Big
Using NASA data, astronomers have calculated that in our galaxy alone there are more than eight billion stars with earth size planets in the “inhabitable temperature zone,” i.e., not too hot nor too cold for life. Eight billion stars is more than one star for every person on earth. This figure is certainly low because scientists were only looking at “sun-like” stars; and they are not the common ones.
If you are a skeptic, you might not accept this data. You may think, “Scientists don’t know everything.” True, scientists are sometimes wrong; but, in this case, they are under-calculating. The universe is simply too large to measure. One article I read said, “Go figure,” but you cannot. We do not have numbers large enough to “figure” space.
If you are an optimist, you may be hoping we can soon travel to some of these “not too hot and not too cold” places. Perhaps you are hoping these faraway places will have more advanced civilizations, and their inhabitants will visit us and teach us how to get along.
If you are an opportunist, you may be hoping we can find and develop some foreign star and become rich. That thought is frightening; our “development of unclaimed worlds” is littered with human greed and casualties.
If you are a theologian, these findings present enormous insights into the work of our Creator. Personally, I believe God created it all. The Bible tells us, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) Then again, the Bible says God holds all of creation “in the palm of His hand.” (Isaiah 48:13) I believe that. I have always known God is greater than I can comprehend. Understanding more about the universe He created increases my confidence that He can keep His promise to care for me.
As a child, I wondered where God will put us all if the Christians from all the years (a number in the billions or more) go to heaven. Obviously, the vast reaches of space can accommodate us.
I realize what I just said is childishly human. I happen to agree with J. B. Phillips, an Anglican minister, who noted modern discoveries and open minds convince us that God is immeasurably larger than we or our forefathers ever imagined.
What do you think?
