J. P. Moreland

Christian philosopher and Biola University professor J.P. Moreland writes:

“In their recent book, Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow claim that the laws of nature are consistent with the universe popping into existence from nothing, and in fact, they affirm that this is exactly what happened … Apparently, this desperate move results from the fact that they recognize that the universe had a beginning and they want to deflect the need for a transcendent Cause to explain the universe’s origin.  To my knowledge, they do not argue that the laws of nature themselves created the universe, and that’s a good thing.  Why?  Because the laws of nature are formal causes that direct the “flow” of causation, but they are not efficient causes that produce anything whatsoever.  Thus, this claim, if made, would be a simple category fallacy.  However, their actual claim is just as egregious, and that for two reasons.”

Read more: http://www.jpmoreland.com/2010/09/22/scientism-makes-scientists-laughable/