"A Law Such as Gravity"

Much has been written in the past few days about a curious sentence by Stephen Hawking, widely considered the smartest man in the world.

Part of an excerpt from a book to be published later this month, it goes like this:

“Because there is a law such as gravity, the Universe can and will create itself from nothing.”

Fr. Robert Barron weighs in with a pithy, "If Hawking is saying that the universe... simply came forth from Nothing, then I just throw up my hands."

Over at Al Kresta's daily radio show, Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J., (whose own new book examines proofs for the existence of God) does some hands-throwing-up of his own -- as does the host himself.

They all wax eloquent on the same idea, that "gravity" is not "nothing," so therefore if gravity allowed the universe to construct itself, it didn't construct itself out of nothing. Which is very good logic, as far as it goes -- unfortunately, few people seem to pay much attention to logic these days. People seem to think that logic is a trick, and that catching a person being illogical is not the same as proving him wrong.

My take on it is a bit different. It's hard to be certain without seeing the rest of the paragraph, but what Hawking seems to mean by saying by "a law such as gravity" is that a whole set of laws, of which gravity is one, exist, and because they exist, they require that "the Universe" create itself. How or why they require this remains to be explained, but let's suppose for the sake of argument that he does explain them.

So what? Is Hawking seriously trying to say that the laws that govern matter existed before there was any matter? That's a very strange claim. Where did they come from? And what were they, if they preceded space and time and matter?

Hawkins seems to think he's sidestepping the "was the universe created or not" argument by opening up a new one -- "were the laws of nature created or not"?

I fail to see the improvement.

Want to read Newman but cant afford to buy an extra bookshelf?

Info from Liguori's website:

This timely compilation of John Henry Cardinal Newman's own words on a wide variety of subjects will inspire readers to live an authentic Christian life. Brother Berry's careful selections convey the heart of Newman's teachings, story, and spirit, deepening your familiarity with this saintly and influential man of God.

If you've been wanting to pick up Newman's works, but find yourself intimidated by the idea of tackling "The Idea of a University" or some of his other great works, this is a great introduction to the thought and spirituality of a man who will beatified in a few short days. I'm loving my copy- it's packed with some of the "greatest hits" of the eminently quotable Newman. Snag one at liguori.org, and thank them for their support of the Son Rise Morning Show!

Guests for Tuesday, 9/7/2010

Kevin Schmiesing is online at catholichistory.net.

Tony Beshara is online at thejobsearchsolution.com.

Deacon James Keating, author of "Seminary Theology" can be found at ipfpublications.com.

Watch Life on the Rock this Thursday at 9pm on EWTN for their special on Wyoming Catholic College- you can find them online at wyomingcatholiccollege.com.

Bill Donaghy is online at twistedmystics.blogspot.com.

Cheryl Dickow is online at bezalelbooks.com and integratedcatholiclife.org.


Paula Westwood is online at createdorder.blogspot.com.

Rich Leonardi links us to an article from Catholic News Agency about a possible November consistory.

Dr Kevin Vost is online at drvost.com.


Danielle Bean is online at daniellebean.com.


Rita Heikenfeld is online at abouteating.com.

Steven Greydanus is online at decentfilms.com.

Amy Bonaccorso, author of "How to get to 'I Do': A Catholic Woman's Guide to Dating."

Guests for 9/2/2010

Msgr Eugene Morris is online at pcj.edu.

Fr James Kubicki is online at apostleshipofprayer.org.

Fr Philip DeVous is online at acton.org.

Send your questions for Catholic counselor Kevin Prendergast to sonrise@sacredheartradio.com.

David Mills is online at firstthings.com.


Tom Zordani, author of "Faith Finances"


Rita Heikenfeld is online at abouteating.com.

Dan Egan is online at bibletidbits.blogspot.com.

Woodene Koenig Bricker's article on godparenting is available at osv.com.


Anthony Buono is online at avemariasingles.com.

Deacon Mike Bickerstaff's article on mature faith can be found here.

Chris Findley's article on the Church as a hospital is online here.

Kevin Wright is online at wrtareligioustravel.com.

You Think You're Unprepared...

Are you ready for the new translation of the missal?

Don't worry, neither am I. My parish is waiting to see what the Archdiocese is going to provide, and the Archdiocese is waiting for... something or other, I'm not sure what. But it's important, I'm sure. Until then, I'm on my own.

But it could be worse. And it is worse, apparently, in England, where the bishops are doing (according to the Catholic Herald newspaper) nothing at all.

The story even shows a screen shot of the USCCB website for the new translation. To be fair, it's a very nice web site. It includes sample passages, all sorts of parish resources, articles and videos and FAQs, and even a little ticker counting down the days until November 27, 2011, when "the new missal" will become "the missal."

More than 450 days to go seems a little long to me, but then, Advent will be a nice time to begin. I'm not complaining.

Especially after reading that. So what if my parish wants to wait a few more months! Or a year. Or until the week before (just kidding, Parish Council!). Our bishops have made sure that I can start now. Time to start downloading.

The Shrine in the Mine

What would you do if you were trapped for months 2,300 feet underground in a cave?

Our family has been talking about that. The 33 miners discovered alive after a mining accident in Chile Aug. 5 will remain in their tomb-like prison for months -- possibly until Christmas, news media are reporting. They haven't yet been told how long it will take to reach them.

They are losing weight and several are showing signs of depression, although others are mugging for television cameras and, apparently, keeping their spirits up. Food, water, and air are all limited, although the mining company drilled new tubes to supply all three.

According to CNN, the miners have asked for a Chilean flag and a crucifix. The flag, presumably, is to help bolster their faith in their countrymen. They plan to use the crucifix to set up a shrine.

There is nothing like adversity to sharpen the mind. When faced with the possibility of weeks or months (surely the men know it will be months) trapped together, and knowing all that could go wrong, these men know who to turn to. While those above ground are working to the best of their ability, and as fast as possible, there is only one task for the miners -- to live through the next weeks and months in what will surely be, if they are not already, foul and unhealthy conditions.

They will need each other, and they will need God. Surely they see, as we usually forget, how thin the line is between life and death, and how much faith is needed to face both. I imagine that the men who know their psalms are praying De Profundus -- "Out of the depths I cry unto you, O Lord!"

We are all living in the depths, we all need God's mercy and forgiveness. But the 33 men trapped, literally, in the depths of the earth need our prayers as well as their own. A partial indulgence is promised to everyone who prays Psalm 129; whether or not that is of interest to you, please go here and pray it once for the miners who won't just be praying it -- they will be living it.

Guests for Wednesday, 9/1/2010

Paula Westwood blogs at createdorder.blogspot.com.

Eric Sammons is online at ericsammons.com.


Tim Bete is online at thankfulhome.tv.

Anthony Buono is online at avemariasingles.com.

Mike Aquilina is online at fathersofthechurch.com.


Fr James Kubicki is online at apostleshipofprayer.org.

Amy Bonaccorso, author of "How to get to 'I Do'"


Fr Philip DeVous is online at acton.org.

Kevin Wright is online at wrtareligioustravel.com.


Fr Michael Sparough and Fr Tim Hipskind, authors of "What's Your Decision?"


Madeleine Scherb, author of "A Taste of Heaven"


Info on upcoming Cursillo events in the diocese of Covington is online at covingtoncursillo.org.

Fr Philip Neri Powell, author of "Treasures Holy and Mystical"