Growing up in a music-loving family, Paul Simon was one of my favorite artists. His music blared from my father’s vinyl record player in our home most weekends. In one of Simon’s songs entitled “Proof,” he writes, “Faith is an island in the setting sun, ah but proof yea, proof is the bottom line for everyone.”[1] Today, these lyrics highlight a challenging question I received as a pastor. People ask, “How can I have faith in a God I cannot see?” One way to approach this topic is by asking questions like, “does a finely tuned cosmos signify intelligent design?" In this blog, I aim to provide some basic information about a scientific argument called "fine-tuning” and why some scientists believe it points to proof of an Intelligent designer of the cosmos.
What is meant by fine-tuning?
Fine-tuning is a scientific argument that basically suggests that several precise conditions must exist in the universe for life to exist in general and on Earth specifically.
Astrophysicist Jeff Zweerink further explains:
“Life requires that the universe contains sufficient carbon and oxygen as well as hydrogen. When scientists assess what strengths of the electromagnetic and strong nuclear forces lead to sufficient quantities of these three elements, only a small range of values meet life’s requirements. The fine-tuning arises because small changes to these values lead to an apparently lifeless universe.”[2]
Evidence of Fine-Tuning in the Universe.
Francis Collins, one of the world’s foremost scientists and geneticists, writes, “Scientists of all worldviews agree that the physical constants of our universe and the conditions of the early universe are exquisitely fine-tuned for life.”[3] Here are just a few examples:
The Strength of Gravity
Some scientist believe that, prior to the Big Bang, there were no fully formed galaxies. As the universe expanded, gravity pulled matter and particles together to form the multi-universe. Collins says, “The strength of gravity has to be exactly right for stars to form. If gravity is altered even a small fraction of a percent, stars, planets, galaxies, and life itself could not exist.”[4]
The Stability of DNA
Zweerink goes on to argue for fine-tuning at the molecular level by stating, "Every atom has a nucleus of protons and neutrons and a cloud of electrons swirling around it. When an atom binds with another atom to make a molecule, the charged protons and electrons interact to hold them together. The mass of a proton is nearly 2,000 times the mass of the electron (1,836.15267389 times, to be precise). But if this ratio changed by only a small amount, the stability of many common chemicals would be compromised. In the end, this would prevent the formation of many molecules, including DNA, the building blocks of life.”[5]
The Support of our Solar System.
In his book, The Comprehensive Guide to Science and Faith, William Demski says, “Ongoing research reveals that each of our neighboring solar system planets and our moon features the precise and rare characteristics that make advanced life possible on earth.”[6]
If proof is the bottom line for everyone, as Paul Simon says, the good news is we have faith and science to help us in our search for God, and exploring the subject of fine-tuning is a good place to start. Jeff Zweerink writes, “The pervasive evidence of fine-tuning provides a compelling case that a supernatural Designer exists."
In other words, God has provided the “proof,” that inspires our faith.
Until next time … stay strong in the Lord!
Pastor Bob Moya
About Pastor Bob Moya, DMin.
Pastor Bob Moya has served as the lead pastor with his wife Candace at City Chapel in Arlington, Texas for over 22+ years. He recently graduated with a doctorate degree in Spiritual Renewal and Leadership in the spring of 2024. When not serving at the church, you'll find Bob enjoying a good read at Barnes & Noble, sipping a nitro cold brew or black coffee from Starbucks, or spending time with his family.
FOOTNOTES:
[1]. Paul Simon, “Proof,” Recorded October 16, 1990 on Warner Bros. https://www.lyrics.com
[2]. Jeff Zweering, “Pervasive Reasons: Thoughts on Fine-Tuning,” Reasons to Believe Blogs, March 10,2017, https://reasons.org/blog.
[3]. Francis Collins What Do ‘Fine-Tuning and the “Multiverse” say about God? July 20, 2021, https:
[4]. Jeff Zweering, “Pervasive Reasons: Thoughts on Fine-Tuning,” Reasons to Believe Blogs, March 10,2017, https://reasons.org/blog.
[5]. Ibid.
[6]. William A. Dembski, Casey Luskin, and Jospeh M. Holden, The Comprehension Guide to Science and Faith:Exploring the Ultimate Questions about Life and he Cosmos (Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishing,2021),236
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