Why is the Evidence so Important?

Why is the Evidence so Important?

Before we begin, let us address why it is so important that empirical evidence is the primary
reason for the growing acceptance of the Big Bang theory. The evidence is far more valuable
than any interpretative framework or philosophical bias, since the evidence is no respecter of
persons. It cannot always be forced to fit one’s favorite theory. Wrong interpretations will
inevitably encounter inconsistencies that cannot be adequately explained as more evidence
mounts or as the evidence is examined more carefully. But in order to allow science to work
successfully we must be willing to allow the evidence to guide us, to correct us, and to test our
ideas. This is the basis for good science. In A Christian Physicist Examines the Age of the earth,
I discussed criteria for good science, despite the fact that we cannot completely reproduce the
events of the Big Bang in our laboratories on earth. These criteria are important enough to repeat
here. I wrote:
6
The reliability of the evidence can be determined in a number of ways. First of
all, since our universe obeys certain laws and principles, the evidence should be
examined in light of these well-established laws and principles. Secondly, when
several independent sources are all giving very similar answers, it increases the
measure of confidence we have in the results. Good science requires both the
measures of self-consistency and consistency with other independent, yet equally
valid methods. [11]
While the Big Bang theory has not only survived intense scrutiny, a series of remarkable
confirmations have shown it to be one of the greatest scientific accomplishments of recent years,
revealing an incredible story of how our universe developed into what we observe today. It has
become one of the strongest testimonies to the validity of the biblical account of creation, since it
clearly confirms that our universe had a beginning, as described in Genesis 1, in which the cause
of it is outside of the physical realm we observe. It is remarkable that the observations have
allowed us to trace the record of our universe back to this beginning point.
But does our worldview permit us to examine this evidence thoughtfully? One holding a solid
faith in the Bible should have no fear of examining the testimony of the universe, since this too
bears witness of God’s handiwork. And for the one who appreciates science, but is skeptical of
whether it agrees with a Christian worldview, I also urge an open mind. You will find that the
evidence provided by the universe doesn’t need a lot of speculative interpreting on our part.
Leading scientists have simply provided a theoretical framework based on known laws and
principles of physics to describe what we observe. The resulting Big Bang theory has provided
us some very testable predictions, which agree well with the astronomical evidence collected
over the last four decades. Let us now consider the evidence supporting the Big Bang theory.