However, as his life is being celebrated around the world, it is imperative that we reflect on a few things we know about him. In this post, I will take a look at some things we know about Stephen Hawking and the only reason I feel sad about him.
Writing in Christianity Today about the death of Hawking, James Macintyre, described him as “the peerless scientist and leading atheist whose curiosity about the universe shaped our understanding of modern cosmology.”
Similarly, a statement reported to have been released by Hawking’s family announcing his death also recognised that “He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years. His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humour inspired people across the world.”
Snippets from Hawking’s biography
- His full name is Professor Stephen William Hawking and was born on 8th January 1942 in Oxford, England;
- He wanted to study mathematics at the University College, Oxford. But Mathematics was not available there, so he pursued physics instead;
- In addition to the Phd he obtained in 1965, Hawkings had 13 honorary degrees in his life time;
- At the age of 21, he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease which made doctors think he would die within 2 years. But he lived for additional 53 years;
- He became wheelchair-bound and dependent on a computerised voice system for communication;
- He published many books but the most popular ones include: A Brief History of Time, Black Holes and Baby Universes and Other Essays, The Universe in a Nutshell, The Grand Design and My Brief History.
- He had three children and three grandchildren.
The one thing that makes me sad about Hawking
We would all agree that Hawking was an extraordinary man by all means. But the only thing that makes me unhappy about him is to have heard that he remained an atheist throughout his life.
And if that report is true, then it saddens my heart to note that death has now made it too late for him to change his mind about the question of God.
Unfortunately, the same God whom he rejected on Earth will be the same God whom he, just like everyone else, would face in judgement. As the Bible clearly states,
“Everyone must die once, and after that be judged by God.”
(Hebrews 9:27, Good News Translation)
Reference: Stephen Hawking, Brief Biography; http://www.hawking.org.uk/about-stephen.html, accessed 14/03/2018
©Copyright 2018 | Victor Uyanwanne
Victors Corner Blog 
It’s sad to hear that Steven Hawkins died, but like you; the question remains if he accepted Jesus before he died because if not, then he now knows there is a God.
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I do not have any records to show that he accepted Jesus Christ before he died. All we know is that he never acknowledged the existence of God while alive. Having now to discover that there is God after his death, indeed, has become too late. How I wish all living atheists will learn from this before it becomes too late for them as well.
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while we are on that, We must also note that “God is forgiving”
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Yes I agree with you that God is forgiving. But the forgiveness has to be received during one’s lifetime, not after death. There is no forgiveness in the grave!
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You’re right, Victor. He now knows that there is God to whom he must give an account.
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All right Barbara. Thanks you for reading and commenting
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