The Big Bang theory, which has been accepted by the great majority of physicists and astronomers based on accumulating evidence, indicates that the universe had a definite beginning. However, some scientific materialists maintain that the universe was self-generated from some primal force or energy. But force or energy is something. How did such a force or energy come into existence? (See also Can Something Come From Nothing?)
One alternative idea put forth by some physicists is that of a multiverse---the idea that there are many universes, perhaps even having different physical laws. However, the multiverse is only theoretical and cannot be demonstrated. Physicist and theologian, John Polkinghorne states,
"Naturalism counters with the idea of a multiverse, which is really a recklessly enlarged naturalism designed to up the magnitude of randomness. Our universe would then be the one where fortuitously carbon-based life is possible---a winning ticket in a multi-cosmic lottery."1
In other words, the multiverse is an attempt to evade the idea that the universe had a beginning and a non-contingent cause. But the question remains, where did the stuff of the universe (or universes) come from? The multiverse theory still leaves us with an infinite regress of causes. So materialists are caught between two options: (1) matter, force, or energy popped into existence from nothing or (2) matter, force, or energy have existed eternally. The first option is absurd and the second presupposes an eternal materialism in contrast to theists who believe in an eternal spirit. Both are held by faith.
The late Christian philosopher and apologist, Ravi Zacharias states,
"The silence from atheistic science on why there is something rather than nothing is deafening."
"Atheistic philosopher, Bertrand Russell said that the universe is 'just there'. But that clearly is not a scientific explanation."2
Of course, Christians along with Jews and Muslims have always held to the proposition that the universe is the creation of a purposeful, non-contingent, Super-intellect.
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1 John Polkinghorn in Science and the Trinity, (Yale University Press: New Haven 2004.)
2Ravi Zacharias, The End of Reason: A Response to the New Atheists, (Zondervan, 2008.)