Harmonies of Heaven: Unveiling Biblical Truth Through Cosmic Expansion, a review of Jason Lisles

Dr. Jason Lisle's argument, as presented, posits a strong correlation between biblical statements and modern cosmological observations, specifically focusing on the expanding universe. He contends that the Bible, through verses like Isaiah 40:22, anticipated the concept of cosmic expansion, a notion that secular science only recently embraced.

Lisle begins by highlighting the biblical assertion that God "stretches out the heavens," interpreting this as a direct reference to the universe's expansion. He contrasts this with the historical, scientific belief in a static, eternal universe, a view that Einstein's theory of general relativity and subsequent observational evidence challenged. The analogy of an inflating balloon effectively illustrates the concept of galaxies moving away from each other, mirroring the observed redshift of light from distant galaxies.

The redshift, Lisle explains, is a phenomenon where the wavelengths of light from distant galaxies are stretched, shifting them towards the red end of the spectrum. He attributes this redshift primarily to the universe's expansion, aligning with the Hubble law, which states that a galaxy's redshift is proportional to its distance. 

This observation, he argues, provides empirical support for the biblical concept of a "stretched-out" universe.

Furthermore, Lisle delves into the consistency of physical laws, drawing parallels between the "ordinances of heaven and earth" mentioned in Jeremiah 33:25 and the predictable, mathematical nature of the cosmos. He emphasizes that the laws of nature, as revealed through scientific inquiry, are consistent and logical because they reflect the consistent and logical nature of the Creator. He underscores the role of human cognitive abilities bestowed by God in interpreting these laws through observation, experimentation, and logical reasoning. This allows for accurate predictions, such as planetary positions, demonstrating the reliability of the universe's underlying principles.

Lisle acknowledges Einstein's contribution to understanding the relationship between mass and energy (E=mc²) and the conservation of mass energy within the universe. 

He argues that the universe's adherence to these fundamental laws reinforces the biblical assertion of a structured, ordered creation. He also addresses the implications of general relativity, where mass curves spacetime, influencing the motion of objects.

However, Lisle also cautions against conflating the observed expansion with the Big Bang theory, a naturalistic explanation for the universe's origin. He argues that the Bible's prior mention of an expanding universe predates the Big Bang model, suggesting that the biblical account offers a more accurate framework. 

Yet he agrees with this illustration in his blog. 

He emphasizes that the expansion of the universe does not inherently necessitate an infinitely small starting point, as proposed by the Big Bang.

Lisle also addresses potential alternative explanations for redshift, noting that while other mechanisms exist, the universe's expansion provides the most comprehensive and consistent explanation for the Hubble law. He reinforces the idea that the universe, whether expanding or collapsing, adheres to the principles of general relativity and that a static universe is highly improbable.

In essence, Lisle's argument is that the empirical evidence supporting an expanding universe aligns remarkably well with biblical descriptions, offering a compelling case for the Bible's accuracy in matters of cosmology. He asserts that the consistent, lawful nature of the universe, as revealed through scientific inquiry, reinforces the notion of a divinely ordained creation.