The Hidden Heart of the Cosmos: Comparing with Christian Belief System

This essay compares Brian Swimme's cosmology in "The Hidden Heart of the Cosmos" with Christian beliefs, exploring potential parallels and points of acceptance. It begins by highlighting the shared narrative approach of both cosmology and Christianity in explaining the universe's origin and humanity's role. The essay argues that Swimme's acknowledgement of art, philosophy, and religion makes his theory more accessible to religious audiences. It draws parallels between Swimme's concept of an interconnected universe and Christianity's emphasis on ethical living and the relationship between humanity and the divine. The essay also notes similarities in the description of creation, the significance of celestial bodies, and the concept of an infinite, life-giving force. Ultimately, the essay suggests that Swimme's cosmology aligns with religious sentiments, particularly in its depiction of Earth and its creator, paving the way for potential acceptance within religious frameworks. Desklib provides access to this and other solved assignments for students.

Running Head: RELIGION AND COSMOLOGY
Religion and Cosmology
Name of Student
Name of University
Author note

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RELIGION AND COSMOLOGY
Apart from its poetic appeal and universal accessibility, The Hidden Heart of the Cosmos
written by cosmologist Brian Swimme affords multi-dimensional perspectives to critics if
compared to western religions. The essay aims to compare the proposed theories in the book with
Christianity and determine whether this new cosmology would be accepted by religions. Quoting
lines from the book to concretize the argument, the essay would conclude with a proper
conjecture about the parallels in scientific theories and religious beliefs.
The parallels with Christianity is observed at the very outset with the author noting that
“Science is not the same as cosmology, even when a cosmology is deeply informed by science.
Cosmology is the story of the birth, development, and destiny of the universe, told with the aim of
assisting humans in their task of identifying their roles within the great drama”( Swimme, 2017
page:98). Christianity, as observed in the different version of the Holy Bible is the story of the
world’s inception, of Mankind’s fall, and the resurrection of the Almighty’s son to assist human
beings in their way of life (Garrette: volume 2). Both the Bible and Swimme’s book echoes
similar thoughts in the belief that the Universe has a center (God in the bible and consciousness
in the book); and everything else is a manifestation of exploring that.
Simme’s theory would be well received by religions simply on account of its
acknowledgement of art, philosophy and religious beliefs. As the author declares: “Cosmology
is a wisdom tradition drawing upon not just science but religion and art and philosophy. Its
principle aim is not the gathering of facts and theories as the transformation of the human.
Cosmology aims at embedding a human being in the numinous dynamics of our solar system” (
Swimm, 2017 page:31)The Bible was written with the intention of showing people the right way
of leading life; a considerable section of the holy book talks about the virtues of human beings
and dictates followers to abstain from the vices.

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RELIGION AND COSMOLOGY
Like most religions, Christianity aims to instill in people a zeal for living life
meaningfully, resorting to ethical means of survival. The book is keen on portraying the
relationships of man with different species of the planet and how everything is interlinked to an
almighty existence. Simme echoes similar opinions when he says, “Our natural genetic
inheritance presents us with the possibility of farming deeply banded relationships throughout
all the ten million species of life as well as throughout the non-living components of the
universe. Cosmology, when it is alive and healthy in a culture, evokes in the human a deep zest
for life”.(Swimme, 2017. Page:36)
The Old Testament of the Bible dedicates most of its content to discussing the story of
creation. The time and state before creation is described in the Bible as a dark and empty infinity
(Edersheim, 2013). The sun is considered the source of life, the magnificent haven that radiates
energy. It is because of the universality of the concepts presented in the book, that it will be
willingly accepted by religions. The thoughts are in accordance and harmony with the religious
sentiments, especially when it comes to the descriptions of the earth and its creator:
“The path of white that we are dreamily contemplating has the power of gods”(
Swimme, 2017. Page:53).
Most religious beliefs draw heavily from the myths associated with the celestial figures
for teaching the followers on the principles. The author echoes similar thoughts in his assertion
that “In a culture where cosmology is living, children are taught by the Sun and the Moon, the
rainfall and the sunlight….”(Swimme, 2017 page:42)

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RELIGION AND COSMOLOGY
There is a mention of an Abysmal chasm, an infinite dimension that is not to be explored
by finite beings. This infinity is the creator who nourishes the species on the planet. The book
holds similar thoughts in the belief that the universe was created out of the Big Bang and had
been ever since endowed with regenerative potentials : “The universe emerges out of an all-
nourishing abyss…. Not a thing, nor a collection of things…but rather a power that gives birth
and that absorbs existence at a thing’s annihilation” (Swimme, 2017. page:100).

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RELIGION AND COSMOLOGY
Bibliography:
Bird, Michael F. The Gospel of the Lord: How the Early Church Wrote the Story of Jesus. Wm.
B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2014.
Edersheim, Alfred. Bible History: Old Testament. Ravenio Books, 2013.
Konradt, Matthias, et al. Israel, Church, and the Gentiles in the Gospel of Matthew. Baylor
University Press, 2014.
Swimme, Brian Thomas. The hidden heart of the cosmos: Humanity and the new story. Orbis
Books, 2017.
Wyatt, Nicolas. The mythic mind: essays on cosmology and religion in Ugaritic and Old
Testament literature. Routledge, 2014.