In Romans 4:17, how does the claim that God can call “into existence the things that do not exist” align with scientific understanding of matter and origins?

I. Romans 4:17 in Context

Romans 4:17 states, “He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not yet exist.” In this passage, the apostle Paul is pointing to Abraham’s faith in a God who can create and sustain life from nothing. While this verse is largely theological—speaking of Divine power over life and history—it also resonates with questions of how the universe began and how matter came into existence.

II. The Meaning of “Calling Into Existence the Things That Do Not Exist”

The phrase “calls into being what does not yet exist” affirms that God is capable of speaking reality into existence without reliance on preexisting material. This reflects the broader biblical teaching that all things are created “ex nihilo” (Latin for “out of nothing”).

“Neh. 9:6 attests, ‘You alone are the LORD. You created the heavens, the highest heavens with all their host... You give life to all things, and the host of heaven worships You.’” This passage parallels the same idea that God alone fashioned all matter and life.

III. Scientific Views on Matter and the Universe’s Beginning

1. Big Bang Cosmology and a Definitive Beginning

Modern cosmology has long debated whether the universe had a definite starting point. The Big Bang model, supported by evidence such as the cosmic microwave background radiation discovered by Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson in 1965, indicates the universe expanded from a singularity. This suggests that time, space, and matter had a beginning—an insight that can be seen as consistent with the concept of creation from nothing.

2. Conservation of Matter and Energy

Scientific laws like the conservation of matter and energy imply that nothing in the natural realm spontaneously appears or vanishes. However, these laws describe observed processes within an existing universe; they do not explain the initial origin of matter. The claim of Romans 4:17 transcends these scientific principles by positing a supernatural cause who establishes the fundamental fabric of reality before physical laws even come into play.

3. Intelligent Design Arguments

A number of scientific observations concerning complexity point to an intelligent cause. Proponents point to the “fine-tuning” of universal constants—gravitational, electromagnetic, and strong and weak nuclear forces—as indicators that the universe is calibrated for life. The intricate complexity found in biological systems, such as DNA’s information-rich structure, has also been offered as evidence of a designed origin. From this perspective, a Designer “calling into being” fits with the notion that purpose and specificity emerged from a Divine intellect rather than random processes.

IV. Alignment with Romans 4:17

1. Consistent with a Supernatural Cause

The idea that God “gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not yet exist” aligns with a scenario in which the universe’s finely tuned and information-laden nature stems from a supernatural intelligence. The biblical description does not contradict observed scientific principles; rather, it explains the ultimate cause behind them—One powerful enough to create both the laws of physics and the matter these laws govern.

2. Mirroring the Principle of a Beginning

As scientists identify that physical reality had a single point of origin, the biblical account confirms it was God who initiated that beginning. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). This perfectly dovetails with the Big Bang concept of time and space unfolding from an initial event. While naturalistic theories stop at the event’s threshold, biblical revelation provides the Agency responsible.

3. Not a Scientific Contradiction, But a Metaphysical Explanation

Romans 4:17 offers a theological statement about how God can command non-existent things into existence. Science, by definition, measures and studies the natural order, while Scripture includes both natural and supernatural dimensions. Therefore, this passage is not dismantled by physics or biology; it describes the transcendent agency behind physics and biology.

V. Archaeological and Historical Corroborations

1. Ancient Manuscript Evidence

Archaeological discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls illustrate the consistent transmission of the biblical text, showing that the central themes—including creation—have been faithfully preserved for millennia. These texts, found between 1947 and 1956, date back to before the time of Christ and confirm the historical continuity of Scripture.

2. Historical and Geological Observations

Excavations in the Middle East have repeatedly confirmed historical details that align with the biblical record—such as references to names, cities, and cultural practices in the correct context. Though the age of the earth and geological formations are debated, proponents of a shorter biblical timeline cite examples like soft tissue found in dinosaur fossils, arguing such specimens challenge long ages. While interpretations differ, the fundamental point remains: the notion of a God who made all things has not been contradicted by physical evidence.

3. Resurrection Acclaim and Miraculous Events

In Romans, Paul discusses faith in a God who raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 4:24–25). Historical and textual evidence has been explored widely in modern times (e.g., documented by investigators like Lee Strobel, William Lane Craig, and Gary Habermas), suggesting rational grounding for belief in the Resurrection. The credibility of Christ’s resurrection further underlines the power of God who can bring life out of non-life, consistent with the notion that He can call into existence anything He decrees.

VI. Philosophical Reflections

1. First Cause Reasoning

Classical philosophy posits that every effect has a cause, leading to the conclusion that an uncaused cause—God—must exist. The God described in Romans 4:17 stands as the ultimate cause behind the universe. This lines up with the concept that the finite cannot create itself; rather, the infinite (God) must initiate matter, space, and time.

2. Purpose and Meaning

If the universe were purely materialistic, and everything arose by blind chance, establishing ultimate meaning or purpose becomes challenging. However, if there is a Creator who calls into existence what formerly did not exist, this implies intentionality in creation. Human beings, in turn, can find purpose in alignment with that divine intention and design.

3. Miracles and the Supernatural

Romans 4:17 subtly touches on miracles: God’s power includes giving “life to the dead.” Just as the material universe did not exist until God created it, life itself springs from His hand. Claims of modern or biblical miracles and healings point to this same truth—that the natural realm is not a closed system but open to intervention by its Creator.

VII. Conclusion

Romans 4:17 asserts that God has the power to call into existence realities that previously did not exist. Far from contradicting scientific understandings of matter and origins, this assertion aligns with the notion that the universe had a beginning—a fact supported by cosmological observations—and must have had an ultimate cause. The biblical witness, corroborated by historical and archaeological findings, presents the God of Scripture as that cause, creating with intent and purpose.

When individuals investigate the origins of matter, the precise fine-tuning of the cosmos, and the reliable transmission of biblical texts, they find that the testimony of Romans 4:17 stands in harmony with both faith and reason. This passage, therefore, does not conflict with science but amplifies the fundamental question behind it: Who or what brought everything into being? The answer Romans offers is a God uniquely capable of speaking existence out of nothing, sustaining it, and inviting humanity to recognize His creative power.