TThhee CCrreeaattoorr ooff tthhee HHeeaavveennss By Steven E. Behrmann THE CREATOR OF THE HEAVENS 2 ©Steven E. Behrmann 2013 Milo Edition Dedication This book is dedicated to my beautiful and intelligent daughter, Stephanie, who often watches stars and satellites with me, and assists me in various and helpful ways with my astronomy books, seminars and lectures. Many evenings, beginning in her early childhood, and continuing on through her youth, we have lain on our backs out under the starry host and observed with delight the heavenly glories above us. It is great to have a daughter who shares my interest in the astronomy. Herein is found yet another of the broad purposes found in the creation of the heavens. The common study of them can draw family members and friends together. This blessing has been especially experienced in my life because of my delightful daughter. Stephanie is truly a shining star in my life! Table of Contents Preface ........................................................................... 7 What the Bible Says About the Origin of the Heavens and the Earth ............................................... 11 When Were the Heavens Created? ........................... 19 Do the Astrophysics of Creation Really Matter? .... 31 Question Everything................................................... 47 Terra Firma ................................................................. 68 Bright as the Sun, Fair as the Moon, Awesome as the Host .............................................................................. 83 The Surprising Structure of Our Local Universe . 108 The Big Bang and Other “Special Creations” ....... 137 Hubble‟s Rubble ....................................................... 143 Is There Life on Other Planets? .............................. 160 Where is the Center of the Universe? ..................... 170 The Properties of Light and Color ......................... 175 The Sabbath and the Heavens ................................. 190 The Great Wonders of the Heavens ....................... 211 Appendix A ............................................................... 220 Appendix B ................................................................ 242 Appendix C ............................................................... 251 Appendix D ............................................................... 259 Appendix E ................................................................ 264 Preface This book is the fourth book in a five-part1 series dedicated to the study of the heavens. The previous three books (The Torah of the Heavens, Clock of the Heavens, and Signs of the Heavens) were aimed at studying the heavens from a theological or biblical viewpoint. The approach has been philosophical, historical, and religious---but not “scientific.” However, for some time the author has felt the need to hazard some comments about the science of astronomy in general. The need arises in his heart to collaborate in the effort of “taking back astronomy” for those of a faith/creationist persuasion. The scientific study of astronomy in our present world seems in no way to be related to biblical religion. For the most part modern culture assumes that the heavens above came about as a result of a cosmic accident. The possibility of a god-related first cause is commonly excluded from the thinking of almost every other modern science as well. So at the outset, I will define my premise and unashamedly reveal 1 The fifth book, “The Planisphere of the Heavens,” is not so much a book as it is a “planisphere.” A planisphere is a map of the sky. The book is a simple handbook or guide to the sacred names and meanings of the most important stars and constellations viewable in the northern hemisphere. THE CREATOR OF THE HEAVENS my bias. I from the beginning believe in a scheme fundamentally counter to the naturalistic and uniformitarian models of science prevalent today. I believe that the heavens can find no other raison d'être than the handiwork of a grand designer. I believe that the most reasonable explanation for what we see is that indeed “God did it,” no matter how odious and distasteful secular scientists find the claim. So at the very portal of this document let the author offer a direct word to the reader. If the reader does not already believe in at least the possibility that there is a Creator God, then the reading of the following pages will likely be in your view a waste a time. I will not be able to convince you otherwise, nor will I attempt to. You may lay the book down and never take it up again, no matter who gave it to you to read. It is not for you. In a way, I don‟t want you to read it. But if you are willing to examine a few pieces of what I believe is powerful evidence that the heavens have a personal creator, then you are invited to read on. It may be that you may find an arrow, a signal, or a sign that might inform your quest for knowledge. Of one thing I am sure, and will hasten to confess: “I am neither an expert, nor a scientist.” I am what they call a humble “layman in the field.” True, as a gospel minister I am not accustomed to considering myself a “layman.” But when it comes to astronomical science; that I am. Please, friends, I make no great claims on my own account. I know just enough to know that I don‟t know very much, and maybe just enough---to be dangerous! Once when I visited with my wife and her coworkers at the hospital where she works they were engaged in some rather scientific medical shoptalk. Finally one of the medical personnel noticed that I looked a little lost, and commented, “Oh, I forgot we have a layman in here.” I discovered (again) what it feels like to be a layman. And truly when considering the enormous field of astronomy I most certainly feel like a novice, at least most of the time. 8 Preface Then why is the following document written? Because, I suspect, there are other laypeople in this world that might welcome some biblical explanations of the heavenly sciences that perhaps they can understand. They need someone at their level, maybe even a little below it, to explore it with them! The best teachers are not the “experts” anyway. The best teachers are the struggling learners themselves who search for satisfaction about such things in their own minds---wise students---who are simply careful and unwilling to quickly and blindly accept the trite platitudes and opinions of others. It is my settled conviction that far more evidence is available for a creator in the heavens than is commonly and candidly confessed by even Christian astronomers. Further, I am particularly concerned about the real and resident existence of “pseudo- science,” commonly taught falsehoods and teachings about the starry worlds. Regrettably these dangerous humanistic interpretations are even propagated by Christian astronomers. The fruit of this fallacious tree, when tasted and eaten by the naive adoption of many of these assumed facts, has the tendency to discount the creatorship of Christ and to explain the grandeur of the heavens as accidental and happenstance. Modern science has seductively and effectually stolen away God‟s property from him. My appeal is that more voices should be heard in an effort to give back God His creation. I certainly don‟t expect the welcome consideration or immediate adoption of many of the suggestions and teachings explored in this book. It isn‟t that I don‟t believe in them, or because I have my own doubts about them, at least at this time in my journey. It is not that at all. It is because there are some radical and unorthodox conclusions suggested in this book, and I find people as a rule tend to discard anything that doesn‟t suit their liking, regardless of the evidence----or they tend to reject anything that doesn‟t fit what they have already pre-determined in their own mind. All the author asks is a “fair shake” when it comes to some of these things. He can already hear the whining, the moaning, 9 THE CREATOR OF THE HEAVENS and the groaning from the so-called “informed” about some of the conclusions already. But give the author a break, o.k.? Take an open look, learn or parley if you can---walk away if you can‟t. Finally, I, the author, reserve the right to learn on my own, and to change my mind about certain things as the evidence presents itself or as the picture becomes clearer. That is how the honest scientist should work, anyway. Therefore, there are likely things in this layman‟s effort that might endure vast revisions in the end. The science of astronomy is among the broadest of all the sciences. The enormity of the heaven‟s themselves leaves the observer very small in his own eyes, and so it probably should be. However, after studying the heavens for some time and writing this book, one grand premise I doubt will soon, if ever be, surrendered by this author. That is that the heavens do indeed represent the work of a master creator and designer. They speak most loudly in this regard, in fact, the evidence is almost deafening. The heavens “declare” (“shout”) the glory of God. It is my desire that the reader find it so in this humble document, and most of all through the voice of the magnificent heavens themselves. Come! “Lift up your eyes on high,” with me, if you will. If you care----if you dare----read on! 10 1 What the Bible Says About the Origin of the Heavens and the Earth What does the Bible teach regarding the creation of the heavens and our earth? It teaches unequivocally that the one and only God is the Creator of everything we see and know. The very first verse of the Bible says: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1, NIV. While scientists and theologians interpret the Bible according to their various opinions today, there can be no confusion concerning the position the Bible writers had when it comes to THE CREATOR OF THE HEAVENS the subject of universal creation.