Comments for In the Beginning . . . at http://www.thecatholicthing.org , comment 1 to 16 out of 16 comments http://www.thecatholicthing.org Tue, 21 May 2013 02:52:04 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/in-the-beginning.html#comment-4183 BB: The diffence is if the universe is an object that like a clay jug, once formed the potter could leave and it would continue on its own or is it like an electrical current created in every instant just like at its inception. That current and generator could have existed eternally, but in every moment the current is created by the generator. Even if the universe had a moment of beginning, every Good is in & of GOD at all times; never seperate from Him. Hence created in every instant. Peace, - Tom Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:15:38 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/in-the-beginning.html#comment-4179 Joseph, While the Church accepts the Bible's account of creation, as Augustine argued long ago, since God is the author of both the books of Scripture and Nature, we should look for the truth in both as well. Both point to one thing, that any created thing has an existence that is dependent upon God. - RP Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:29:15 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/in-the-beginning.html#comment-4177 To be created fundamentally means to depend upon God as cause of existence. A universe without a temporal beginning (ie, an eternal universe) would still have to be created in order to exist. Obviously, a universe which has a temporal beginning is a created universe, but Thomas Aquinas saw clearly that it is intelligible to conceive of a universe which is created and eternal (in the sense of not having a beginning of time). He saw no contradiction in the very idea of an eternal universe. - William Carroll Sat, 27 Feb 2010 23:00:57 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/in-the-beginning.html#comment-4176 Please enlighten me, as I am scientifically and philosophically uneducated. What does it mean to say that the universe is "created," yet "eternal"? How can that which has always existed be "created" in any meaningful sense, unless we simply mean "formed into a cosmic order from premordial chaos"? Genesis 1 includes, but also seems to go far beyond, the formation of order from chaos. "In the beginning was the Word" by which God made everything. Made things are not eternal. Wherein have I erred? - Billy Bean Sat, 27 Feb 2010 14:31:03 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/in-the-beginning.html#comment-4174 Once again, my remarks have been understood. Reiterating, the first sentence of Genesis satisfies me as to the origin of the universe. If others wish to explore the matter further, that is their prerogative, of course. Natural curiosity, however, impels me to ask those who come to conclusions that differ from the Biblical account to provide compelling evidence that would have me rethink my convictions. Meanwhile, excuse me if I suffer in abysmal ignorance. - Joseph Sat, 27 Feb 2010 07:31:47 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/in-the-beginning.html#comment-4175 In today's world, it is necessary to distinguish a "scientist" from a "theoretician". As atheist Dr. Roger Penrose might say,much of what we see today is not science, but closer to speculation and wishful thinking until actual empirical evidence is discovered. This is not to say that the notion like "multiverse" is wrong, but many today seem to accept these mathematical day-dreamings as actual and correct reality (especially atheists who think they have the intellectual ability to disprove God.) - Robertz Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:02:48 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/in-the-beginning.html#comment-4173 If the Universe was immanent (as everyone pre-Hubble, from Plato to Einstein once believed) then the light of every star in it would have reached us and so there would be no dark spots in Earth's night sky. Using the discoveries of Doppler and others, Edwin Hubble found (as Mnsgr. Georges Lemaître later confirmed mathematically) that the Universe was expanding and definitely HAD TO HAVE a beginning. The question is: How did Abraham know 40 centuries before Hubble? The only answer is: REVELATION - Chuck Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:56:12 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/in-the-beginning.html#comment-4172 Metaphysics is not just word games, unless you are willing to make bad assumptions like the logical positivists. Also, this article does a great job of ruling out those incredibly poor attempts to give "Aquinas" 1st cause argument, like: my parents caused me, and their parents caused them, and their parents caused them, and this can't go back forever, so there must be a first cause, God. This way of phrasing the 1st cause argument would make Aquinas role over in his grave! Great work Carroll - Andrew Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:48:33 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/in-the-beginning.html#comment-4171 A video I would recommend to everyone is the scientific analysis done by Ben Stein, and others, on evolution done in EXPELLED. It actually shows him asking Richard Dawkins :Where did LIFE come from? After two or three attempts to answer, Dawkins finally blurts out that perhaps "aliens" introduced life to the world. Has anyone noticed that The Blessed Mother always selects young, unsophisticated people to whom to appear? - William H. Phelan Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:47:25 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/in-the-beginning.html#comment-4169 because, God gave you an intelligent mind that must wonder about things like that, and even if you do not, you are called to preach the Gospel to your fellow men who do wonder about things like that. - Richard A Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:25:46 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/in-the-beginning.html#comment-4167 I hardly think beginning of the universe discussions are futile. Evolution and the success science has had explaining the mysteries of the universe leave many modern believers unsure about the place of faith in the world. The point of this article is that faith still answers questions that science cannot, and that we modern believers should not be shaken by new scientific theories. I don't think an affirmation of the value of faith is irrelevant. - Michael Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:18:46 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/in-the-beginning.html#comment-4166 One thought about the "singularity" that I've never heard broached: Time, Einstein taught, slows in proportion to the weight/density of an object--say, a planet. The initial singularity had a nearly infinite density, and so whatever "time" was in that initial condition, it would hardly be distinguishable from a complete cessation of time--a kind of eternity. It would be pointless to ask "for how long" the singularity "was there" before expanding. This would still require a Creator. - George Sim Johnston Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:18:10 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/in-the-beginning.html#comment-4165 Though it only skirts the topic, I just wanted to say that since first hearing about it, I have been drawn to the idea of an infinite multiverse. I think some physicists like it because it lessens the funny feeling that there is a need for a creator in the single big bang theory. Coming from the other end, I feel that an infinite creator would create an infinite creation. God and this universe are so out of proportion. Why stop until you have created every possible good? - Tom Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:57:37 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/in-the-beginning.html#comment-4163 I find these discussions akin to figuring out how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. Fascinating to speculate, but hopelessly futile. Even if there were "absolutely nothing," as Phelan mentions, what that does that mean? If as Lucretius thought, the universe were filled with atoms and the void, then would there just be "void." Oh, the word games one can play in the wonderful world of metaphysics. Why not accept the Bible's stunningly simple opening explanation and be done with it? - Joseph Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:36:11 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/in-the-beginning.html#comment-4164 What a wonderful essay, and what a wonderful and important point of departure for dialogue between Christians, Muslims, and Jews...It highlights our total moment-to-moment dependence on God for our very existence...Thank you, Mr. Carroll. - John McCarthy Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:13:42 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/in-the-beginning.html#comment-4162 "If God were not causing all that is to exist, as it exists, there would be absolutely nothing." Of all the lines in this excellent piece, this is the one I find most relevant. The Gospels promise the world will end as it does for each and every one of us when we pass from it. That is why some of us practice traditional, prayerful Catholicism every day to anticipate being judged by the Savior of this world Who also created the next ones, Heaven or Hell. - William H. Phelan Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:21:33 +0100