Program Review: Beyond the Stars (Ep. 5-8)

Hi everyone, if you are reading this on the Sabbath, then I’d like to wish you a wonderful Sabbath and wish you God’s abundant blessings!

True to the Word is continuing with our science thread for our program reviews. There are many great Christian science programs out there that teach us about the universe, while giving our Creator the glory. It truly is a joy to watch them to learn about God’s creation and worship Him, for His works and character. So please join me as I review, Beyond the Stars, a series of short, but in-depth videos about the Cosmos. The series is produced by WVBS (World Video Bible School) and written and presented by Branyon May.

The Moon

Branyon reminds us of the scripture that mentions the creation of the sun and the moon: Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. Genesis 1:16

The program covers:

What is the moon comprised of?

The phases of the moon

The relationship between the earth and the moon

The moon’s function and cycles and its relation to nocturnal life

How lunar and solar eclipses happen

The moon’s vital role in the existence and health of life on earth (segment on ocean tides)

The moon as the time keeper of earth

Man’s relationship to the moon (the first moon landing)

Mercury

Fun facts based on its size, distance from the sun, orbit day length

Comparable properties to the earth’s moon

Extreme properties due to its proximity to the sun: temperature, radiation and lack of water.

I like how the Branyon concludes based on Mercury's properties that God did not design Mercury to be our home. However, God did design earth for that purpose.

Venus

We look at Venus’ properties: It’s the brightest object in the sky, besides the sun and the moon. I think I saw Venus last night! I looked out while closing my bedroom curtains and saw a bright light in the sky. So beautiful! It had to be Venus.

Branyon mentioned how venus is seen as the earth’s sister planet due to its size and mass.

The program covers:

Venus’ extreme properties: dense atmosphere and atmospheric pressure

Magellan spacecraft mission: The exploration of Venus for 4 years, until contact was lost with the spacecraft.

Venus’ volcanoes

Venus’ extreme surface temperature, lack of water, slow rotation and lack of a magnetic field, as well as no seasonal changes.

Again, the presenter points out that earth is designed for human life with important factors that suit human life, and so while Venus is seen as earth’s sister - it is certainly, in no way, hospitable.

Earth

I really like Branyon’s introduction here: He explains very well how earth is a home for all humanity and its variety of life.

He asks an interesting question: Do we appreciate earth?

Branyon looks at the parameters of earth and their affect on life. I really like how he stresses the narrow range earth has - it’s a privileged planet, as he calls it.

• Distance from the sun: What would happen if earth was closer or further?

• Designed to exist exactly where it is with maximum safety protection

• Magnetic field that surrounds the earth and protects it from particles from

• the sun

• Ozone layer

• Dense atmosphere

Branyon uses scripture to conclude that earth was designed to be just right for human life.

Genesis 1

Proverbs 3:19

Isaiah 45:18

The episodes about the moon, Mercury, Venus and Earth, are all under 10 minutes, and yet, they are packed with wonderful facts and have scripture as the foundation.

I really liked them, and they clearly show what Branyon concludes so well about Earth: There is no better home, for humanity, in our solar system or beyond the stars.

Thank you for reading this review. Until next time - peace be with you.

Thumbnail and program source: www.awesomescitv.com