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Ten parameters for a “fine-tuned” universe

Seven parameters for a “so special” solar system

Twelve parameters for a “just right” earth

Six features that must be true about the First Cause that produced the universe

Ten parameters for a “fine-tuned” universe

In his book, The Creator and the Cosmos (NavPress, 2001). Dr. Hugh Ross lists 35 parameters that show how finely tuned the universe is in order for physical life of any conceivable kind to exists.  Here are ten:

1. Strong nuclear force constant

 if larger: no hydrogen; nuclei essential for life would be unstable

 if smaller:  no elements other than hydrogen

2. Weak nuclear force constant

if larger: too much hydrogen converted to helium in the big gang, hence too much heavy metal element material made by star burning; no expulsion of heavy elements from stars

if smaller:  too little helium produced from the big bang, hence too little heavy element material made by star burning; no expulsion of heavy elements from stars

3. Gravitational force constant

if larger: stars would be too hot and would burn up too quickly and too unevenly

if smaller:  stars would remain so cool that nuclear fusion would never ignite, hence no heavy element production

4. Electromagnetic force constant

if larger: insufficient chemical bonding; elements more massive than boron would be too unstable for fission

if smaller: insufficient chemical bonding; inadequate quantities of either carbon or oxygen

5. Ratio of electron to proton mass

if larger: insufficient chemical bonding

if smaller:  insufficient chemical bonding

6. Ratio of numbers of protons to electrons

if larger: electromagnetism would dominate gravity, preventing galaxy, star, and planet formation

If smaller:  electromagnetism would dominate gravity, preventing galaxy, star, and planet formation

7. Expansion rate of the universe

if larger: no galaxy formation

if smaller:  universe would collapse prior to star formation

8. Velocity of light

if faster: stars would be too luminous

if slower: stars would not be luminous enough

9. Age of the universe

if older:  no solar-type stars in a stable burning phase in the right part of the galaxy

if younger: solar-type stars in a stable burning phase would not yet have formed

10.  Average distance between galaxies

if larger: insufficient gas would be infused into our galaxy to sustain star formation over an adequate time span

if smaller: the sun’s orbit would be too radically disturbed

Seven parameters for a “so special” solar system

In his book, The Creator and the Cosmos (NavPress, 2001). Dr. Hugh Ross lists 66 parameters that show how finely tuned our galaxy, sun, moon, and the earth must be in order for physical life of any conceivable kind to on earth. Here are seven that relate to our solar system:

1. The sun’s distance from the center of the galaxy

if farther:  quantity of heavy elements would be insufficient to make rocky planets

if closer: galactic radiation would be too great; stellar density would disturb planetary orbits

2. The number of suns in our solar system

if more than one:  today interactions would disrupt earth’s planetary orbit

if less than one:  heat produced would be insufficient for life

3. The sun’s birth date

if more recent:  the sun would not yet have reached stable burning phase; solar system would contain too many heavy elements

if less recent:  solar system would not contain enough heavy elements

4. The sun’s age

if older: luminosity of the sun would change too quickly

if younger: luminosity of the sun would change too quickly

5. The sun’s mass

 if greater:  luminosity of the sun would change too quickly; the sun would burn too rapidly

if less: the range of planet distances for life would be too narrow; tidal forces would disrupt the earth’s rotational period; uv radiation would be inadequate for plants to make sugars and oxygen

6. The sun’s color

if redder: photosynthetic response would be insufficient

if bluer:  photosynthetic response would be insufficient

7. The sun’s luminosity relative to speciation

 if increases too soon: runaway greenhouse effect would develop

 if increases too late: runaway glaciation would develop

Twelve parameters for a “just right” earth

In his book, The Creator and the Cosmos (NavPress, 2001). Dr. Hugh Ross lists 66 parameters that show how finely tuned our galaxy, sun, moon, and the earth must be in order for physical life of any conceivable kind to on earth. Here are twelve that relate to earth, our home planet:

1. Earth’s distance from the sun

 if farther:  earth would be too cool for a stable water cycle

 if closer: earth would be too warm for a stable water cycle

2. Inclination of orbit

 if too great: temperature differences on earth would be too extreme

3. Orbital eccentricity

 if too great:  seasonal temperature differences would be too extreme

4. Tilt of the earth’s axis

 if greater:  surface temperature differences would be too great

 if less: surface temperature differences would be too great

5. Rotation period

 if longer: diurnal temperature differences would be too great

 if shorter:  surface temperature range necessary for life would not be sustained

6. Age of the earth

 if too young:  earth would rotate too rapidly

 if too old:  earth would rotate too slowly

7. Magnetic field

 if stronger: electromagnetic storms would be too severe

 if weaker: ozone shield would be inadequately protected from hard stellar and solar radiation

8. Thickness of the earth’s crust

 if thicker:  too much oxygen would be transferred from the atmosphere to the crust

 if thinner:  volcanic and tectonic activity would be too great

9. Carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere

 if greater:  runaway greenhouse effect would develop

 if less: plants would be unable to maintain efficient photosynthesis

10.  Ozone quantity in the atmosphere

 if greater:  surface temperatures would be too low

if less: surface temperatures would be too high; there would be too much uv radiation at the surface

11.  Oxygen quantity in the atmosphere

 if greater:  plants and hydrocarbons would burn up too easily

 if less: advanced animals would have too little to breathe

12.  Atmospheric pressure

 if too small:  liquid water would evaporate too easily and condense too infrequently

if too large:  liquid water would not evaporate easily enough for land life; insufficient sunlight would reach the earth’s surface; insufficient uv radiation would reach the earth’s surface

Six features that must be true about the first cause that produced the universe

Because the universe exists, it had a beginning. God is the only possible cause for that beginning. Anything else would be a part of the universe, and we know that a thing can’t create itself. Here are six features that must be true about the first cause that produced the universe.  Because God was the First Big Cause, these six features are true about Him:

1. The first cause must be independent of the universe.

Since the universe can’t create itself, the first cause must be outside of the universe. This feature describes the transcendent nature of God—He is above and beyond it. The universe is subject to His control.  See Hebrews 1:10-12.

2. The first cause must be all-powerful.

Scientists describe the Big Bang as the greatest explosion of energy that has ever occurred in the universe. The first cause would have to have the power to create that explosion. And that is exactly how the Bible describes God when it speaks of His omnipotence (all-powerfulness).  See Jeremiah 32:17.

3. The first cause must be timeless.

Because the first cause must be outside out universe, it must be beyond our parameters of time.  It must have pre-existed the start of the universe.  This feature is consistent with God’s eternal (timeless) nature.  See Psalm 90:2.

4. The first cause must be supernatural.

Just as the first cause is outside of time, it must also be outside the physical realm.  It transcended the physical realm before the physical universe existed.  God fits this description because He is a spirit. He is not composed of matter and does not possess a physical nature. See John 4:24.

5. This first cause must be a supreme intelligence.

To put the incredibly complexity of the universe into place, the first cause must have the knowledge that encompasses and surpasses all of it. Albert Einstein said that the intellect of the first cause “reveals an intelligence of such superiority that, compared with it, all the systematic thinking and acting of human beings is an utterly insignificant reflection.” That description fits God. He is omniscient (all-knowing) and has knowledge of all the laws of nature because He put them into place. See Psalms 147:5.

6. The first cause must have a personality.

This trait refers to the fact that the first cause must have acted intentionally—on purpose—with a particular result in mind.  There are many prominent scientists who find evidence of purpose and intention behind the intelligent life in the universe.  God has such a personality. He is not some amorphous force. He is a personal God with a will and a purpose. See Psalm 94:9-10.