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In fact, the more we learn about the universe, the more we see our unique place in the universe. This is the theme of The Privileged Planet (Regnery), a new book from Iowa State University astronomer Guillermo Gonzalez and the Discovery Institute's Jay Richards. One example is the moon. Gonzalez and Richards say that if the earth had a smaller moon, or two smaller moons like Mars, the planet could tilt more than 30 degrees off its axis, instead of its current 23.5 degrees. Not a big deal? Well, if the Earth tilted up to 60 degrees, during summer in the Northern Hemisphere, there would be months of scorching daylight sun, while the Southern Hemisphere froze until six months later when the two hemispheres would switch day and night. Earth's tilt, caused by the moon, also creates wind patterns and tidal currents that distribute heat and rain relatively evenly throughout the planet.

Our planet not only supports life, but strangely, the same conditions that allow for life also make it possible to observe the universe, Gonzalez and Richards say. Our atmosphere blocks much of the harmful energy of the sun, while allowing visible light. Made mostly of nitrogen and oxygen, our atmosphere is not only transparent, but also suitable to intelligent life.

Still, with the immensity of the universe, the Earth may not be so unique as it seems to scientists today. "God has chosen to make us and have a relationship with us, and that is the proper place to look for our meaning and purpose as humans," Haarsma says. "Discovering that the universe is large or that Earth is ordinary only reminds us how amazing it is that our Creator should want to have a personal relationship with us."

God's ornament
There is a suspicion among Christians of scientific discovery, Hoezee says. Because many scientists view the natural world as sufficient and consider the scientific method to be the only way to discover truth, many Christians distrust scientific claims. In his book Proclaim the Wonder: Engaging Science on Sunday (Baker, 2003), Hoezee says there can be a reconciliation. Christians can learn from science, viewing it as one way to learn about God.

Science can describe nature, but Hoezee says knowing how something works doesn't mean we understand it and don't need God. "We know so much more about conception than anybody [before us]," he explains. "But when Christian parents are expecting a child, we pray just as much about that pregnancy as a Christian couple would have 2,000 years ago."

It is a modern concept to think that because we can name something we know what it is. "When we look up at the universe, we just see space instead of a universe that is somehow intimately related to us," Markos says. "The Greek word cosmos means ornament. It is because the cosmos is God's ornament, it is his poem."

This poem of galaxies, nebulas, stars, and planets leads us back to God, Markos says. "That's why I love the journey of the magi. Here are people—not Christians, not Jews—all they know is the stars, but with that limited wisdom, they follow the stars and they lead them to Christ."

Rob Moll is assistant online editor for Christianity Today.

Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Christianity Today's sister publication Books & Culture has a Science Pages section.

Professor Howard J. Van Till asked What Good Is Stardust? when he saw the Milky Way one night.

The Star of Bethlehem web site has an interesting look at the astronomical causes of the star the Magi followed.

Space.com has lots of information for space enthusiasts.

NASA has more information about the Hubble telescope.

World magazine devoted a January cover story to space exploration on the anniversary of the Columbia disaster.

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April (Web-only) 2004, Vol. 48