Exploring The Big Bang Theory

The History of the Big Bang Theory

Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity, published in 1916, suggested that the universe had not always existed. But he had one difficulty; his equations showed the universe should be expanding. Because physicists at the time believed that the universe was static or in steady state, neither expanding nor contracting, Einstein introduced a term called the “cosmological constant” into his equations in order to absorb the expansion. Then the works of Georges Lemaître and Edwin Hubble in the 1920s demonstrated that the universe was expanding and that Einstein’s cosmological constant was a mistake. This left a lot of astrophysicists very unhappy. Many felt that Lemaître, a Roman Catholic priest, was trying to inject religion into physics by suggesting that the universe had a beginning.

In the late 1920’s, however, the astronomer Edwin Hubble found evidence that distant galaxies were receding away from Earth at a rate proportional to their distance from us, as if the universe were situated on an expanding balloon. When Einstein viewed Hubble’s photographs in 1930, he gave up for all time the idea of a static universe and declared the “cosmological constant”

the biggest blunder he had ever made. Thus was born the Big Bang Theory, which states that the universe had its origins in a fiery explosion billions of years ago.

The Big Bang Theory Defined

Cosmologists (scientists who study the origin of the universe) believe the universe began as an infinitely dense, hot fireball. They call the single point that contained all the matter in the universe a singularity. Time began at the moment this fireball exploded, stretching space as it expanded rapidly. The universe, at first no bigger than the size of a proton, expanded within a microsecond to the size of a basketball. Gravity came into being, and subatomic particles flooded the universe, slamming into one another, forming protons and neutrons (elementary particles that form atoms). Three minutes after the big bang, the temperature of the universe had cooled to 500,000,000°F (277,777,760°C). Protons and neutrons began to combine to form the nuclei of the simple chemical elements hydrogen, helium, and lithium.

The Scientific Evidence

In 1964 evidence of cosmic background radiation was discovered and the big bang theory received a wide acceptance from scientists, who believed that this Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR) was given off when the big bang occurred. This radiation appears as a weak hiss of radio noise coming from all directions in space. It is, in a sense, the oldest light in the universe. When astronomers measured this CMBR, they found its temperature to be just under −450°F (−270°C). This was the correct temperature if the universe had expanded and cooled since the big bang.

In 1980, the American astronomer Alan Guth proposed an extra idea to the big bang theory called the inflationary theory. It suggested that at first the universe expanded at a much faster rate than it does now. This concept of accelerated expansion allows for the formation of the stars and planets that we see in the universe today. Guth’s inflationary theory was supported in April 1992, when NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) announced that its Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) satellite had discovered some fluctuations. COBE looked about 13 billion light-years into space (hence, 13 billion years into the past) and detected tiny temperature fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background. Scientists regard these fluctuations as proof that gravitational disturbances existed in the early universe, which allowed matter to clump together to form large stellar bodies such as galaxies and planets.

In late 2000, scientists added further supporting evidence to the validity of the big bang theory when they announced that they had analyzed light from a quasar that was absorbed by a distant cloud of gas dust billions of years ago. At that time, the universe would have been about one-sixth of its present age. Based on their findings, the scientists estimated that the background temperature at that point was about −443°F (−264°C), a temperature mark that agrees with the prediction of the big bang theory.

Problems with the Big Bang Scenario

The major problem with the Big Bang Theory is that it cannot give the answer to the beginning of the universe, rather it explains the process that led to its formation. It speaks more about the effect than the cause. Remember that the Big Bang wasn’t a sudden explosion of energy in some empty part of space at some distant moment in time. According to the theory, all space, time and energy came into existence together in that “bang.” Before the Big Bang, there was no time. There was no space. Then, suddenly, an exceedingly dense, incredibly hot, infinitesimal ball of something – everything – appeared somewhere, somehow for reasons unknown and began to expand rapidly with our whole world inside of it. It does not solve the central problems of the origin of time and the need for infinite energy to cause the Big Bang.

The big bang scenario speculates that the marvellously ordered universe randomly resulted from a gigantic explosion. Never in the history of human experience has a chaotic explosion been observed producing an intricate order that operates purposefully. An explosion in a print shop does not produce an encyclopaedia. A tornado sweeping through a junkyard does not assemble a Boeing 747. No building contractor dumps his materials in a yard, attaches sticks of dynamite, and then waits for a completed home from the resulting explosion. The idea is absurd. Evolutionist Donald Page was correct when he wrote: “There is no mechanism known as yet that would allow the universe to begin in an arbitrary state and then evolve to its present highly ordered state.” The Big Bang theory in itself can’t prove the beginning of the universe. A supernatural force beyond the laws of physics is needed for it.

Who Banged the Big Bang?

Atheist-turned-agnostic astronomer Fred Hoyle, who coined the term “Big Bang,” famously stated, “A common sense interpretation of the facts suggests that a superintellect has monkeyed with physics.”  As Hoyle saw it, the Big Bang was not a chaotic explosion, but rather a very highly ordered event, one that could not have occurred by random chance. The question of what caused the Big Bang became more pressing with the publication in the late 1960’s of the Space-Time Theorem, by cosmologists Stephen Hawking, Roger Penrose, and George Ellis. This theorem uses general relativity to prove that matter, energy, space, and time all had their origins in a singularity (a geometric point of zero size). If space and time had a beginning, then something that caused the Big Bang must be beyond space and time.

This “something” that transcended space and time was a “Someone” — the transcendent God revealed in the Bible. Those who have studied the Bible know that there was a creation event; that God created something (in fact, everything) from nothing. But was there actually a “big bang”? Is there any biblical evidence of such an occurrence? The Psalmist wrote, “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm” (Psalm 33:6-9). It is by the Word of the Lord that creation took place. Again we read, “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. In him was life.” (John 1:1-4).

The Scriptures are clear that when God speaks, things happen. All the stars, planets, galaxies, as well as all the life on earth came to be, because God spoke the word and it came into existence. Just what does the voice of the Lord sound like? The Scriptures describe a most awesome sound coming forth from the mouth of God. “Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning. The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded” (Psalm 18:12-13). No one was there to hear the sound at the moment of creation but the cosmic microwave background radiation still resounds with the radiant energy of an explosion from long ago. The Word of God was given and the universe sprang into existence at His command. It was a mighty big bang, indeed.

 

Written by Munnu Fenil

A Life Changing Invitation

The School of Evangelisation

I only went to the School of Evangelisation (SOE) because of pressure from a friend of mine. The very first time that he spoke to me about the SOE I thought to myself, why is this dude walking around with a bible as if he had the whole world in his hands? He was glowing; he looked so free and so happy. When he spoke, it was with conviction and he said that my life would change forever. I remember replying that I did not need my life changing, it was perfectly fine the way that it was! However as I thought about it, I realized that his words had touched me deeply and so I decided to go.

As SOE began, I really hated it. It felt as if they were teaching us how to become priests and nuns. I didn’t understand much of what was being said as I was from a Hindu background and it was all a bit overwhelming for me. I would go in to the sessions and literally watch the clock. I kept thinking this is silly, why is everyone praying like this. Why pray so hard, who is going to hear? It got to the point where I was in tears and I told one of the team members that I couldn’t stay and I was going home. However, after receiving some prayer I decided to stay.

The Power of Spiritual Sharing

On the third day of SOE, I went for a spiritual sharing session. I was amazed when the person I was talking to began telling me everything about myself as if he was receiving visions of my life. He talked a great deal about the Lord and what he had done for me and I felt so free after the session. It was as if I had been carrying a huge heavy rock that I had now got rid of. I realised then that God loves me dearly despite my sins. I had never felt anything like this before. One of the things my spiritual sharing elder kept saying was that Jesus has big plans for me, “he knew you while you were in your mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13) and he also said that the rosary I was carrying in my hand would very soon end up around my neck.

After my spiritual sharing session, I tried to pray and as I prayed I realized that I couldn’t stand up properly, I felt faint and weak. This continued for a while and then I started having uncontrollable shivers that were unbelievably strong and almost painful. I had to be taken out of the convention room because I was struggling so much and when the priest came to touch my head and bless me I moved away from his hands without realizing it.

They Put the Rosary around my neck

The priest and other team members were praying for me but it didn’t make much difference and if anything it seemed to be getting worse. Finally that evening the priest decided to pray over my rosary and he put it around my neck during the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. After a few minutes of the rosary being around my neck, I was fully recovered. My shivers, my pain, the weakness had all disappeared. I had run away from the Eucharist before but suddenly I started moving closer and closer to the Blessed Sacrament. I started praying and I found that I could praise the Lord with all my heart. I felt so free as if something that had been within me had finally left me. I was filled with the Holy Spirit. I remember the joy I had, others told me I was glowing. I knew my Lord Jesus Christ was within me.

A Vision of Jesus

As I prayed before the Blessed Sacrament I remember losing control of everything and falling over. As I fell I saw Jesus and in my vision I fell into his lap. As I tried to stand up again he said that it was all right, I didn’t have to get up but I could just lay there. It was a wonderful experience and I still have a great joy within me because Jesus showed himself to me. That moment was my big wake up call! Nineteen years flashed before my eyes and I thought this is it; this is how I will spend the rest of my life.

Ever since that day, my life has completely changed. I now feel that I am being showered with blessings and love and my life is filled with hope, joy and peace. Today as I write this I know that he is within me and I feel blessed to be a child of God. I fear no one or nothing but God because I know I have Jesus with me every step of the way. As I conclude my story, I thank you for reading it. I pray that you all fall in love or continue to be in love with our Lord Jesus Christ. I thank Jesus for letting me write this and Sehion Ministries for all their love and prayers.

 

Written by Aathira Cheeroth

September 2014 – Editorial

Do you know what a blueprint is? It is the photographic print of a building plan prepared by the architect. The greatest of all architects, who created everything seen and unseen, is God. And we are the crowning glory of his creation as St. Paul says “for we are God`s workmanship.” (Ephesians 2:10) We are the masterpiece of all that he created because he made humans in His own image and likeness (Genesis 1:26). This means that our lives are precious, divine and unique.

As God so magnificently designed us and endowed us with the power to know Him and allowed us to call him “father”, we are the most privileged and blessed of all creatures. God made everything with a purpose. As sons and daughters of the Creator we have been made for a reason and that is to live a fruitful and happy life in this world by enjoying the fruits of God’s creation and to return to his eternal kingdom of heavenly bliss after this earthly life.

The word of God is the blueprint for us to follow so that we can achieve what he has planned for us. In the first chapter of St. John’s Gospel we read “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God.” So the word of God means God himself. This word came down from heaven and became man as Jesus Christ. Through his birth, life, death and resurrection, Jesus opened the doors to heaven for us so that we could be saved. Jesus is our model, mentor, redeemer, lord and master. Our destinies are bound to him. The written form of the word of God is the Bible which contains the revelations that God made through the generations.

My dear young people, “the word of God should be engraved on your hearts.” (Deuteronomy 6:6) You should remember this because whatever is in your heart will be reflected on the outside. Our lives are to be moulded according to the word of God. That is our call and our goal in life. The word of God is our shield and protection against evil and helps us to overcome our human frailties. The Psalmist proclaims “I have laid up your word in my heart that I may not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11) The word of God is the most powerful antidote against sin. When it has a place in our hearts; it promises to help us to turn away from sin, and will lead us to greater purity of heart and life.

So my dear young friends be energized by the word of God. Let it inspire you at all times. Pray constantly, asking God to fill your hearts with a yearning to love him with all your might. I pray that the Spirit of God may fill you and your loved ones with a new fervour for the holy word of God in your life and that it will be your road map to peace, happiness and salvation.

 

Written by Fr Soji Olikkal

YOU CAN HELP US

A Message for Young People

Please can you pray for this ministry as we seek to spread the Gospel among young people both in this country and in various countries around the world. We have a small team praying for this work and we invite you to join in with this prayer. If you are willing to commit to pray regularly for the magazine please can you contact our prayer coordinator, Shibu on 07737 172449.

Also, can you pass on this magazine, when you have finished reading it, to someone else in your family, school or parish, but before you do perhaps you can show the following paragraph to your parents or other adults who may be able to help us.

Thank you. May God bless you.

A Message for Parents, Teachers and Adults

We hope that you might consider supporting Sehion Ministries (the parent Charity for the Second Saturday Conventions, the Schools of Evangelisation and the Kingdom Revelator Magazine). The charity was only set up a year ago and we have many calls on our funds. We hope to continue to produce the magazine free of charge to enable young people and others to pass it on to those who need to hear the word of God – but it depends on funds being made available. A few moments reflection will help you realise that to write, edit, print and deliver the Kingdom Revelator into young people’s hands costs money.

You can help. Please remember us in your prayers, but as St James says “faith without deeds is dead.”

You can support the work financially by direct credit to Sehion Ministries a/c no 81598007 at HSBC Bank sort code 40-11-07 Ref: Kingdom Revelator Appeal

If you prefer to send us a cheque, then please contact us on kfkmag@ gmail.com for details of where to send it. If your donation can be gift aided that makes it even more valuable, please let us know and we will send you a gift aid form for you to complete. Also if you would like to make a regular donation to help with this work we can send you a Standing Order Form for you to complete.

If you need extra copies of this magazine to distribute in your parish or school please contact us at kfkmag@gmail.com with your requirements.

Please help us to “Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.”

When God is in charge!

We climbed a mountain together

I climbed a mountain last week, with some of my sons. We had to drive for two hours to get there. And then it took about three hours of walking to get the top, which was about 1km above sea level. On the way down my knees caused me plenty of pain, while my sons scrambled down like mountain goats. It wasn’t my idea at all to climb the mountain at all. My eldest son had suggested doing the walk.

Parents should be inspired by the Lord

Everyone knows that a young person is supposed to obey their father and mother. We also know that many teenagers today find this unbearable. Think of a soap opera, drama, book or film with young characters in it – conflict with adults is almost inevitable. It seems that nothing could be worse than doing what your mum or dad tells you all the time. But did you know that parents are supposed to be responsive to their children? In Ephesians 5, St Paul says that parents are not supposed to drive their children to resentment. He also says that the correction and advice that parents give their children must be ‘inspired by the Lord’. As a father I can’t just do ‘whatever I want’. Reverence for Christ is to underpin the way that parents and children relate to each other.

Squabbling makes you miserable

What do you think life is about? Does getting your own way really make you happy? Have you ever wanted to get something that your brother or your sister had? Squabbles make you miserable very quickly. Or think of the last time that you spent ages craving for something, and then finally got your hands on it? What was life a few weeks later? If you think that happiness is found in getting your own way and in ordering life to your own convenience, then circumstances will make you disappointed again and again, and again.

Life is a gift from God

We simply cannot control everything. Life is a gift to us from God. If we realise this then everything makes sense. What is more wonderful than a family that is united, whether they are going for a walk or having a meal without arguments? You might be cynical – but only if you’ve never experienced this actually happen. It is faith that recognises that Christ is present here. How else could you reasonably account for a mum and dad who don’t quarrel with each other? On our own this is impossible. It’s much easier to reach out to someone in need if you aren’t fixated on getting your own way. And what is more satisfying than really helping someone? Again, you can be cynical from the outside, but why not try it out? The next time you have an opportunity to give up what you wanted in order to put someone else first, take the opportunity and see.

God Creates every moment of our lives

Life really is amazing when you take the opportunities that come to you. We are created beings. Life works best when we realise that God creates every moment of our lives. This is just as true for a parent as it is for a young person. Happiness is not found in getting what you want, but in receiving the gifts that come to you from God. These gifts come to you through your mum and dad, and, in my case, they partly come through my sons. There is no better way to learn this receptive attitude towards life than by generously (rather than grudgingly) accepting what our parents ask of us.

The climb with my sons was great fun, even if it took it out of me. It was one of the highlights of our holiday. It’s not every day that you get to see such incredible views, or feel a sense of achievement at seeing someone learn to read a map so that you don’t get lost in the mountains!

 

Written by Peter Khan

Our Guardian Angels

“He will command His angels about you, to guard you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:11

 

Spirit Beings

An angel is a spirit being, that is, an angel has no matter and no body. Each angel is an individual, and has a mind and a will like ours, but angels are of a higher nature than ours. They are often sent by God for certain duties on this earth, in fact, the word angel means “one who is sent”. With their whole beings the angels are servants and messengers of God, because they “always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10) They are the “mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word” (Psalm 103:20). There are many stories in the Bible of angels appearing to help and rescue those in trouble who cry out to God. They also appear to warn people when there is danger or for very specific tasks as when the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to ask if she would be willing to be the mother of Our Saviour.

They Belong to Christ

Although the angels were the first to proclaim his birth they actually belong to Christ because he created them. “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.” (Colossians 1:16). Jesus has promised that when he returns at the final judgement they will be with him. “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.” (Matthew 25:31)

We each have a Guardian Angel

Guardian angels are sent to guide and protect us. They have great powers too. Each one of us has a guardian angel, and throughout our lifetime we are protected by their watchful care and intercession. Our guardian angels are able to put good thoughts into our minds, and to protect us. Psalm 91:11 says: “He will command His angels about you, to guard you in all your ways.” In times of temptation they can give us both wisdom and strength. They never stop praying for us, and they present our prayers before God.

It makes sense then to remember and respect our guardian angels, to cultivate their friendship, to thank them and to ask for their help whenever we are trouble.

Some people recite this prayer daily to their guardian angels:

Angel of God, my guardian dear  To Whom His love commits me here  Ever this day be at my side  To light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen

 

Written by Jerrin Joseph

Journey of Life

Life of man is a journey short and eventful A journey full of ups and downs, tides high and low Where peace and unrest take the toll Where happiness and sorrow strives to conquer

Tell me friend, what guides your journey of life Is it wealth, power, beauty or authority ? Is it pride, lust, jealousy and greediness? They are bound to swallow you in the long run

Come on friend, you are still in the game You can still win your life, a life sublime A life full of peace of mind, joy and prosperity A life that can help many to achieve freedom

Let life of love and righteousness be your guide Let life of values social and moral be on your guard Come on, embrace a life of simplicity and respect Enjoy and share a life filled with joy and peace

 

Written by Martin Palattykoonathan-Chacku

Overcoming Temptations

“Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12

The whole world is full of tricks and temptations

There is a story told about St. Anthony of Egypt, a holy man who was born in Egypt in 251. After he had committed his life entirely to Jesus, he went through immense temptations. One day, St. Anthony was travelling through the desert when he found a plate of gold coins in his path. He wondered for a moment why these would be in the desert where no one else travelled. Soon he realized that the devil must have put it there to tempt him. Once he thought this, the plate of coins vanished. Then St. Anthony saw in a vision how the whole world was full of tricks and temptations. He cried to the Lord, “Oh good Lord, who can escape from these snares?” A voice said back to him, “Those who are humble can escape them.”

We are Faced with Daily Temptations

It is natural to be tempted in different ways and we have to acknowledge the fact that they are certain ploys that Satan uses in order to lead God’s children into sin. We are faced with many temptations daily. These could include things like the urge to shout at our parents, use swear words among our friends, watch movies that are bad for us or listen to music at times when we should be praying. My big temptations were that I was addicted to movies and music and I literally lived my life for both of these. I wasted my time watching movies over and over again and I would have earphones plugged into my ears all the time listening to all kinds of worldly music.

The Addiction was Broken but Temptation Remains

But through the School of Evangelization that I attended God gave me complete deliverance from them, and also a special grace to give them up totally for him as a sacrifice. Since then, by the divine grace of Jesus, I have not watched any movies nor listened to any music that the world can offer, other than Gospel music and films about the saints. My problem now is that because I was addicted to that kind of music, it still haunts me as a temptation. Every day the devil plants a thought inside my head to give it another go, listen to it again and he assures me that nothing will happen and that, God won’t mind. But Satan fails miserably each time he tries to inflict this sort of temptation on me because the power of God is greater than anything he possesses. If we rebuke him and all his tricks in the name of Jesus, he will run for his life.

Trust in God

According to St. Francis De Sales, “The beginning of all temptation lies in a wavering mind and having little trust in God. Just as a rudderless ship is driven here and there by the waves, so a careless and uncertain man is tempted in many ways.” Scripture reminds us that there is no temptation which we cannot overcome.

1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.” This scripture assures us that God has never allowed us to face any temptations which we cannot overcome and he never will, because of his faithfulness towards his people. Therefore whenever we are faced with temptation, we must remind ourselves that we can defeat it; we can conquer it, because we have Jesus on our side. Consider each temptation as an assessment by God. If you pass the test, a promotion is waiting for you, but if you fail, you’ll be rewarded with nothing.

Separate yourself from bad influences

St. Don Bosco said that “the devil will tempt you with bad books, bad thoughts, or the foul conversation of a companion. When such a person approaches you, say to yourself, this is a minister of Satan. And let these wretches who indulge in foul conversation say to themselves, I am a minister of Satan because I help him ruin souls.” We have to separate ourselves from bad influences and the wrong type of friends who could lead us into sin. This may be the only way that we can keep ourselves holy. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Be vigilant and fight the evil one by striving for purity and holiness.

Put on the Whole Armour of God

James 1:12 says, “Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His power. Stand firm and put on the whole armour of God, so that you will be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. I pray in the name of Jesus that everyone who reads this may obtain the grace from the Almighty God to endure all temptations.

Written by Melwin Tomy