The fascinating deep space images made by the Hubble Space Telescope and released by NASA on March 9, 2004 reveal a startling number of galaxies of various types in a hitherto unexplored "empty" portion of space. The discovery of these objects and the analysis of their characteristics will provide a clearer picture concerning the history of the universe. Within a small angle, only 1/10th the size of the moon, up to 10,000 galaxies were photographed by the Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) and the Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS). The detected galaxies are so far away and so faint that it took a time exposure of one-million-seconds over a period of four months from September 24, 2003 through January 16, 2004. The released images and more information can be reviewed on the Hubble Web site at http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/newsdesk/archive/.

This latest scientific evidence should be of great importance to the Christian Community since it testifies to the vast size and extreme age of the universe. It also makes clear that attempts to refute the age question by suggesting ideas such as "mature creation" or decreased "light travel time" are completely without merit. Further, because astronomical observations are inherently objective and major conclusions readily apparent, a "presuppositionalist" argument advocating a young-earth position is simply a diversion.

But, how should the Genesis 1 creation account be interpreted without seemingly twisting Scripture to conform to science? A well thought out analysis and insightful answer is provided by C. John Collins in his book, Science & Faith Friends or Foes?  Of the possible Genesis interpretations, he contends that the "analogical day" view best complies with the grammatical meaning of the Hebrew text. This means that the "days" of Genesis should be interpreted as being God's work days and not as ordinary 24-hour days. Therefore, they are analogous to man's workdays but not necessarily equal to them. Nevertheless, the important pattern is established that man should work six days and rest on the seventh just as God did. For those who have difficulty with this particular interpretation, Collins' book, available through the PCA CEP Bookstore, is a valuable resource.

At the present time, much attention is being directed toward the exploration of Mars by the remotely controlled vehicles named Spirit and Opportunity. There is no doubt that the successful landing of these rovers and their operation is a spectacular feat and one that testifies to the technical expertise of the American space industry. The major goal of this effort is to determine whether or not water was ever present on Mars. Initial evidence indicates that, at one time, there was. Of course the underlying objective is to eventually determine whether suitable conditions existed for life to begin on that planet. This is important to astrobiologists who are searching for extraterrestrial locations where life might have begun. They cannot accept the fact that God created life on earth by fiat miracles and that God's Word does not give us any reason to believe that life exists anywhere else in the universe.

As time moves on, there are many good reasons why space exploration should continue. But, it is hoped that the United States will not pursue a fiscally irresponsible program intended to establish a space station on the moon as a prelude to sending a manned expedition to Mars. Instead, a more reasonable and cost effective program is to continue launching unmanned space probes and, most importantly, to resume shuttle service missions to maintain and update the Hubble Space Telescope. This should be done, at least, until the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) becomes operational in about the year 2012.

As man continues his quest for knowledge, the heavens will indeed declare the glory of God.

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RE Ray Williams lives in Blairsville, Ga. 

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