The "God Particle" - What Does It Mean?

Scientists around the world are reporting that they are all but certain they have discovered the Higgs boson, often referred to as the "God Particle."

This, they say, is the missing cornerstone of physics---the discovery of this particle will unlock to science how the universe came into existence---and how it will end.

Scientists are saying this will be the "eureka" moment.

What does this mean to those who believe in biblical Creation? Will this scientific discovery challenge those beliefs? Or further confirm the biblical account?


CBS is reporting that the "search is all but over for a subatomic particle that is a crucial building block of the universe."

This particle was originally predicted to exist by scientist Peter Higgs in 1964, as the bridge to understanding the creation of the universe.

He and other scientists have theorized that the universe began with a bang---we know it as the "Big Bang Theory."

The Higgs boson is said to be the particle that energizes and sustains the universe and causes matter to have particular size and form.

The "God Particle" is a subatomic particle that, because of its existence, scientists say, is fundamental to the creation of the universe. It has to exist or there would be no universe.

Here's how they explain its importance:

School physics teaches that everything is made up of atoms, and inside atoms are electrons, protons and neutrons. They in turn are made of quarks and other sub atomic particles. Scientists have never been able to figure out how these building blocks acquire mass---or stick together. If they didn't stick together, there would, of course, be nothing tangible. There would be no universe as we know it. It would be without form---it would be void. Nothingness.

Scientists say this discovery will help them understand the "96% of the universe that remains hidden from view."

They say it could lead to "unknown forces of nature."

Joseph Lykken, a theoretical physicist in Italy, says this discovery also shows, "The universe we live in is inherently unstable and at some point...its all going to get wiped out." It will self destruct. He calls it a "catastrophic event" but assures people that it is "tens of billions of years from now."

This appears to be what scientists say they are discovering:

1. There is a creative element in the universe. An energizing factor that created everything that has been brought into being. The universe began suddenly, with a bang.
   
2. All things in the universe interact with precision and predictability because of this sustaining energy particle.
   
3. All things will end suddenly.

Some personal thoughts.

I agree. What they are finding or hoping to find has previously been explained.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void: and darkness was on the face of the deep and the spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters, then God said..." (Genesis 1: 1-3).

The astronauts on Apollo 8 saw the wonder of it all as they glided in orbit around the moon, looking back at earth in a way no human had ever done. On December 24, 1968, the crew read the Genesis account of Creation with their cameras looking across the face of the moon, with the earth sitting suspended in space on the horizon.

I have linked their 2-minute reading and the video here. Please watch this and tell me it all just evolved over time with no intelligent Creator.

As a side note: An atheist woman sued the astronauts when they returned from space. You guessed it. Separation of church and state.

I later became good friends with the late astronaut Jim Irwin who piloted the Lunar Module from Apollo 15 to its landing on the moon.

He told me often that as you stand on the moon looking back at earth on the horizon with the universe behind it, it is impossible to honestly believe there is no Creator, no design.

I also agree there is a sustaining God factor at the very heart of all creation.

In referring to Jesus Christ, John wrote, "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. All things were made through him, and without Him nothing was made that was made" (John 1).

The biblical book of Hebrews (1:3) explains the sustainability force in the universe, "Sustaining all things by his [Jesus Christ's] powerful word."

And as the universe was created out of void and darkness by the power of His Word, so it will end quickly.

The prophet Isaiah, several thousands of years ago predicted, "For I will create a new heaven and a new earth; the past events will not be remembered or come to mind."

A new world created by God Himself. A sudden ending to things as they are and a new beginning.

Peter explained it this way: "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat: both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be, in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells"
(2 Peter 3:10-13).

I sincerely believe these scientists are on to something big.

There is, however, a statement in the New Testament which defines the futile pursuit of some who search for truth--"Ever learning, but never coming to an understanding of the truth."

Who knows to what conclusions these discoveries will lead the scientific community. Without an open heart, one can never really find or know the Truth.

As with any scientific discovery, God's amazing creation becomes more and more impressive as we learn about it.

Aside from the "God Particle" event, biblical believers know this about Christ: "For by Him all things were created: the things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible...all things were created by him and for him" (Colossians 1:16).

To know Christ personally, is to know the Truth.

Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Informed. Be Prayerful. Be Active. Be Blessed.