Brief Answer:
Some of the greatest discoveries in science already verify the existence of the supernatural. The cause of the universe is beyond or transcends nature because nature is what was created, meaning the cause is necessarily beyond nature—supernatural.
Detailed Answer:
The Evidence Is Already In
Helpful to start with definitions so we are talking about the same things.
Definition of “supernatural”[i]:
1: of or relating to an order of existence beyond the visible observable universe
especially: of or relating to God or a god, demigod, spirit, or devil
2a: departing from what is usual or normal especially so as to appear to transcend the laws of nature
2b: attributed to an invisible agent (such as a ghost or spirit)
There are different definitions, but what most people seem to have a problem with is something beyond all nature (all the matter, energy, space and time of our natural universe), and able to act beyond the restrictions of natural laws. Therefore, we will focus on these properties.
Science has already demonstrated the universe—all of nature—had a beginning, and therefore, whatever caused all of nature to come into existence is necessarily “an order of existence beyond the visible observable universe.”
In fact, the cause is beyond, transcends, and ontologically prior[ii] to any natural thing, even a part of nature beyond the observable universe, or even part of a multiverse. This is explained in The BIGGER Cause and Possible Causes of The Universe posts.
Additionally, that latter post as well as parts 1, 2, and 3 of the Personal Cause or Purely Nature posts explain why believing the cause of the universe is a personal and purposeful agent (fitting the properties of the biblical God) is the only reasonable belief based on the evidence.
And, this personal agent is also capable of transcending the laws of nature. This is a miracle by definition, and is also explained in The BIGGER Cause post.
There are other ways to explore evidence for the supernatural, which will be explored in later posts, but this should be enough as naturalism has already been invalidated by science. The majority of scientists and the majority of people in the world believe in the supernatural[iii].
Although belief in God or the supernatural varies significantly by field of study. Surveys show there are higher levels of belief in the supernatural among: chemists, physicists, biologists. Lower levels of belief among social scientists. Below are some quotes brought about by the scientist’s discoveries:
Alan Sandage (astronomer): “It was my science that drove me to the conclusion that the world is much more complicated than science… It is only through the supernatural that I can understand the mystery of existence.”[iv]
Arthur Eddington (astrophysicist): “The idea of a universal mind or Logos would be, I think, a fairly plausible inference from the present state of scientific theory.”[v]
Frank Tipler (Professor of Mathematical Physics): “From the perspective of the latest physical theories, Christianity is not a mere religion, but an experimentally testable science.”[vi]
Arthur L. Schawlow (Professor of Physics at Stanford University, 1981 Nobel Prize in physics): “It seems to me that when confronted with the marvels of life and the universe, one must ask why and not just how. The only possible answers are religious. … I find a need for God in the universe and in my own life.”[vii]
Wernher von Braun (Pioneer rocket engineer) “I find it as difficult to understand a scientist who does not acknowledge the presence of a superior rationality behind the existence of the universe as it is to comprehend a theologian who would deny the advances of science.”[viii]
Arno Penzias (Nobel prize in physics): “Astronomy leads us to a unique event, a universe which was created out of nothing and delicately balanced to provide exactly the conditions required to support life.” Penzias adds: “This is strong evidence that something beyond physics is involved.”[ix]
Robert Jastrow (self-proclaimed agnostic, NASA scientist and head of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies): “For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries.”[x]
Regardless of who believes what, the most important point is:
To believe the supernatural does not exist is demonstrably going against the evidence, and making people dangerously unaware of the bigger picture we are situated within.
Those Who Believe in Naturalism Should Reconsider
Finally, While proponents try to portray naturalism as being the rational belief, once you recognize what must be true if only nature (matter, energy, space and time) exist, it changes the whole picture of life for those who believe in naturalism. Not so rational now.
If all we are is matter and energy, nothing beyond nature like a spiritual component, then every single atom in your brain is 100% controlled by natural laws—not “you.” What this means about life is explained in posts about Freedom and Morality, and briefly noted below:
- Every thought you have, decision you make, action you take, feeling you experience, and situation in your life is absolutely controlled and determined by antecedent conditions (how the state of nature was) and natural laws (describing how nature acts). You have no more control over your life than a rock rolling down a hill.
- There is no such thing as free will, therefore there is is no justified true beliefs, absolutely nothing anyone can say is truly right or wrong, no such thing as justice, love is entirely manufactured, and even more consequences you would have to accept as the way life really is.
[i] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supernatural
[ii]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontological_priority#:~:text=An%20ontological%20priority%20is%20an%20existential%20type,ontological%20priority%20cannot%20be%20said%20to%20occur.
[iii] Majority of people in the world think the supernatural exists, supported by multiple large-scale global surveys. For example, Pew Research Center. (2012). The global religious landscape: A report on the size and distribution of the world’s major religious groups as of 2010. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2012/12/18/global-religious-landscape-exec/; WIN-Gallup International. (2015). Religion and atheism index 2014. Gallup International Association. https://www.gallup-international.bg/en/publications/religion-and-atheism-index-2014/; Pew Research Center. (2009). Scientists and belief. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2009/11/05/scientists-and-belief/; Ecklund, E. H., & Scheitle, C. P. (2007). Religion among academic scientists: Distinctions, disciplines, and demographics. Social Problems, 54(2), 289–307. https://doi.org/10.1525/sp.2007.54.2.289. Belief in God or the supernatural varies significantly by field of study. Higher levels of belief among: chemists, physicists, biologists. Lower levels of belief among: social scientists, elite university faculty.
[iv] Sandage, A. (1985). A scientist reflects on religious belief. Truth: A Journal of Modern Thought, 1, 53–66.
[v] Heeren, F. 1995. Show Me God. Wheeling, IL, Searchlight Publications, p. 233.
[vi] Tipler, F. J. (2007). The physics of Christianity. New York, NY: Doubleday, p 3.
[vii] Schawlow, A. L. (1980, July). Interview. Christianity Today, 24(12), 22–24.
[viii] von Braun, W. (1972). Interview. Christianity Today, 16(14), 32–35.
[ix] Penzias, A. (1978). The origin of the universe. Physics Today, 31(7), 32–40.
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2995181
[x] Jastrow, R. 1978. God and the Astronomers. New York, W.W. Norton, p. 116.
