Resource Spotlight: A Christian Physicist Examines the Big Bang Theory

By Steven Ball, Ph.D.
Originally published September 2003

In the world of bumper stickers and car magnets, the battle lines between faith and science are often drawn in bold, contrasting colors. We see the “Darwin Fish” eating the “Ichthus,” or the retort that “God said it, and ‘Bang!’ it happened.” These slogans reveal a deep-seated anxiety: the fear that accepting modern cosmology means abandoning the authority of Scripture.

Dr. Steven Ball, a Christian physicist and educator, wrote “A Christian Physicist Examines the Big Bang Theory” to dismantle this false dichotomy. As a follow-up to his work on the age of the Earth, this booklet dives deep into the scientific evidence for the universe’s origin, arguing that the Big Bang theory is not an enemy of faith, but a powerful testimony to the Creator.

At Atoms and Adam, we believe that God has revealed truth through two books: the Book of Scripture and the Book of Nature. Dr. Ball’s work demonstrates how these two books tell a consistent story, confirming that the universe had a beginning, is expanding, and was finely tuned for life—all pointing to a God who transcends time and space.

Why This Resource Matters

The Big Bang theory is often misunderstood by Christians as a purely secular, atheistic framework. Dr. Ball, trained in experimental high energy physics, shows that the theory actually demands a cause outside the universe itself. The scientific consensus that the universe began from a singular point of infinite density aligns remarkably with the opening words of Genesis: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1).

This resource is essential for parents and teachers who want to:

• Understand the scientific evidence (CMBR, element abundance, expansion) without needing a PhD.
• Defend the faith against the claim that science disproves a Creator.
• Show children that the “stretching out” of the heavens is a biblical concept confirmed by modern astronomy.

Three Key Insights for Families

1. The Universe Had a Beginning (and a Beginner)
One of the most profound discoveries of the 20th century was that the universe is not eternal. Dr. Ball explains how the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR)—the afterglow of the initial explosion—provides undeniable proof that the universe began at a specific moment. This confirms the biblical truth that time itself had a start. As the writer of Hebrews notes, “By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.” (Hebrews 11:3). The Big Bang tells us that the universe began; Scripture tells us Who caused it.

2. The “Stretching Out” of the Heavens
Long before Edwin Hubble discovered that galaxies are moving away from us, the prophets of Israel spoke of God “stretching out the heavens.” Dr. Ball highlights ten scriptural references, such as Isaiah 40:22 and Jeremiah 10:12. The language of “stretching” is a precise description of the expansion of space-time itself. This is not a coincidence; it is a divine signature embedded in the text, visible only now that science has caught up to revelation.

3. Fine-Tuning and the “God of the Gaps”
Ball addresses the “problems” with the Big Bang, such as the uniformity of the cosmos and the “missing mass” (dark matter). He shows how the theory of inflation and the precise ratios of hydrogen and helium formed in the first three minutes demonstrate a universe that is exquisitely fine-tuned for life. If the expansion rate had been slightly different, the universe would have collapsed or expanded too fast for stars to form. This points to a Designer, not chance. As Psalm 19:1 declares, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And the expanse is declaring the work of His hands.”

A Path Forward for Faith and Reason

Dr. Ball challenges the notion that we must choose between the Bible and the Big Bang. He argues that rejecting the scientific evidence often stems from a fear that science will undermine faith. Yet, the evidence suggests the opposite: the universe is a coherent, comprehensible place that points directly to a rational Creator.

“The Big Bang theory does not leave God out of the picture… It is merely a scientific account of how our universe has dramatically changed since its infancy. The question of its ultimate cause strongly suggests a Creator with a definite purpose.”

For families navigating questions about Cosmology, Deep Time, and Genesis, this booklet provides a robust foundation. It validates the scientific method as a tool to uncover God’s glory while affirming the sufficiency of Scripture for salvation and spiritual truth.

Read the Full Resource

We highly encourage you to read Dr. Ball’s full text. It is written with clarity, humility, and a deep love for the God who spoke the universe into existence.

https://www.letu.edu/academics/arts-and-sciences/files/big-bang.pdf