Destiny of the Universe

This book is a critical philosophical journey, starting in the world of science, but ultimately in pursuit of the Great Unknown that has become more and more known in the lives of so many people. It is not about an anthropomorphic God or religious projection, but a Creator who can be better known through the discoveries of science. It is not limited to scientific evidence, but thoroughly grounded in an easily readable and well-presented account of the latest scientific discoveries and theories developed by astronomers, physicists, and geneticists. It is about the Great Unknown beyond and behind all that we can see through our telescopes and microscopes. 


This book is not a religious apologetic, speaking to those inside the fold of any church, but to those living in its Diaspora, who are conversant with the latest science and critical philosophy. It is a book for rational people who know something about the barren interstellar space of our universe, surrounded by black holes, quasars, and pulsars, and may feel quite lost in its vastness and extreme coldness. It is for all those doubters, skeptics, and even nihilists in our midst, who have an open mind and do not hold scientific dogma with religious fervor. The reader will learn that it is not so much science, but misguided and narrow philosophy that tells us that there is nothing beyond or behind the Big Bang providing purpose and destiny to the universe to which we belong.


 “A lucid interface between science and religion. Verschuuren’s distinction between the ‘Big Bang’ and creation, between purpose and function, and his critique of why there is something rather than nothing are illuminating and thought-provoking.” —Owen Gingerich, Professor Emeritus of Astronomy and of the History of Science, Harvard University, Senior astronomer emeritus at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. 


“A welcome help to integrate scientific knowledge into the readers’ world views. It will end up strengthening their curiosity regarding life in a marvelous universe.” —Professor Werner Arber, Nobel Laureate in Medicine, President of the Pontifical Academy of Science 


“A profound, yet eminently readable, exploration of where God and spiritual values fit in a world of galaxies, biological evolution, and brain processes.” —Francisco J. Ayala, University Professor and Donald Bren Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of California, Irvine. Recipient of the Templeton Prize in 2010. 


“While microscopes and telescopes have enormously increased our understanding of the world, they can also lead to a kind of tunnel vision. This very readable and reasonable book tries to show that reality encompasses more than can be measured, most notably the minds that conceived those devices and the Mind that conceived the world they study.” —Stephen M. Barr, Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Delaware, Director of the Bartol Research Institute. Researcher in theoretical particle physics. 


“The search for life’s meaning today is ever more human; it stimulates, provokes, and questions us in ways that drive us beyond science in the search for satisfaction, while at the same time scientific data furnish the stimuli. Verschuuren provides an excellent example of his journey.” 

—George V. Coyne, S.J., Professor of Astronomy at Le Moyne College, Syracuse, NY, and former Director of the Vatican Observatory.