What Does the Bible Say About the Big Bang of the Universe?

Most scientists offer the Big Bang theory to explain the way the universe sprang into existence approximately 13.8 billion years ago. According to the theory, the universe inflated (hence the term “big bang”), expanded and cooled, starting from a very small, very hot singularity that emerged into what we know of the universe today. Astrophysicist Hugh Ross (2018, p. 28) has indicated that all Big Bang theories share “(1) a transcendent cosmic beginning that occurred a finite time ago; (2) a continuous, universal cosmic expansion; and (3) a cosmic cooling from an extremely hot initial state.”

The intention of this writing is to identify Biblical support for each of these points. In other words, centuries before 1925 when the Big Bang was promoted by Abbe George Lemaitre, Job, Moses, David, Isaiah, John, Zechariah, Paul and other Biblical authors predicted the creation and expansion of the universe.

A transcendent cosmic beginning that began a finite time ago

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

Isaiah 45:18 “For this is what the LORD says – he who created the heavens, he is God.”

Proverbs 8:22 “The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; I was formed long ages ago,  at the very beginning, when the world came to be.”

Titus 1:2 “in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time…”

John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”

John 17:24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.”

Colossians 1:15-16 “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”

 1 Peter 1:20 “He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.”

2  Timothy 1:9 “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time…”

A continuous, universal cosmic expansion

Job 9:8 “He alone stretches out the heavens.”

Psalm 104:2 “The LORD wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent.

Isaiah 42:5 “This is what God the LORD says – the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out.”

Zechariah 12:1 “The LORD, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundations of the earth, and who forms the human spirit within a person…”

Please note that the word often chosen in the Old Testament to describe the expansion of the heavens is “raqa,” which translates as stretching or spreading out.

A cosmic cooling (and progressive decay) from an extremely hot initial state

Romans 8:20 “For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”

Revelation 21:1 “Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first earth had passed away.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Bible offers solid support for the creation of the universe, distinguishing it from other religious texts. Thank God. “For the heavens declare the glory of God. The skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Psalm 19:1.

Thank you for your time.

Reference

Ross, H. (2018). The Creator and the Cosmos. Corvina, CA: Reasons to Believe.