Natural Sciences
Empirical investigation of the natural world
The natural sciences—physics, cosmology, biology, chemistry, neuroscience—provide empirical evidence about the structure and behavior of the physical world. While science cannot directly prove or disprove God's existence, it reveals features of reality that are more expected on theism than on naturalism.
Cosmology
The Beginning of the Universe
The Big Bang theory, confirmed by cosmic microwave background radiation and the expansion of the universe, indicates that the universe had a beginning approximately 13.8 billion years ago. This raises the question: why is there something rather than nothing?
- The Borde-Guth-Vilenkin theorem shows that any universe with average expansion must have a past boundary
- Even multiverse theories require an explanation for the multiverse generator
- The contingency of the universe points toward a necessary ground of existence
Physics
Fine-Tuning of Physical Constants
The fundamental constants of physics (gravitational constant, electromagnetic force, strong nuclear force, etc.) are precisely calibrated to permit the existence of complex structures, chemistry, and life.
- If gravity were slightly stronger, stars would burn too quickly for life to develop
- If the strong force were slightly weaker, only hydrogen would exist
- The cosmological constant is fine-tuned to 1 part in 10^120
Mathematical Structure of Reality
The universe is deeply mathematical—physical laws can be expressed in elegant equations. This "unreasonable effectiveness of mathematics" (Wigner) suggests that reality is grounded in rational structure.
Biology
The Origin of Life
The transition from non-living chemistry to the first self-replicating cell remains unexplained. The information content of even the simplest cell far exceeds what random processes can generate.
Biological Information
DNA contains specified complex information—functional sequences that perform specific tasks. Our uniform experience is that such information always originates from intelligent sources.
Neuroscience
Consciousness
The existence of subjective experience—the "hard problem of consciousness"—resists purely physical explanation. Why should any physical process give rise to inner experience? Theism provides a natural explanation: consciousness is fundamental because the ground of reality is itself conscious.