: HarperCollins, 2000.
  7. Collins, S. Francis. The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief. New York, NY: Free Press, 2006.
  8. Collins C. John. Genesis 1-4: A Linguistic, Literary, and Theological Commentary. Phillippsburg, New Jersey: P&R, 2006.
  9. Hamilton, P. Victor. The Book of Genesis: Chapters 1-17, NICOT. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans,1990.
  10. Hawking, W. Stephen. A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes. New York, NY: Bantam Books, 1988.
  11. ________. The Nature of Space and Time. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1996.
  12. Horton, Michael. The Christian Faith: A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims On the Way. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011.
  13. Kaiser, B. Christopher. Creational Theology and the History of Physical Science: the Creationist Tradition From Basil to Bohr. Leiden, Netherrlands: Brill, 1997.
  14. McFarland, A. Ian. From Nothing: A Theology of Creation. Louisville, Kentucky: John Knox Press, 2014.
  15. McGrath, Alister. Inventing the Universe: Why We Can’t Stop Talking About Science, Faith and God. London, UK: Hodder & Stoughton, 2015.
  16. _______. Science & Religion: An Introduction. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishers, 1999.
  17. Polkinghorne, John. Science & Theology: An Introduction. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Fortress Press, 1998.
  18. Walton, H. John. Genesis 1 as Ancient Cosmology. Winona Lake, Indiana: Eisenbraus, 2011.
  19. Westermann, Claus. Genesis 1-11: A Commentary. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1984.
  20. MULTIPLE AUTHORS BOOKS
  21. Carlson F. Richard and Longman III, Tremper. Science, Creation and the Bible: Reconciling Rival Theories of Origins. Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Academic, 2010.
  22. Craig, William Lane and Smith, Quentin. Theism, Atheism, and Big Bang Cosmology. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1993.
  23. Copan, Paul and Craig, William Lane. Creation out of Nothing: A Biblical Philosophical, and Scientific Exploration. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academics, 2004.
  24. Genderen, van J. and Velema, W. H. Concise Reformed Dogmatics. Phillipsburg, New Jersey: P&R, 2008.
  25. JOURNAL ARTICLES
  26. Copan, Paul. “Is Creatio Ex Nihilo a Post-Biblical Invention? An Examination of Gerhard May’s Proposal.” Trinity Journal 17, no. 1 (Spr 1996): 77-93.
  27. Craighead, Houston A. “Quantum Physics, Big Bang Cosmologies, and God: An Argument from Contingency.” Perspectives in Religious Studies 22, no. 2 (Sum 1995):149-163.
  28. Mithany, Audrey and Vilenkin, Alexander. “Did the Universe Have a Beginning?” (April 2012). Accessed November 19, 2016. http://arxiv.org/abs/1204.4658.
  29. Rubenstein, Mary-Jane. “Cosmic Singularities: On the Nothing and the Sovereign.” Journal of the American Academy of Religion 80, no. 2 (Jun 2012): 485-517.
  30. Vilenkin Alexander. “Creation of Universes from Nothing.” Physics Letters B 117 (1982): 25-28.
  31. Vilenkin, Alexander. “The Beginning of the Universe.” Inference: International Review of Science 1, no. 4 (October 2015). Accessed November 19, 2016. http://inference-review.com /article/the-beginning-of-the-universe.
  32. Weeks, Noel. “The Bible and the ‘Universal’ Ancient World: a Critique of John Walton.” The Westminster Theological Journal 78, no. 1 (Spr 2016): 1-28.
  33. РЕФЕРАТИВНЫЕ ИЗДАНИЯ
  34. Craig, William Laine and Sinclair, James D. “The Kalam Cosmological Argument.” In The Blackwell Companion to Natural Theology. Edited by William Laine Craig & J. P. Moreland. West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell, 2012.
  35. КНИГИ ОДНОГО АВТОРА
  36. Barr, M. Stephen. Modern Physics and Ancient Faith. Notre Dame, Indiana: University of Notre Dame Press, 2003.
  37. Barbour, G. Ian. Religion and Science: Historical and Contemporary Issues. New York, NY: Harper Collins, 1997.
  38. ________. When Science Meets Religion: Enemies, Strangers, or Partners? New York, NY: HarperCollins, 2000.
  39. Collins, S. Francis. The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief. New York, NY: Free Press, 2006.
  40. Collins C. John. Genesis 1-4: A Linguistic, Literary, and Theological Commentary. Phillippsburg, New Jersey: P&R, 2006.
  41. Hamilton, P. Victor. The Book of Genesis: Chapters 1-17, NICOT. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans,1990.
  42. Hawking, W. Stephen. A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes. New York, NY: Bantam Books, 1988.
  43. ________. The Nature of Space and Time. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1996.
  44. Horton, Michael. The Christian Faith: A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims On the Way. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011.
  45. Kaiser, B. Christopher. Creational Theology and the History of Physical Science: the Creationist Tradition From Basil to Bohr. Leiden, Netherrlands: Brill, 1997.
  46. McFarland, A. Ian. From Nothing: A Theology of Creation. Louisville, Kentucky: John Knox Press, 2014.
  47. McGrath, Alister. Inventing the Universe: Why We Can’t Stop Talking About Science, Faith and God. London, UK: Hodder & Stoughton, 2015.
  48. _______. Science & Religion: An Introduction. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishers, 1999.
  49. Polkinghorne, John. Science & Theology: An Introduction. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Fortress Press, 1998.
  50. Walton, H. John. Genesis 1 as Ancient Cosmology. Winona Lake, Indiana: Eisenbraus, 2011.
  51. Westermann, Claus. Genesis 1-11: A Commentary. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1984.
  52. КНИГИ КОЛЛЕКТИВНЫХ АВТОРОВ
  53. Carlson F. Richard and Longman III, Tremper. Science, Creation and the Bible: Reconciling Rival Theories of Origins. Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Academic, 2010.
  54. Craig, William Lane and Smith, Quentin. Theism, Atheism, and Big Bang Cosmology. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1993.
  55. Copan, Paul and Craig, William Lane. Creation out of Nothing: A Biblical Philosophical, and Scientific Exploration. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academics, 2004.
  56. Genderen, van J. and Velema, W. H. Concise Reformed Dogmatics. Phillipsburg, New Jersey: P&R, 2008.
  57. ЖУРНАЛЬНЫЕ СТАТЬИ
  58. Copan, Paul. “Is Creatio Ex Nihilo a Post-Biblical Invention? An Examination of Gerhard May’s Proposal.” Trinity Journal 17, no. 1 (Spr 1996): 77-93.
  59. Craighead, Houston A. “Quantum Physics, Big Bang Cosmologies, and God: An Argument from Contingency.” Perspectives in Religious Studies 22, no. 2 (Sum 1995):149-163.
  60. Mithany, Audrey and Vilenkin, Alexander. “Did the Universe Have a Beginning?” (April 2012). Accessed November 19, 2016. http://arxiv.org/abs/1204.4658.
  61. Rubenstein, Mary-Jane. “Cosmic Singularities: On the Nothing and the Sovereign.” Journal of the American Academy of Religion 80, no. 2 (Jun 2012): 485-517.
  62. Vilenkin Alexander. “Creation of Universes from Nothing.” Physics Letters B 117 (1982): 25-28.
  63. Vilenkin, Alexander. “The Beginning of the Universe.” Inference: International Review of Science 1, no. 4 (October 2015). Accessed November 19, 2016. http://inference-review.com /article/the-beginning-of-the-universe.
  64. Weeks, Noel. “The Bible and the ‘Universal’ Ancient World: a Critique of John Walton.” The Westminster Theological Journal 78, no. 1 (Spr 2016): 1-28.
Theological Reflections #18 / 2017

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Published

2017-09-04

How to Cite

MINAKOV, Fedor. 2017. “The Search for the Convergence of the Absolute Beginning and the Doctrine of Creatio Ex Nihilo”. Theological Reflections: Eastern European Journal of Theology, no. 18 (September):9-34. https://doi.org/10.29357/issn.2521-179X.2017.18.23.

Issue

No. 18 (2017): THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS: Euro-Asian Journal of Theology

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