This is a continuation of my discussion of the book Why the Universe is the Way It Is by Hugh Ross of Reasons to Believe. The questions dealt with in the book are:

• Why such a vast universe? – This was the topic of the first post.
• Why such an old universe? – the topic of the second post.
• Why such a lonely universe? – the topic of the third post.
• Why such a dark universe? – the topic of the fourth post.
• Why a decaying universe? – the topic of this post.
• Why a realm beyond this one?
• Why this particular planet, star, galaxy and universe?
• Why believe the Bible?
• Why not a perfect universe?
• Why these physical laws and dimensions?
• Why two creations?
• Why is the new creation better?

What do you think of when you think of decay? Compost, rotting food, rust, zombies? Scientifically, decay is directly related to the second law of thermodynamics. Simply put, this fundamental physical law states that energy, left alone, only flows in one direction – from a state of high energy (heat) to a state of low energy (cold). Another way to think of it is that objects that are ordered and complex (meaning they’ve had energy input and design put into them) will naturally become more disordered as time progresses – hence the concept of decay.

Combustion engines illustrate this process. As heat is generated (energy input) and allowed to cool (in the inner workings of the engine) some work is accomplished (the vehicle moves). However, not all of the heat is utilized as work. Some of it dissipates (exhaust system) and is lost to the environment (decay). No engine is able to be 100% efficient (e.g. using all of the energy input for work) without loss of energy to the environment. The second law of thermodynamics controls this.

British physicist William Thomson (aka Lord Kelvin) identified this loss of heat as the Cosmic Heat Death. He made the observation that the ultimate implications of the second law is that the universe will eventually die (left to its own devices) because as heat flows from hot to cold, eventually everything would reach the exact same temperature (known as 0 Kelvins) and all atomic motion would cease. No light, no orbits, no movement of any kind, and no life.

This reality makes this chapter of Hugh Ross’s book a real “downer.” The chapter itself offers no immediate answer to the question “Why a decaying universe?” other than the fact that the second law of thermodynamics enables physical work to be done. However, this chapter is a turning point in Ross’s book that leads to further discussion of why the universe is the way that it is – for our benefit.

However, we are not without hope. But the hope that we have for a future is promised us through scripture. As we prepare to move forward with this series, I want to remind you of a basic principle from the Bible, written by Paul to the church in Corinth. In 1 Corinthians 15:1-28, he writes:

“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.“

There are several points that I want to emphasize from this passage.

• We are NOT without hope, as long as we look beyond this universe to the One who made it and gives us hope.
• The hope that we have lies in Jesus, who conquered death once and for all. This is the assurance that we have that we can put our hope and trust in Him – that he was raised from the grave to live again and will never die.
• This is where our belief must reside – in the hope of His resurrection – not in the hope that we can be good like He was. Only by relying on His gift and finished atonement for our sin can we trust that He will give us eternal life
  • For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (John 3:16-18)
  • The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.(John 1:9-13)

We are approaching Easter once again, and I encourage you to attend a church and celebrate the only thing that gives us hope – the resurrection of Jesus Christ!