The Thomistic Institute Creation and Big Bang Cosmology | Prof. Karin Öberg
Apr 9, 2025
In this discussion, Professor Karin Öberg, an esteemed astronomy expert from Harvard, examines the fascinating link between cosmology and theology. She explores how views on creation have evolved from ancient cycles to the revolutionary Big Bang theory. Öberg also highlights the connections between biblical narratives and ancient cosmologies, providing a rich context for understanding contemporary scientific perspectives. Her insights raise compelling questions about the existence of a creator and the chemical habits of emerging planets.
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Creation as Relationship
- For Thomas Aquinas, creation is primarily a relationship of dependency, not an action.
- This dependency between creator and creation eliminates potential conflicts between God's actions and natural causes.
Genesis vs. Babylonian Cosmology
- The Babylonian creation myth influenced some aspects of the Genesis cosmology, like the structure of the cosmos.
- However, Genesis revolutionized the narrative by making God the sole creator of a universe governed by order and laws.
Aristotelian Cosmos
- The Aristotelian cosmos, adopted by theologians like Aquinas, was spherical and ordered, conducive to scientific inquiry.
- However, its inherent eternal nature posed a challenge to the concept of a universe with a beginning.