January 29, 2015 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Queen's Lecture Theatre, Emmanuel College

Hans Halvorson

Twentieth century physical cosmology made “the universe” into a precise theoretical object, governed by the laws of the general theory of relativity. But one result of this theoretical consolidation is that “the universe” becomes autonomous: it is neither brought in existence by some supernatural being, nor does its continued existence require any external intervention. Indeed, physical cosmology has no need for the hypothesis of a Creator or Sustainer of the universe.

Shouldn’t we then conclude that the universe has no need for God? On the contrary, I argue that the absence of God from physical cosmology provides no evidence against the existence of a divine Creator. In fact, if the universe and its laws are the result of a free, creative act of God, then God is not constrained by natural laws, and God should not occur as the explanans in any scientific account of the universe.

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Does the Universe need God?

Hans Halvorson

Does the Universe need God?

January 29, 2014