These questions have puzzled experts and laymen alike down the ages and even more so in the third millennium with the advancement of scientific thought. They are questions that I too have wrestled with, having spent some thirty years studying both earth sciences and theology.

The sceptic would argue that there is no creator behind the universe; one theory is that it all began with gasses, thrown out by the "big bang," condensing to form galaxies of stars. In their view the account of creation in Genesis has no scientific basis and consequently can be dismissed. Mankind is just the next logical step in evolution.

The Christian would reply that there is a creative, rational Being behind creation; that Genesis is not a scientific manual explaining the how of creation, but rather a tiny glimpse into the mind and purpose of God, the why of creation.

If we need to know how the universe happened we should refer to astronomical textbooks. If we want to know why it happened we should refer to the Bible.

The Bible also tells us that human beings were made in God's image and are therefore creative beings too. We can reflect God's greatness, be it in the field of music, art, and creative thought or in making a warm and loving environment in which to bring up our children.

How do you stand? When gazing at the sky on a clear night, or seeing the miracle of creation in the birth of a baby, do you side with the sceptic who sees such things in terms of a conglomeration of molecules without purpose … thrown together purely by chance? Or do you side with the Christian who sees the hand of a loving creator fashioning and sustaining the universe; concerned not only with the vastness of the stars but with the perfection of the smallest parasite and creating mankind in his own image for a purpose?