We are storytellers. From childhood fairy tales to the most erudite and complex cosmological theories, we use good stories to communicate truth.
What exactly then is the story of the cosmos? Is there one? And what can modern science tell us about this story?
Good science communicators attempt to answer these questions, composing their explanations about the heavens into meaningful and compelling narratives. But is the modern story of the cosmos the true story of the cosmos?
Most scientific theories about the universe take little or no account for God. The universe is only or "just" what it is made of, just what it does, nothing more.
But we here at Good Heavens! believe there is a true and good story about the universe that includes where it came from, what it all means, and to whom it points.
As Colossians 1 proclaims, "For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven" (Colossians 1.17-20, NASB 1995).
Astrophysicist Jeff Zweerink is a former senior research scholar at Reasons to Believe (RTB). He earned a BS in physics and a PhD in astrophysics from Iowa State University with a focus on gamma rays. He taught at and ran the planetarium at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, until postdoctoral research in gamma rays led him to the University of California, Riverside.
Jeff spent years working on the STACEE and VERITAS gamma-ray telescopes and was involved in research projects such as the Solar Two project and the Whipple Collaboration. He continues to work as a project scientist at UCLA on GAPS, a balloon experiment seeking to detect dark matter. Zweerink is also a coauthor of more than 30 academic papers published in peer-reviewed journals such as Astrophysical Journal, Astroparticle Physics, and Astrobiology.
While an undergrad at Iowa State University, he heard astrophysicist and RTB founder Hugh Ross speak on the constructive integration of science and the Christian faith. Ten years later, a professor encouraged Zweerink to enroll in RTB’s volunteer apologists program. This involvement eventually led to a scholar position in 2005.
Today, Zweerink writes and speaks on the compatibility of science and the Christian faith and on evidence for intentional design from multiverse theory and exoplanets, as well as artificial intelligence (AI). His speaking engagements take him to universities, conferences, churches, high schools, youth groups, and other venues around the world. His books include Is There Life Out There?, Who’s Afraid of the Multiverse?, Escaping the Beginning?, and Building Bridges (coauthor). He has also made many media appearances on television, radio, and in print.
Zweerink and his wife, Lisa, live in Southern California and have five children.
Image credit (Crab Nebula): Hubble Space Telescope, NASA, Goddard.
Two-part episode with cosmologist Dr. Luke Barnes on C.S. Lewis' science fiction.
Part One
Part Two
Watchman Fellowship Resources on the Question of Aliens, UFOs, and UAPs:
Free Four-Page Profile Articles
UFOs and UAPs
Raelians
Heaven's Gate
Disclosure Day
The Urantia Book
Podcast Episodes on UFOs, Aliens, and Extraterrestrials
Aliens, Evolution, and Intelligent Design
What is the Message of Spielberg’s Disclosure Day?
UFOS and Aliens
Ufologist Gary Bates Part One
Ufologist Gary Bates Part Two
Ancient Aliens? No.
Daniel’s interview with Sasha Sagan, the daughter of the late planetary astronomer Carl Sagan
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