Dark Energy my hind leg!
The Universe is expanding because the force of the original Big Bang is still at work. The force we call gravity diminishes as the square of the distance between objects, so the objects in motion tend to stay in motion and will continue on in the same direction until acted upon by another object.
The farther out from the center you go the less effect gravity has so objects will seem to speed up.........
I like your explanation. I think Dark Energy is like Phlogiston theory or the Philosophers Stone. A theory that many believed was true at the time but was later proved to be wrong.
My understanding is the Law of Thermodynamics ASSUMES an isolated (closed)system. Meaning: there is no subsequent application of energy into the system (our Universe) after the initial start (Big Bang).
The Holy Spirit can not be accepted as a rational explanation; hence, dark matter/energy.