The death of Patrick Moore at the age of 89 on December 9 2012 brought out a host of warm tributes to one of the most colourful and eccentric television personalities.
As the host of The Sky at Night for so much of our lifetime, and a regular contributor on television when a space related issue emerged, he became part of the furniture of contemporary culture. Following Patrick Moore, Brian Cox seems to be taking up the mantle of being the UK’s public face of astronomy. The popularity of his documentaries and the BBC Stargazing Live shows demonstrate the continuing public interest in the night sky.
Astronomical issues
God commends astronomy (Genesis 15.5). It is God who gives the stars their names (Isaiah 40.26), and we should recognise the beauty of the constellations (Job 38.31-32; Song of Songs 6.10). However, there are a number of issues for the defence of our faith that arise with astronomy.
In the ancient world, the great danger of the heavens was found in astrology. In fact, astrology and astronomy were blurred and to study the stars was also to try and find meaning for our lives in their patterns. Moses deliberately avoids the common words for sun and moon, preferring to call them ‘great lights’ (Genesis 1.14), to avoid associations of divinity. The great lights are not there to be worshipped but to be markers for the seasons. Ancient Israelites and later Christians were often sidetracked into astrology. Moses warned the Israelites not to worship the stars (Deuteronomy 4.19), and ‘divination’ is regularly condemned (Deuteronomy 18.9-11).
All things supernatural?
Astrology remains a lure in the contemporary world, but those who pursue astronomy are quick to reject it. When Patrick Moore was asked if horoscopes had any merit, he replied: ‘The only thing astrology proves is that there is one born every minute.’ But, in their dismissal of astrology, some astronomers sneak in a dismissal of all things supernatural. There is often a subtle but persuasive appeal to a materialistic view of the cosmos. Brian Cox, an amiable atheist (unlike Richard Dawkins who could be characterised as an aggressive atheist!), produced an engaging and stylish presentation on what we know about the stars in his Wonders of the Universe series. But the episodes do not simply present the facts and theories. Cox also provides a philosophy of human nature. So, in the first episode, he tells us: ‘Life in the universe will only exist for a fleeting, bright, instant in time because life is just a temporary structure on the long road from order to disorder … our true significance lies in our ability and desire to explore this beautiful universe’.
Dark matter
But this is not science. It is philosophy. It is a philosophical view founded on guesswork, because even our understanding of the material universe is incomplete. Brian Cox is well aware that our understanding of the material universe is itself limited and partial. In a 2011 interview with Nancy Atkinson, he commented: ‘What is 96% of the universe made of? We know our universe is full of something called Dark Matter and we don’t know what it is. The universe is accelerating in its expansion, which we call Dark Energy, and we don’t know what that is either’. This is honest and perceptive. But, if we need to be cautious about what exactly makes up 96% of the material universe, then surely a scientist needs to be cautious in offering a philosophy of life on the basis of our limited observations?
The Bible encourages astronomy, but challenges our interpretation: ‘The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge’ (Psalm 19.1-2). The stars speak of a universe formed in a moment of creation with the perfect conditions for stability and the existence of intelligent life. The stars point to the existence of an intelligent, loving and powerful Creator. In our witness to friends we should reclaim the stars from the paganism of astrology and the materialism of atheists. The wonder of the universe is a powerful clue to the existence of God.
Chris Sinkinson is pastor of Alderholt Chapel. He also lectures in Apologetics at Moorlands College, Christchurch, Dorset.
