Stories appeared in last week’s newspapers touting the discovery of the “God particle” or Higgs boson by physicists. I’m not a scientist, but as I understand it the Higgs boson is a tiny subatomic particle that interacts with other subatomic particles that are building blocks of atoms in a way that slows them down and creates mass. Mass creates inertia or the resistance to movement, thus giving us solid objects or matter. In other words, this discovery helps explain how matter is formed from the fundamental particles of the universe. One scientist called it “the missing cornerstone of particle physics.”

The discovery is one scientists have been hoping for since the existence of such a particle was first theorized in 1964. The gathering of scientists in Geneva responded with a standing ovation when the discovery was presented to them last week.

The Old Testament prophets marveled at God’s creation when they gazed on the night sky, viewed majestic mountains, sat on the beach of beautiful seas, or pondered the wonder of the human body. Today we see so much more and are privileged to marvel at both the complexity and beauty of God’s creation. The Psalmist wrote, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.” The more we learn, the more we have cause to praise Him.

The ultimate question is not how particles interact or which ones cause which interactions. The ultimate question is where the particles came from in the first place. The Psalmist said God “made the heavens with skill” and that is something we understand today more than any time in history.

Pastor Steve Hogg