Watch the video above and talk about it with a group or mentor. Learn more.

The very structure of the universe is determined by the fundamental constants and quantities discovered by brilliant minds. Do these numbers point to the existence of God?

Key Points:

  • The structure of the universe is maintained by the fundamental constants and quantitites of the universe. These forces are fine-tuned for life to thrive and for the universe itself to exist. (See excursus 1 below for more.)
  • What is the best explanation for this astounding phenomenon? There are three main options: physical necessity, chance, or design.
  • Necessity says that the universe can only exist as it does. This is not a good answer. (See excursus 2 below for more.)
  • Chance says that random factors coalesced to form the universe and everyting in it as they are. This is also not a good answer. (See excursus 3 below for more.)
  • Intentional, intelligent design is the simplest explanation for why the universe is fine-tuned for life.

Quote This:

Colossians 1:17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.

“A common sense interpretation of the facts suggests that a superintellect has monkeyed with physics…and that there are no blind forces worth speaking about in nature. The numbers one calculates from the facts seem to me so overwhelming as to put this conclusion almost beyond question.” –Fred Hoyle, Astronomer

Talk About It
  1. What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. Why do you think the existence of God/supernatural beings is such a hot-button issue these days? Give some examples if you have any.
  3. Are science and religion necessarily opposed? Explain.
  4. What do you think is the strongest argument for God’s existence? Against?
  5. Read Psalm 19:1-2 and Colossians 3:17. How does understanding God’s role as creator and sustainer help us to have a right relationship with him?
  6. Read Hebrews 11:6. Even if all the facts about the universe were crystal clear, why would faith still be important for believing in and worshipping God?
  7. Write a personal action step based on this conversation.

Excursus 1

These are often called the four fundamental forces. They are gravity, the electromagnetic force, and the strong and weak nuclear forces. These values, all together, fall within an exceedingly narrow life-permitting range. If any of these fundamental forces were altered even slightly, the universe would cease to exist.

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Excursus 2

But is a life-prohibiting universe possible? Yes. Not only is it possible, it is far more likely than a life-permitting universe. The constants and quantities of the fundamental forces are not determined by the laws of nature – they don’t have to be “dialed” as they are – so there is no evidence suggesting that fine-tuning is necessary. The universe did not have to exist as it does, and statistically, it shouldn’t.

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Excursus 3

Because this is statistically impossible, some have speculated a multiverse theory. They imagine a type of “universe generator” that creates universes infinitely. If this occurred infinitely, eventually a universe that is “fine-tuned” for life would come about.

There is no scientific evidence for a multiverse. It cannot be detected, observed, measured, or proved. And the “universe generator” itself would require an enormous amount of fine-tuning. In that case, where did that fine-tuning come from? We return to the original problem.

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