Stuart, my dear chap,Thank you very much indeed for your kind response. May Jesus richly and abundantly Bless you today.
You raise an interesting issue. I think that from man's limited viewpoint (ie. three dimensions of space and one dimension of time) there are some difficulties with this. Firstly, man could not discover that the ever-decreasing particle cycle goes on infinitely or it would not be infinite. We must then make an assumption, as you have correctly done, which then places us within the area of speculation. Speculation is a two-edged sword. To demonstrate how this can be misused, I offer the following.
Since anti-theists backs are to the wall, in terms of the scientific discovery to the beginning of our universe, they have indeed been heavily into the business of speculation. Can you blame them? With only one to the minus 37th of a second's worth of wiggle-room left, what else can they do?
Famous speculations include the quantum "Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle". Notice the cunning terminology here, "principle". Science cannot award this notion the title "law" or "theorem", why? Because this "principle" cannot, by its own definition, be subject to the scrutiny of the scientific method. You see, the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle says that by the time you locate a sub-atomic particle, you've lost its velocity and direction. Likewise, by the time you have determined its velocity and direction, you've lost its location. It is the classic circular reasoning of which, by their own definition, there can be no critics. You must therefore invest blind belief in this to accept it. Blind belief in who? Some "scientist", certainly not God. This blind belief clearly places "principles" like these in the realm of religion, not science.
It also explains why much of modern "pop-science" is now associated with the New Age movement. Their explanations are becoming more and more bizarre all of the time. Apparently they have no where else to turn to in order to get a listening audience.
Now, back to your question. As a contrast to these anti-theistic speculators, I enjoy reading how God, in the Bible, is so exact and accurate, even with His seemingly incidental background details. To relate this to your question, I have found a few examples:
"By faith we understand that the universe was formed of God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible." (Hebrews 11:3)
Did you know that modern physicists say that all visible (1%) things were formed by invisible (99%) things?
"in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." (1 Corinthians 15:52)
Does the resurrected body not sound like a change in atoms? This is exactly what scientists say about transcending extra-dimensional space/time.
"That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in heat." (2 Peter 3:12)
It is interesting to note that this phenomenon has already been observed by man. In the desert of New Mexico in the United States the sand was indeed melted and turned to glass after a nuclear test explosion.
"He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (Colossians 1:17)
This may be the closest to your answer on Hebrews 1:3. Jesus Christ existed before the beginning of time, therefore He is the Beginner (cause and effect). If He decides to let go of things, they will indeed venture entropically out of control.
I find these examples quite satisfying, in that, they were given to us back in the first century. Certainly the Epistle writers could not have merely guessed at these things and also have been so accurate. They were not scientists. They did not have access to computerized databases. They did not have radio telescopes or particle accelerators. Moreover, our scientific confirmations were not made until well into this century when the proper tools did indeed become available. Clearly God had to reveal these things to man.
Well, Stuart, I'm evermore delighted to know that you have faith in Jesus Christ. Keep praying, my dear friend.
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33
Robert M. Mitrocsak
P.S. I'm glad that you enjoyed my posting. To read more, scroll down the chat page. I touched off a big row when I corrected someone who absurdly accused the Pilgrims of being communists.
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