This chapter was quite a depressing one, dealing with the possibility that the universe will end either with the dispersal out of the energy available (based on the concept that energy cannot be created or destroyed only converted from one form to another) or the gravitational forces of attraction between the bodies in space will lead to the universe collapsing back on itself in a sort of "Big Crunch" culminating in the production of a massive black hole.
On the whole the underlining themes of the chapter do little to deal with a god that creates in whatever way he chooses to. But deals with the idea that if there is a God his eventual plan must be to destroy the universe that he created.
While I am sure that this book is going to lead on to look at where God fits into the whole end of the universe concept Polkinghorne misses what I consider to be one key possibility, one that is addressed by as basic a source as the BBC website.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/origins/theend/index.shtml
Here the following is stated :-
"There are three alternative scenarios for the future fate of the Universe. If the expansion continues forever then the Universe is destined for the Big Freeze, gradually pulled apart into a cold desolate wasteland of dying stars and black holes. If space stops stretching and springs back on itself, it will shrink until galaxies start colliding in the Big Crunch - terminating in the mother of all black holes. However, there is a more peaceful option. The final scenario involves the Universe gradually slowing down to a halt. With the whole Universe balanced precisely, cosmic catastrophe would be averted and space would be saved. At least for a while. Eventually the Universe would succumb to the Big Freeze, it would just take a lot longer."
(italics my own)
there is a distinct possibility that as the universe becomes more spread out a state of equilibrium will be reached and the gravitational attraction will be perfectly balanced to ensure an end to expansion and insufficient force to pull the universe back on itself.
This would sit perfectly with the idea of a creator God who is in control and has a plan for the universe he made.
One of the other things that comes across in this chapter that I find difficult to deal with as a scientist is the way Polkinghorne provides the impression that the answers and theories provided by cosmologists are set in stone and have been tested. Although the scientific model seems to fit the universe as we see it there are still many things that we do not know 90% of the universe is thought to consist of dark matter of which we have no understanding at all.
As with all Scientific thought, great care needs to be taken to ensure that we do not give the impression that we have all the answers specifically in light of previous scientists who's ideas have been quashed by subsequent generations.
At the moment I feel that this book has possibly been written with an agenda to link science and religion with many more concessions being given by the theologians than the Scientists.
I hope that subsequent chapters go on to deal with the concepts of trust, hope and love and are not simply grounded in scientific premise.
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