1. The "Big Bang"

It has been known for about 70 years, that the galaxies of the universe are moving apart and away from each other, in similar fashion to raisins moving apart and away from each other in an expanding lump of dough. In 1929, astronomer Edwin Hubble's measurements on more than 40 galaxies established that the galaxies of the universe are indeed receding away from each other at several hundred miles per second, as an explosion would propel exploded pieces from each other. That explosion-event is now popularly called the "Big Bang," and there is left-over heat (or "background radiation") throughout the universe which (along with much other evidence) leaves little doubt that this hot explosive event occurred.

In addition, recent research, such as data from the "BOOMERANG experiment" (short for "Balloon Observations of Millimetric Extragalactic Radiation and Geophysics") have determined that the geometry of the universe is "flat," and one of the implications of a "flat universe," is that it will evidently expand forever, and it will eventually even speed up in its expansion rate. This "speed-up" in expansion rate has also experimentally been confirmed. The expansion does not reverse and bring it all together into a "Big Crunch," because there's not enough gravity in the mass of the universe to stop the expansion.

Astrophysicists such as Stephen Hawking determined that the evident starting point just before the Big Bang was something called a "singularity," which is: all the cosmos's potential mass (matter), energy, and dimensions (and time) reduced down to an infinitely small point of zero volume. ---So, matter, 3-dimensional space, and time virtually did not exist before the Big Bang.

The expanding universe is an important discovery, because if we "reverse the film" of that expansion, then we arrive back at a starting-point for its beginning ...and if there is a beginning, there must logically be a "beginner" to initiate the Big Bang. In light of this, the thoughts of many people go to the first verse of the Bible, which states, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Gen. 1:1). ---This powerful evidence contradicts worldviews and religions that posit an eternally existing universe, or views (such as Hinduism, Buddhism, & New Age philosophies) which posit the idea of cosmic "reincarnation" with an oscillating universe that eternally expands and contracts; ---rather, ---the Big Bang would confirm the view that "the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible" - Hebrews 11:3. In addition, ---unlike any other supposedly "holy writings"--- the Bible alone says that there was a "beginning of time" (2Tim. 1:9 & Titus 1:2), ---and God was causing effects before that beginning (John 17:5 & Colos. 1:16-17).

The Balanced Bang: In order for life to be possible in the universe, the explosive power of the Big Bang needed to be extremely closely matched to the amount of mass and balanced with the force of gravity. If the bang was slightly too weak, the expanding matter would have collapsed back in on itself before any planets suitable for life had a chance to form, ---but if the bang was slightly too strong, the resultant matter would have been only gas that was so diffuse and expanding so fast, that no stars or planets could have formed at all.

Science writer Gregg Easterbrook explains the required explosive power-balance of the Big Bang, saying that, "Researchers have calculated that, if the ratio of matter and energy to the volume of space ...had not been within about one-quadrillionth of one percent of ideal at the moment of the Big Bang, the incipient universe would have collapsed back on itself or suffered runaway relativity effects" (My emphasis.) (ref. G.Easterbrook, "Science Sees the Light", The New Republic, Oct.12, 1998, p.26).

---Putting it another way, in terms of the expansion rate of the universe as a result of the Big Bang: "What's even more amazing is how delicately balanced that expansion rate must be for life to exist. It cannot differ by more than one part in 10⁵⁵ from the actual rate." (My emphasis.) (Ref: H.Ross, 1995, as cited above, p.116). (Note: 10⁵⁵ is the number 1 with 55 zeros after it ---and 10⁵⁵ is about the number of atoms that make up planet earth).

THE PROBABILITY: The chances we can conservatively assign to this: It was about one chance out of 10²⁰ that the force of the Big Bang could have randomly been properly balanced with the mass & gravity of the universe, in order for stars and planets to form, so that life could exist here in our cosmos.

Next --- Several of the following items deal with strengths of the four (known) basic forces of physics in the material universe, which hold everything together. Those four basic forces are: the force of gravity, the strong nuclear force, the weak nuclear force, and the electromagnetic force. The strengths of these four forces are extremely finely tuned and balanced with each other and with the amount of matter in the universe, which makes life possible in the present cosmos. ---What is the chance that such fine-tuning happened by chance? --- (Note: If a scientist can improve the accuracy in the numbers used for probabilities here, such information would be appreciated.)

2. The Force of Gravity

It is now known that if the force of gravity were any weaker, stars would not have compacted tight enough together so that nuclear fusion would occur. Fusion is necessary to produce the heavier elements upon which life depends (such as carbon, nitrogen and oxygen) ---and without fusion, there would only be hydrogen and helium. On the other hand, if gravity were any stronger, stars would burn so hot that they would burn up in about one year or so (ref. G. Easterbrook, cited, p.26). As it is, the gravitational force is so finely tuned, that the average star is capable of burning in a stable fashion for about 80 billion years (ref. H. Ross, cited, p.60).

THE PROBABILITY: Although the force of gravity could obviously have attained a large number of wrong magnitude-ranges, we can conservatively say that it was about one chance out of 1000 (or 1 out of 10^3) that the force of gravity might have randomly attained such an advantageous strength for the making of life-necessary elements in the stars.

3. The Strong Nuclear Force

---This is the force which binds the protons and neutrons together in atomic nuclei. If the strong nuclear force were too weak, protons and neutrons would not stick together, and the only element possible in the universe, would be hydrogen (with a lone proton in its nucleus). However, if the strong nuclear force were too strong, the protons and neutrons would tend to stick together so much that there would basically only be heavy elements, but no hydrogen ---and if this were the case, then life would also not be possible, because hydrogen is a key element in water and in life-chemistry.

THE PROBABILITY: If the strong nuclear force were only 2% weaker or 0.3% stronger than it in fact is, then life would be impossible. This correct range (of 2.3%) would indicate about 43 incorrect ranges of the same size that would destroy the possibility of life, ---therefore, we can conservatively say that it was about one chance out of 10 that the strong nuclear force might have randomly possessed the correct strength to make life possible in our cosmos.

4. The Weak Nuclear Force

The weak nuclear force is what controls the rates at which radioactive elements decay. If this force were slightly stronger, the matter would decay into the heavy elements in a relatively short time. However, if it were significantly weaker, all matter would almost totally exist in the form of the lightest elements, especially hydrogen and helium ---there would be (for example) virtually no oxygen, carbon or nitrogen, which are essential for life.

In addition, although heavier elements necessary for life are formed inside giant stars, those elements can only escape the cores of those stars when they explode in supernova explosions, however, such supernova explosions can only occur because the weak nuclear force is exactly the right value. As Professor of astronomy, Paul Davies, describes this situation: "If the weak interaction were much weaker, the neutrinos would not be able to exert enough pressure on the outer envelope of the star to cause the supernova explosion. On the other hand, if it were much stronger, the neutrinos would be trapped inside the core, and rendered impotent" (My emphasis.) (ref. P.C.W. Davies, The Accidental Universe, London, 1982, p.68.)

THE PROBABILITY: Considering the fine-tuning of the weak nuclear force for both the rate of radioactive decay as well as the precise value required to allow supernova explosions, it seems conservative to say that it was one chance out of 100 that the weak nuclear force was at the right strength to permit these processes so that life would be possible.

5. The Electromagnetic Force

If the electromagnetic force (exerted by electrons) were somewhat stronger, electrons would adhere to atoms so tightly that atoms would not share their electrons with each other ---and the sharing of electrons between atoms is what makes chemical bonding possible so that atoms can combine into molecules (e.g., water) so that life can exist. However, if the electromagnetic force were somewhat weaker, then atoms would not hang onto electrons enough to cause any bonding between atoms, and thus, compounds would never hold together. In addition, this fine-tuning of the electromagnetic force must be even more stringent if more and more elements are to be able to bond together into many different types of molecules.

THE PROBABILITY: Considering the range of electromagnetic force that might have occurred, it is reasonable to say that the probability of the electromagnetic force being balanced at the right level for many thousands of compounds to function for the making of chemical compounds necessary for life, is one chance out of 100.

6. The Ratio of the Electromagnetic Force to the Gravitational Force

It has been established that if the ratio of the electromagnetic force were barely stronger relative to the gravitational force by just one part in 10⁴⁰, then only smaller stars would form. On the other hand, if the ratio of the electromagnetic force were weaker compared to the gravitational force by a mere one part in 10⁴⁰, then only larger stars would form. The problem is, that both types of stars are necessary for life to be possible, because the larger stars is the place where life-essential elements are produced by thermonuclear fusion, ---and the smaller stars (like our sun) are necessary because only such stars burn long enough, and in a stable manner, to support life near to them. (ref. H.Ross, cited, p.117).

In a similar vein, cosmologist Paul Davies explains: "If gravity were very slightly weaker, or electromagnetism very slightly stronger, (or the electron slightly less massive relative to the proton), all stars would be red dwarfs. A correspondingly tiny change in the other way, and they would all be blue giants" (His italics; my underline). (Ref. P. Davies, cited above, '82, p.73). ---The problem with red dwarfs and blue giants, is that the color spectrum given off by either color of star cannot sustain life because the photosynthetic reaction would be inadequate. (ref. H. Ross, cited, p.139).

THE PROBABILITY: As required for photosynthesis, ---since the ratio of the electromagnetic force cannot vary from the gravitational force by any more than (plus or minus) one part in 10⁴⁰, it would be conservative to say that the probability of achieving the required ratio between these two forces, would be one chance out of 10³⁰. ---(Remember: 10⁴⁰ is the number 1 followed by 40 zeros ; 10³⁰ is the number 1 followed by 30 zeros, and it is ten billion times smaller than 10⁴⁰.)

7. The Ground State Energies of Carbon, Oxygen, Helium & Beryllium

In the years around 1980, Fred Hoyle discovered that the ground state energies of carbon, oxygen, helium and beryllium had to be within 4% of each other, or else the universe would not have enough carbon or oxygen for life to exist. (Ref. Hoyle, "The Universe: Past and Present Reflection", Annual Reviews of Astronomy... 20, '82, p.16). Realizing the unlikelihood of this situation just happening by itself, Hoyle (who was an anti-theist), declared that for all four of those life-essential elements to randomly hit within 4% of the same "bulls-eye", was so unlikely that it seemed like "a superintellect has monkeyed with physics, as well as with chemistry and biology" (Ref. Hoyle, last citation, p.16).

THE PROBABILITY: For a single one of those elements to randomly "hit the bulls-eye" to within 4% accuracy of the target energy level, could be conservatively said to be one chance out of 10. ---However, to have the second element hit the same bulls-eye, is also one out of 10, ---and the chance that the two elements both hit it together, is the product of those probabilities (1 out of 10 times 1 out of 10), ---OR--- one chance out of 100.

When we follow through for all four elements, using the same procedure of calculating the probability, the final result is: The chance that the ground state energies of all four elements would randomly hit the same energy level required (allowing life to exist), is one chance out of 10,000. ---(...since 1 chance out of 10x10x10x10 = 1 chance out of 10,000).

8. The Number of Electrons Compared to Protons

Astronomer Hugh Ross explains that the universe must have a fine balance of electrons (with a negative charge) as compared to protons (with a positive charge), and this balance must be very precise. He states: "Unless the number of electrons is equivalent to the number of protons to an accuracy of one part in 10^37, or better, electromagnetic forces in the universe would have so overcome gravitational forces that galaxies, stars, and planets never would have formed" (My emphasis) (Ref. H.Ross, as cited, p.115). --This is a minimum accuracy for the required balance of electrons compared to protons in the universe.

This would mean that if the Big Bang produced a billion (or 10^9) protons for every billion-and-one electrons, then no galaxies (etc) would have formed (and thus, no life either). The balance must be much better. --- Going further: If a trillion (10^12) protons were produced for every trillion-and-one electrons, there would be no galaxies (etc) or life. The balance must be much better. --- And further: If a quadrillion (10^15) protons were produced for every quadrillion-and-one electrons, there would be no galaxies (etc) or life. --- This same sort of tiny un-balance would make the formation of galaxies or life impossible, by merely adding one extra electron to a perfectly balanced number of both particles... even if the number 10^36 is reached for both particles. (10^36 is the number 1 with 36 zeros after it.) Merely adding one particle of either type would produce enough imbalance to render the existence of life impossible.

THE PROBABILITY: Because of the extremely fine balance required, it would be safe to say that in order for life to be possible, the probability that the necessary balance between protons and electrons was achieved by a random result of the Big Bang, would be one chance out of 10^30.

Summary of The Probabilities

As explained in the article "A Mathematical Proof of Intelligent Design in Nature," if the probability of something happening by random processes is vanishingly small enough, such a random chance explanation for that event's occurrence is virtually ruled out as a reasonable possibility. In that same article, it was also explained that French mathematician Emile Borel set the probability of 1 chance out of 10^50 as having a statistical chance of zero that it could happen.

Calculating Probabilities Together

In order to calculate the chance that two probabilities could happen together, we must multiply the two probabilites together. For example, the chance of flipping a two-sided coin so that we get "heads," is one chance out of 2 ---and the chance of flipping two heads in a row, is the product of the two flips, or one out of 2 times 2, --or-- one chance out of 4.

To calculate the probability that our first two attributes of the universe could both occur at random so that life could exist, we must multiply them together. (Those first two attributes were: #1: that the force of the Big Bang could have randomly been properly balanced with the mass & gravity of the universe ; and #2: that the force of gravity might have randomly attained such an advantageous strength for the making of life-necessary elements in the stars).
---The chance that the first attribute could have happened randomly, was one chance out of 10²⁰, and the chance for the second attribute's random occurrence, was one chance out of 10³. Thus, by multiplying the two, we see that the chance that both could occur randomly together, is one chance out of 10²³.

The chance of the #3 attribute happening at random, was 1 chance out of 10, therefore, when we multiply to get the chance that the first three attributes could all happen together at random, we get one chance out of 10²⁴.

The chance of #4 happening was 1 out of 100. Thus, the chance of the first four happening together is 1 out of 10²⁶.

The chance of #5 was also 1 out of 100. So, the chance of the first five all happening is 1 out of 10²⁸.

The chance of #6 was 1 out of 10³⁰. So, the chance of the first six all happening is 1 out of 10⁵⁸.

The chance of #7 was 1 out of 10⁴. So, the chance of the first seven all happening is 1 out of 10⁶².

The chance of #8 was 1 out of 10³⁰. So, the chance of all eight attributes randomly happening together in the cosmos, thus permitting life to exist, is 1 chance out of 10⁹².

Analysis

So, how remote is 1 chance out of 10⁹²?

---Well, the known cosmos is made up of about 10⁸⁴ sub-atomic particles, so, 10⁹² is about the number of sub-atomic particles contained in 100,000 universes the size of our cosmos. ---Thus, this chance of the properties of our present cosmos happening at random, would be equivalent to marking a single sub-atomic particle in 100,000 universes, mixing it in thoroughly, and then successfully finding that marked particle by one random selection.

In light of this vanishingly small probability, we can confidently say that the attributes of the cosmos (described above), which make it possible for life to exist, did not occur together as a random chance combination of events.

If it was not a chance occurrence, then the other rational and logical option is that purposeful intentionality caused the cosmos to originate as it did, and to have the attributes that it does, so that life may exist.

In a similar sort of study, Hugh Ross has put together a list of factors to give an estimate of the Probability for a Life Support Body arising in the universe without the purposeful work of an intelligent designer.

Identity of The Designer

In light of the above considerations, we therefore have a virtual "proof" that the cosmos was intentionally designed by the purposeful work of a designer, however, the specific identity of the designer does not seem to be (as yet) apparent from an investigation of only nature. It does not even appear that we can necessarily conclude that the designer is an omnipotent being, since all of the designed things we might consider are finite things, for which a finite designer could be adequate (...however, it would seem that an almost unfathomably powerful and intelligent designer would be necessary, due to the magnitude of the universe, and the complexity of designed things).

---Still, if you will read further in this website, you may agree that there is an excellent body of evidence which indicates that the Bible is a supernaturally produced piece of literature, the true Word of God. ...and the Bible claims to identify the living God (and Jesus Christ) who did the intelligent designing of all things. If you want to read about such evidence concerning the Bible, click on this link: "Prophecy Proves the Bible's Authority."

---Concerning Jesus Christ, the Bible says: "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made" (John 1:3). Similarly, it says: "For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible" (Colossians 1:16).

YOU, dear reader are loved by God, and that's why Jesus Christ came!