A lot of people think that if something did cause the universe, we humans are too small and limited to really know anything for sure about it. While it’s true we are limited, there are still lots of things we can confidently know about the cause of the universe!
So, what are those things we can know?
Well, we know it couldn’t be constrained by matter (the physical world) since it created everything physical, so it must be immaterial. This universe-causer couldn’t be constrained by space or time, since both of those came into existence when the universe did; thus, it must be spaceless (infinite) and timeless (eternal). Next, we know it created all the energy in our universe, so it must be all powerful, or at least immensely powerful. Lastly (and this one takes longer to explain), this universe-causer must be personal. But why?
If something is personal it has free will to choose—it has a mind. Some people believe some impersonal things, like numbers or forces (not people or minds), have always existed. Some even think the universe was made by a force like that. But here’s the problem: if some force without a mind caused the universe, then the universe would have always existed with that force—because it wouldn’t have been able to choose to create the universe. It would just happen automatically. If the force is an always-existing (eternal) cause, then the universe would be the always-existing effect of that cause.
Let’s think of this impersonal force like the Force in Star Wars. The Force is used by many groups for their own benefit. Characters use it to gain knowledge, power, defense, and control, but the Force only has power when someone with a mind uses it. Without someone using the Force, it would just exist; it wouldn’t do anything or make anything happen. It couldn’t. However, some characters think the Force can act on its own, without anyone controlling it. But if that were true, it would mean the Force has its own will or mind. Whether an eternal force has a mind or not, we know it can’t do anything until someone personal chooses to make it act. That’s why the universe couldn’t have been caused by something impersonal—something or someone had to start it on purpose.
To sum up what we’ve discussed so far: we know whatever created the universe must be immaterial, infinite, eternal, all/immensely powerful, and personal. Do these attributes sound like anything you’ve heard of before?
If you could strip away God’s relational qualities like love, justice, and mercy, what you’d be left with are his raw attributes—immaterial, infinite, eternal, all powerful, and personal. The universe-causer looks a lot like the Christian God!
Once we understand what kind of thing had to made the universe, we can be confident the universe didn’t make itself. That’s because the universe is made of created things: space, time, and matter. But even if someone says that the universe has all the god-like attributes we talked about, all they’re doing is saying God exists by a different name!
Some of you might still be thinking: what if the universe was created by a multiverse or a supercomputer, instead of God? (Even if you weren’t thinking this, you’ll want to read along in case someone says this to you). To that I would say, you might be right. While there isn’t good evidence a multiverse does exist, there also isn’t good evidence that it doesn’t. So, we may be living in one of one million universes. However, no matter how many universes exist, it still doesn’t answer the question: what caused it all in the first place? The same is true for the supercomputer; what caused that to exist? And if this supercomputer is the uncreated cause of the universe… well that still sounds a lot like God, doesn’t it?
While all this information is valuable to know that some sort of God exists, God has revealed himself in a much more personal way than his raw attributes. God wants you to understand him relationally as well. In fact, God wanted this so much that he came down to earth as a man to show us not only that he is eternal, but also that he is loving; not only that he is powerful, but also that he is merciful; and not only that he is personal, but also that he desires a personal relationship with you! God revealed this to us in his Word (the Bible), and in the person of Jesus, who loved you enough to die for your sins. Don’t settle for vague ideas about God when a deep and satisfying relationship with him is within your reach!
Written by Abbey Harley