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I received a question regarding the expanse of the universe and about galaxies moving away from each other. Here is the question:

Why are the galaxies moving away from each other ? What does the Bible have to say about this ? Thank you

-Steven

Thank you for your question Steven. First, just let me point out that I never claim to be a scientist or astronomer. While I do occasionally reference science on this blog, this is a “religion blog,” and not a “science blog.”

I hope the title of the blog hasn’t somehow confused you, as it is a little ambiguous and I can see how some could mistake this for a strictly scientific blog (relax, I am just joking with you). But seriously, thanks so much for your question, and it is interesting to consider.

Why Are the Galaxies Moving Away From Each Other?

Some scientific evidence suggests most galaxies are moving away from each other. Notice I said “most,” because sometimes galaxies actually collide (and the only collisions I know about are when objects are racing towards  each other, not away). These collisions are due to the gravitational attraction between two proximal galaxies.

So why are some galaxies moving away from each other? The most obvious explanation is that the universe itself is expanding. Since the universe is expanding, it makes sense that the objects within an expanding universe may expand with it. Since galaxies are embedded in the fabric of the universe, they too tend to move in motions of general expansion (moving away from each other). Energy, gravity, and all of these factors come into play with the rate of expansion, potential for collisions, and so forth.

What Does the Bible Say About an Expanding Universe & Galaxies Moving Away From Each Other?

The bible is no science book. It is concerned with “why” we are here, and not so much the “how” processes involved. That is why it is great we have science. Science explains the “how” and God explains the “why.” That being said, the bible does not attempt to make strict scientific verses regarding scientific principles. You won’t find a verse that says, “Thou sayist the Lord: The universe is expanding at X rate and this is a scientific truth you must understand.”

Even so, the bible does actually have several verses which indicate an expansion and expanding universe. This is fascinating because for a long time scientists believe the universe was static (and uncreated). Scientists now believe that not only is the universe expanding, but it had a fundamental creation point (where the laws of physics would have broken down into a singularity).

What are some scriptures that indicate there is an “expanse” of the universe? Here are some:

1. Genesis 1:6-7:   And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.

This passage indicates a firmament (or expanse). This “expanse” is what we know of as the universe itself (which is also called heaven, space, etc.).

Notice that God doesn’t say for this expanse to be fixed or finite. He simply calls for an expanse, and continues to create other things. Below is another verse by Isaiah:

he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof [are] as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:
- Isaiah 40:22

This verse in Isaiah shows again God actually spreading something out. It says he “stretcheth out the heavens.” Heaven in this context is talking of space and the expanse of the universe. Not the spiritual realm where God is attributed to dwell. It is interesting how he not only says that God “spreadeth” out the heavens, but he also uses the imagery of a tent (or curtain). Even today, scientists continue to use similar examples such as an expanding balloon.

Here is another verse by Job:

Hast thou with him spread out the sky, [which is] strong, [and] as a molten looking glass?
Job 37:18

Again, we continue to see this expression (in both literal and poetic books of the Bible) which seem to indicate an expansion, and an expanding or “spreading out” of the universe.

Again, this is repeated by Jeremiah:

He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.
Jeremiah 10:12

So we can see several verses by several of the biblical prophets and writers that God indeed has created an expanding universe. Again, the word “heaven, sky, expanse, and so forth are all talking of the area we now call space (or the universe).

Why Would God Create An Expanding Universe?

So why would God bother creating an expanding universe as opposed to a static universe? That is for God to know, and for us to only speculate.

Many astronomers and scientists have commented that if indeed the universe was static, the gravitational pull among the galaxies could be rather nasty, and the most likely outcome would be eventual collapse (among other things).

So while we can speculate as to why the universe is expanding, we should be happy it is, and place our trust in God’s wisdom.

Thanks again for the question!

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People seem to really be fascinated with Adam & Eve. It seems like I get quite a few questions regarding them. This is great, because I too like to think about the story, speculate on many things that took place in Genesis, and more.

I recently watched a few programs on Netflix.com about Adam & Eve. I tend to enjoy those History Channel & other networks documentaries & commentary on biblical topics.

Anyways, I have yet another question regarding Adam & Eve. Here is the question below:

If God protects you from sin then why did he not protect Adam from temptation of that apple?

Why Did God Not Prevent Adam from Temptation of Eating the Apple?

First of all, thank you very much for your question. I always appreciate people asking any questions that I may be able to offer insight or a new perspective on, and Adam & Eve do present a very intriguing story to consider.

Your question seems to be similar to other posts I have written. I have a post here & here where I discuss some things about Adam & Eve, and it seems I have a few more as well (you may want to search the archives). But nonetheless, I will still share some of my views regarding this event.

To answer your question, the bible doesn’t actually say it was an apple, although many people call it that (and even I sometimes accidentally type or say apple, and what I mean is “forbidden fruit, or the fruit of the tree of knowledge of Good & Evil).” So I want to make sure you are aware that it wasn’t an apple per se. It just says forbidden fruit, or fruit of the tree of knowledge of good & evil.

Secondly, you say this at the beginning of your sentence, “If God protects you from sin..”. First, God doesn’t prevent us from sin at all, as that is always our choice. I am not aware of any bible verse (off the top of my head), where God promises that we won’t sin (except in the future in heaven/new earth), and he will prevent us from committing a sin. Nowhere could I find that after a quick search of an online bible.

The only verses I could find that are similar is that God promises things if we don’t sin, Jesus taught us to pray for God to deliver us from temptation of sin, and God will never provide more temptation than we can handle, and that God will forgive our sins if we repent, etc.

In general, we can be affected by 2 types of sin: The sins we commit, and the sins others commit that affect us (i.e. a person cheating with our spouse or murdering us). So we can only be affected by a sin that we do, or a sin someone does to us. God only judges us based on sins we do, not that which others do to us. Also, God does not judge us based on temptation, only if we sin & give into that temptation are we judged. The bible says Jesus was tempted in every way, yet had no sin in him. Temptation is not a sin, giving in to temptation (a desire to do something) can be a sin.

So the first part of your question I am already a little confused on. Again, God makes no promise that he will neverbe testing us, he never says he guards us magically from all sins, etc. Again, sinning always comes from our own mind, so he would have to completely take away our freedom of choice to prevent us from sinning.

Sin always comes from the mind (or as the bible puts it, “the heart”). We cannot commit a sin physically, unless we first commit a sin mentally. For example, if we are going to commit adultery, we don’t exactly slip, fall and have sex with someone. We mentally make a decision to do it, and then we physically carry out our agenda. So sin originates in the mind (or heart..not meaning the blood pumping organ, but meaning our “spirit or mind”). When Eve & Adam ate the fruit, they consciously knew what they were doing.

So again, God makes no promise to force us not to sin, or to protect us from choosing our own free will. We always have a choice to do things, even in the face of temptation. We may feel tempted to do something, but we always have a choice to do it or not.

Remember, the serpent only deceived Adam & Eve. He didn’t force the fruit down their mouths. We are deceived, tricked, tempted, etc. every single day. It is our responsibility to avoid this temptation & choose to not sin.

God never promises not to test us, and he does so quite often in fact (Isaac & Abraham, etc.).

Did Adam & Eve Have a Choice? Why Would God Put a Tree There?

It is interesting to speculate, but the bible does not tell us why God place a tree in the garden. We can speculate that perhaps God wanted to provide a single temptation to see if Adam & Eve would obey (or perhaps how long they would obey). Or perhaps God used the tree for some horticultural purpose. Or perhaps there is some other unknown reason.

But in any event, it was there, and there are various logical reasons why God may have placed it there. After all, can you ever know light if you have never been exposed to darkness? Can you ever know heat, if you have never experienced cold? Can you ever truly know obedience, unless someone is given a chance to disobey? Just some interesting things to think about!

If God didn’t give them a chance to disobey, how would he know if they were truly obedient. He must have given them a command, and then given them a choice of their own free will to choose to obey or disobey God’s command. As the story goes, they chose disobedience. How long were they in the garden before they ate the fruit? The bible does not tell us.

Would You Want a Robot for a Spouse or Child?

How fun would it really be if our loved ones were nothing but robots programmed to do exactly what we said to do? Seriously, think about it! Imagine if they did everything you said, and had absolutely no choice in the matter, and could not interact with you on a level like humans can. What if you just programmed them to automatically love you. That would be quite boring, wouldn’t it?

Part of the fascination or pleasure that comes out of a relationship, is knowing the fact that neither of you “have to be in it”, but you still choose to do so anyways. My wife doesn’t have to choose to be with me, but yet she does, and that makes me love her even more. She doesn’t have to stay with me, she didn’t have to marry me, but she loved me & wanted to. That means more to me than any programmed robot.

Perhaps in this same way, God wanted to provide Adam & Eve a free will, a free mind, to do what they pleased. They could reject God, and it would have consequences. Or they could choose to follow him and perhaps that pleased him (and it does please God when we obey him).

But Why Did God Punish Adam & Eve So Severely for Disobeying? Why Would He Create Adam if He Was Going to Die?

This too is an interesting argument I often hear regarding Adam & Eve. First of all, some try to say that God is evil for creating Adam & Even if he knew they would sin & be punished. This is a flat out joke of an argument for 3 reasons.

First, Adam & Eve’s life isn’t over. While they died physically, they have not died spiritually. It is very likely that they will be granted eternal life like the rest of us who follow God’s will. Just because they committed a sin, doesn’t mean they didn’t repent (which the bible seems to suggest they may have done).  So it isn’t exactly evil of God when you consider they may exist for eternity & have paradise once again, does it?

Secondly, humans are much more devious than God in this situation. How so? Well, do you know anyone with kids. If you answered “yes” then they are much more evil than God, and in fact your parents are much more evil than God. For they knew good & well before they had a kid that it would die. How evil of them! But they did it anyways. The sad part is that they have no power to resurrect them, yet God does. So any human that has a child is 1,000 times more evil than God, because they know good & well their kid will die, and they can do nothing to stop it.So why do people still have kids? Companionship. Love. We can assume God also had good reason to create, he is a creator, that is what he does.

Third of all, while the bible does suggest God is “all-knowing” that does not imply that he always uses this ability. He may have chosen to not see the future events of what Adam & Eve would do.

When you buy a book or watch a DVD, you too have the power to “know the future of it.” But do you read it at the beginning, or always flip it to the end & watch it backwards? You usually watch or read it from beginning to end, right? Perhaps God, in this same way, chooses to use his “all-knowing” ability selectively. He may have chosen to not know how or when or if Adam & Eve would disobey.

Conclusion: Why God Allowed Adam & Eve to Be Tempted

I hope I have provided ample logic & reasoning to show that there are several possible reasons why God placed the tree in the Garden, allowed them to be tempted, etc. We humans do similar things all the time. If we can do it, why not God? He is more powerful, has the ability to grant eternal life, and is the all-powerful being that is responsible for mine & your life even existing.

It is a great question, by the way, and I think a lot of people get fascinated with Adam & Eve. They ask a lot of questions about why this or that happened. We an only speculate on things which the bible does not clearly show us.

Thanks so much, & God Bless!

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Posted under Adam & Eve, Ask a Question