Stephen Hawking, one of the world’s most renowned scientists who was known for his contributions to the world of theoretical physics, sadly passed away on March 14, 2018. Not only was Hawking a champion of scientific knowledge who made great contributions that will benefit society as long as God allows society to continue (God does use evil people to serve his purposes too), but he was also a strong advocate for atheism. Hawking once stated,

When people ask me if a god created the universe, I tell them that the question itself makes no sense. Time didn’t exist before the big bang, so there is no time for God to make the universe in. It’s like asking directions to the edge of the earth; The Earth is a sphere; it doesn’t have an edge; so looking for it is a futile exercise. We are each free to believe what we want, and it’s my view that the simplest explanation is; there is no god. No one created our universe,and no one directs our fate. This leads me to a profound realization; There is probably no heaven, and no afterlife either. We have this one life to appreciate the grand design of the universe, and for that I am extremely grateful.

While we can appreciate his accomplishments for mankind, as Christians, we must mourn for him and those like him who are in rebellion against their creator and ultimately die in that state. You see, Hawking knew there is a God–he was not an ignorant man. The bible is very clear that Hawking knew he had a creator and knew that he was ultimately accountable to him. But Hawking, like every other human being in this world, suppressed this truth. He, like every other human being in this world, was born into a state of enmity with God. Romans 1:18-20 says,

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Stephen Hawking had no excuse for his rebellion and hatred toward his creator, yet, this was his natural state. Romans 5:12 says, “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” While Hawking used modern machinery, medicine, and scientific-technological advancement to prolong his physical life for a number of years which would have been impossible many years ago, his knowledge was no match for the wrath of God who decreed the wages of sin–death (Romans 6:23). He, on his own, not even with the scientific world rallied around him, could not escape the wrath of God. He was dead in his trespasses and sins, like the rest of mankind (Ephesians 2). And sadly, with his physical death, which is appointed unto all men once (Hebrews 9:27), comes the judgment.

Stephen Hawking denied God. Stephen Hawking rejected Christ. Stephen Hawking was a fool.

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
    They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;
   there is none who does good.

Psalm 14:1

You see, Stephen Hawking knew God existed, but suppressed this truth with illogical arguments. “Time did not exist before the big bang, so there is no time for God to make the universe,” he says. But his own scientific knowledge defeats this argument. He knows that something, even time, cannot be created from nothing from a scientific vantage point. He knows that all creation(s) need a creator. Yet, because of his natural rebellion against God, he spent his entire life fighting, suppressing, and rejecting God, yet could not escape Him.

Why did he do this? Because he was deluded.

The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

We, as Christians, know that what God does is right and good. We know that it takes an act of God’s mercy to regenerate the hearts of the wicked so that they might believe (Titus 3:5). We also know that God elects and calls a people to Himself (Romans 8:28-30) and that all whom God gives to the Son will come to Him (John 6:37). We do not know exactly why God elects some to be saved and others not–we only know that His election is according to His good purpose and perfect will. We do know, however, that God does elect some for salvation (Romans 9:23) and some for destruction (Romans 9:22) and that He is glorified in the display of all of His divine attributes, including His wrath.

We must remember, as Christians, that none of us deserve the election, calling, and salvation that was given to us and prepared for us. Stephen Hawking was no more wicked than you or I. We all are sinners and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). Yet, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us, the ungodly (Romans 5:6-8). This is why it is imperative that we proclaim this good news to all-especially to those like Hawking who refuse to come to the light for fear of his evil works being exposed. This was his judgment (John 3:19-20).

Take the gospel to the ends of the world.

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Romans 10:14-17