Cosmic Genesis: Evidence for a Finite Beginning

Modern scientific research proves that space and time, as we know them, appeared at one specific moment. The beginning of the Universe—demonstrated by the extension of the general relativity equations with contributions from Hawking, Ellis, and Penrose—asserts that neither time nor space are eternal; they were born together with matter and energy during the cosmic explosion. This idea is grounded in mathematical rigor, showing the inevitability of the initial moment from which cosmic events begin.

The main strength of this argument lies in observations, starting with the work of Edwin Hubble and confirmed by empirical data, which convincingly demonstrate the expansion of the Universe. This conclusion compelled even scientists such as Einstein to reconsider their views and acknowledge the necessity of an initial impulse. All of this significantly strengthens the hypothesis that the Universe is the result of a grand explosion with a distinct beginning, rather than an infinite state.

When compared to alternative models—such as the stationary state or oscillating universe—the latter rely on hypothetical forces and mechanisms that lack observational support. In contrast, the scientific arguments for the beginning of time are based on mathematical proofs, empirical observations, and the principles of quantum mechanics, where processes require a temporal interval to occur. Even the analogy with the detonation of a grenade—the moment when fragments scatter strictly according to cause and effect—clearly illustrates the necessity of an initial impulse without which matter and energy could not have come into existence.

What are the arguments in favor of the theory that the Universe had a beginning?

The primary scientific argument is that general relativity, extended by the work of Hawking, Ellis, and Penrose, leads to the conclusion that space and time cannot be infinite—they must have originated at a specific, initial moment. In other words, if the equations of relativity are applied to the entire Universe, it follows that the very scale of time has a beginning, which in turn implies that energy and matter came into existence simultaneously with that beginning. This is confirmed by the following quote:

"In a series of works published from 1966 to 1970, three British astrophysicists—Stephen Hawking, George Ellis, and Roger Penrose—extended the equations of relativity by including space and time. As a result, the space-time theorem of the theory of relativity was established. This theorem demonstrated that if the theory of relativity holds true for the Universe, then under very general conditions, space and time must have arisen in the same cosmic explosion that brought energy and matter into existence. In Hawking's words, time itself must have a beginning. The proof of the beginning of time might well be one of the most theologically significant theorems of all time, if the theory of relativity is accepted as true."
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Another argument is that alternative models—such as stationary state or oscillating universe models—rely on hypothetical physical forces or mechanisms that lack observational confirmation. These models essentially try to dismiss the conclusion of the Universe’s beginning, but the absence of empirical evidence in their favor makes the hypothesis of a beginning more convincing:

"For example, stationary state models were based on an imaginary physical force that had not been confirmed by any observation or theoretical deduction. The oscillating universe model depended on an imaginary pulsation mechanism, for which no observational or theoretical evidence existed. These appeals to imaginary forces and phenomena have been the basis for all the cosmological models proposed to refute the 'Big Bang' theory and its implication of the existence of God. The lack of evidence for these models, and the ongoing recourse by non-believing scientists to increasingly strange 'unknown' and 'unknowable' entities, seems to reinforce the theistic positions."
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Yet another important argument comes from observations confirming the expansion of the Universe. Results obtained by astrophysicists, particularly through Edwin Hubble’s work, prompted many scientists—including Einstein—to reassess their worldviews and acknowledge the necessity of a beginning for the Universe:

"If the Universe is the result of an explosion, then at some point in the past this explosion must have had a beginning; there must have been a moment when the explosion started. And if it has a beginning, then there must be a Creator. Einstein’s own worldview did not allow him to accept such a conclusion. Moreover, he himself proposed a new physical force that would precisely refute the existence of the expansion-contraction factor. Only when astronomer Edwin Hubble, with his results, also pointed to the expansion of the Universe in accordance with the predictions of general relativity, was Einstein forced to acknowledge the 'necessity of a beginning' and the 'presence of a supernatural force'."
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It is also argued that according to quantum mechanics, effects occurring within finite time intervals become impossible outside of time. That is, if time has a beginning (coinciding with the origin of space, matter, and energy), then processes that require time could not have occurred before that moment:

"It is interesting that Davis’s arguments against Divine creation could be used against his own hypothesis. Quantum mechanics is based on the concept that quantum effects occur with finite probabilities within finite time intervals. The longer the time interval, the higher the probability of a quantum effect. Outside of time, however, a quantum result is impossible. Therefore, the origin of time (coinciding with the origin of space, matter, and energy) nullifies quantum tunneling as a creative force. A strong confirmation of the claim that space and time must have a beginning is the work of the three British astrophysicists Stephen Hawking, George Ellis, and Roger Penrose. They extended the solutions to the equations of general relativity by incorporating space and time. Their work showed that if these equations are applicable to the Universe, then it is reasonable to assume that time and space must also have a beginning—coinciding with the emergence of matter and energy. In other words, time itself is finite."
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Finally, an analogy with a grenade’s detonation is used: just as the explosion of a grenade has a distinct moment of initiation, a hypothetical explosion of the Universe would also require a specific starting moment, after which matter and energy emerged—indicating a first cause:

"For instance, when a grenade detonates, its fragments fly in all directions from the grenade's axis. As the fragments travel, they collide with matter (air molecules, buildings, furniture, etc.), which slows their movement (braking). If the Universe is the result of an explosion, then this explosion had a beginning—the moment when the pin was pulled. By the simple law of cause and effect, this explosion must have had a First Cause—the One Who pulled the pin."
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Thus, the combination of the above arguments—mathematical proof of the beginning of time based on the extended equations of general relativity, the refutation of alternative models, confirmed empirical observations (such as the expansion of the Universe), and reasoning based on causality and quantum mechanics—provides strong grounds for asserting that the Universe indeed had a specific moment of beginning.