By Dr. Gerald Schroeder
Hosted by Lewis Loflin
I’m a fan of Dr. Gerald Schroeder and own his book The Science of God, which brilliantly bridges science and faith. Creation often stirs debate, but Schroeder, a physicist and biblical scholar, argues that Genesis aligns with discoveries like the Big Bang. Here, I present his answers to key questions on cosmology, evolution, and human origins. Following his work, I’ve added my own commentary and links, exploring environmentalism and climate science from a rational, Deist perspective.
In the early 1600s, Archbishop James Ussher calculated the universe began on October 23, 4004 BCE, using biblical genealogies. Johannes Kepler, the astronomer, countered it was April. Both were off on timing, but their concept of a beginning was profound. In 1965, Penzias and Wilson’s discovery of cosmic background radiation confirmed a start—about 15 billion years ago—echoing Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning.” Science validated what Ussher and Kepler intuited.
Genesis details six creation days, with the Sun appearing on day four. Ancient sages defined “day” as 24 hours, yet containing “all the ages” of the universe. Genesis 2:4 and 5:1 mention “generations” in a “day.” Einstein’s relativity reveals time’s variability—a minute differs across celestial bodies. We see 15 billion years looking back; Genesis looks forward from the Big Bang. An expanding universe compresses time perception—15 billion years divided by a million (spatial shrinkage) yields six days, as Genesis claims.
Genesis 1:20-26 covers animal evolution in seven verses: aquatic life, land animals, mammals, then humans—mirroring the fossil record. Life emerged 4 billion years ago, post-cooling, defying gradualism. The Cambrian explosion (550 million years ago) introduced complex life abruptly. Darwin sidestepped fossils, but Genesis matches the sequence. Neither explains the “how.”
The Talmud questions Genesis 2:21-22, where “rib” (tsela) means “side.” Options: Adam and Eve were joined, then split (Genesis 1:27), or God “built” Eve, perhaps braiding her hair. Both views lean symbolic, not literal.
The biblical calendar sets Adam at 6,000 years ago; science says 60,000. The Talmud posits the soul (neshama) defines humanity, distinct from pre-human hominids. Writing and cities arose 6,000 years ago—possibly tied to this soul. Science can’t confirm, but the coincidence is striking.
Genesis 1:31 deems creation “very good,” yet suffering exists. Isaiah 45:7 says God creates evil by withdrawing presence, letting nature unfold. Free will demands a natural world, with its disasters. Abel’s murder (Genesis 4) shows God permits choice.
God, beyond time, sees all as “now” (Exodus 3:14). Relativity hints at this—light experiences no time from Sun to Earth, though we see eight minutes. We choose in time; God sees all at once. It’s a paradox we can’t fully grasp.
Genesis 1:21 cites “big taninim”—reptiles, possibly dinosaurs. It’s not a science text, but it nods to large creatures.
Theologians sparked this divide, opposing Copernicus, Kepler, and Newton despite their faith. The Bible didn’t contradict their findings, yet clerics resisted. This fuels modern skepticism, though harmony is possible.
Gerald Schroeder earned his BSc, MSc, and PhD from MIT in Earth Sciences and Nuclear Physics. His books, Genesis and the Big Bang and The Science of God, explore science-Bible convergence. Visit geraldschroeder.com.
Dr. Schroeder’s work, especially in The Science of God, resonates with my Deist view—reason and evidence point to a purposeful universe. Below, I share articles from my site, critiquing environmentalism and exploring climate science with a focus on facts over fear.
Hypsithermal: The Mid-Holocene Warm Period (9,000–5,000 years ago) brought warmer climates and ecological shifts, aiding early civilization.
Thanks to Grok, an AI by xAI, for assisting in formatting this article. Dr. Schroeder’s original work is presented here, with my edits and additions. —Lewis Loflin
