Thoughts on Stephen Hawking's New Book - The Grand Design

I greatly respect Stephen Hawking for presenting perspectives on physics that few have seen or understood.  I do not yet have a copy of his new book, The Grand Design, (mine's on order), but from the many news stories circulating, I have a few questions.

News story: Claims by leading physicist Stephen Hawking that God had no role in the creation of the universe. 
Drew: My question is: "How many scientists were there at the beginning, creation or Big Bang to observe that God was not there?"  

News story: In his new book "The Grand Design," Britain's most famous scientist says that given the existence of gravity, "the universe can and will create itself from nothing," according to an excerpt published in The Times of London.  
Drew: My questions are: "Where did gravity come from?  Did gravity create itself from nothing or was gravity created by someone or something outside of itself?   What if gravity were absent from the universe, would the universe still be able to self-create?"   Using your same reasoning that because gravity exists, the universe will create itself from nothing, could I assume that if pine trees exist, my house will self-create without the intervention of a homebuilder? 
Since I was not there when it was built, is it safe for me to assume that my house was self-created ?   


News story: "Spontaneous creation is the reason why there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist," he wrote.
Drew: Is there anything else that follows the pattern of 'Spontaneous creation' such as a book, a building, a computer system, a news channel, a mountain, or a super-nova?   My premise is that we do not observe anything today that comes from nothing, therefore how can we assume the origins of the universe came from nothing?  How can anyone establish that 'Spontaneous creation' is a correct reality?

Some Additional Thoughts:
You may not think it is neccessary for God to exist, but who or what set the laws of the universe in motion and who enforces them?   If the laws of the universe are random or not enforced, then how could an electron on earth be the same as an electron on the nearest star?   Astronomers assume that electrons behave the same on earth as they do on a far star when measuring the light spectrums.  Is this a correct assumption?

Ponder the following verse, "The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork." (Psalms 19:1)

If you are looking for resources to help you pursue your own study on this topic, the following are a few examples of Bible Study tools available at Olive Tree to enhance your Mobile Bible Study.

• Intelligent Design by Wayne House
• NIV Study Bible Notes by Kenneth Barker
• Reformation Study Bible Notes  by R. C. Sproul
• ESV Study Bible
• Complete Word Study Bible - CWSB
• NLT (New Living Translation) Study Bible
• King James Version - KJV - with Strong's Numbers
• Apologetics Study Bible

Bible Study: Desire The Pure Milk of the Word

Bible study is not optional for the believer, “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, [I Peter 2:2] 
First of all, that is a command, not a suggestion.  What does desiring God’s Word look like? We should desire or long for the pure milk of God’s Word as a baby desires or longs for milk when he is hungry.  Every parent will smile at the imagery used by Peter here. There is no stopping the hungry baby, and the parents had better get the message or they will have no peace! A desire for God’s Word is one thing that typically characterizes a new believer. This is a God-given desire. Do you have this desire?  If not, one possible explanation for this lack of desire is that you are not a child of God.  If that is true it is only reasonable that you would not understand the importance of His Word to your life. The Bible is a closed book. It is spiritual information that is spiritually discerned and if you have never believed in Jesus Christ as your Savior, you have not received God’s Spirit to guide you into His truth. Second Corinthians 4:4 says that the god of this age (Satan) has blinded the eyes unbeliever so he will not come to the light of God’s truth, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 

 Are you one of those people Satan has blinded?  Don’t despair because God is very merciful and gracious and He wants to have a relationship with you.  He is patiently calling you to Himself.  Evidence for His existence is all around you. A favorite old psalm says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.”

 [Psalm 19:1]  Do you see the majesties of God in the things He has created?  Do you want to know Him as your heavenly Father? “The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” 

  You need to accept the free gift of eternal life available through Jesus Christ today. It is impossible to make yourself acceptable to God by anything you do.  Salvation is a gift. When do we ever work for a gift? If we work for a gift it is no longer a gift.  Read what Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,  ⁹not of works, lest anyone should boast. 

  You have heard how you can become a child of God.  The choice is yours.  No one can coerce you into this decision.  You are a free moral agent, but as a free moral agent you are responsible to God. You can choose to reject Him; many have. If you make that decision, however, you must bear the conesquences, and the consequences of rejecting God’s gracious gift of His Son are eternal according to John 3:36, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

  Join the family of God today.  You will never be disappointed!  Then why not study the Bible so you can begin to know your wonderful Savior better?


There are also many great Bible Study tools available at Olive Tree for Mobile Bible Study.  Consider the following:

• NIV Study Bible Notes by Kenneth Barker
• Reformation Study Bible Notes  by R. C. Sproul
• ESV Study Bible
• Complete Word Study Bible - CWSB
• NLT (New Living Translation) Study Bible
• King James Version - KJV - with Strong's Numbers
• Apologetics Study Bible

The Importance of Bible Study

The Bible is the Word of God. Few things can change your life for the better than the time you spend studying God’s Word. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, said this of God’s wisdom, Proverbs 3:13ff, "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. 14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.” Again in Proverbs 8:10-11 where wisdom personified is speaking, “Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold; For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.”   Read those verses again! God’s wisdom is a treasure. Who doesn’t love the thought of going on a treasure hunt? If we knew the location of some buried treasure, we would spare no effort to find it. If we have to miss a meal or two while we dig for treasure---no problem! Job felt that way, “I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.   Job didn’t just say God’s Word was more important to him than food but more important than his necessary food. Think about! The importance of God’s Word wasn’t lost on Jeremiah either, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart.” So why do so few Christians love to dig in God’s Word? Why are most of us satisfied being spoon-fed a feel-good sermon on Sunday morning, but not willing to work ourselves at learning what God has to say to us? Take some time to meditate on that question in light of your own attitude toward studying God’s Word. 
Consider a great Mobile Bible reading resource such as the BibleReader from Olive Tree.


There are also many great tools available at Olive Tree for Mobile Bible Study.