By Elizabeth Prata
We sure are products of our growing up influences, aren’t we? My parents both loved non-fiction. Books, documentaries, interviews…they were constantly delving into them, especially science and natural history.
I vividly remember my father so intrigued and charmed by a new (1980) documentary series on Public Broadcasting channel (PBS), ‘Cosmos’. It was hosted by American astronomer, planetary scientist and science communicator Carl Sagan.
‘It explored the 15-billion-year evolution of the universe, humanity’s place among the stars, and the history of science. It remains one of the most widely watched and celebrated science programs in television history’, according to Wikipedia.
Sagan was a good communicator, bringing down to the layman the complicated scientific facts and theories behind the universe and its planetary workings. I liked the program too. I watched the whole series twice.
Then I got saved.
My worldview shifted, of course, and now I know many of the intricacies of the universe because I know the One who created it, is transcendent beyond it, and has revealed some of it to us in His word.
Now when I watch documentaries I have to brush aside presentations of ‘evolution’ or other theories that are just untrue. This does dampen my enjoyment of them. I just have to go in with a filter and stay vigilant if I’m going to watch. Most scientists are secular and come to their niche in science with that mindset.
But not all!
Here is Captain Barry Wilmore. Wikipedia describes him this way-
Barry Eugene “Butch” Wilmore (born December 29, 1962) is an American retired NASA astronaut and United States Navy test pilot. He is a veteran of three spaceflights, the first of which was an 11-day Space Shuttle mission in November 2009, to the International Space Station. In total, he spent a total of 464 days off Earth and 32 hours outside of a spacecraft.
And this: “He is an elder at Providence Baptist Church in Pasadena, Texas.”
He was one of the astronauts that got stranded on the space station. An 8-day mission turned into nine months in space. He (and his crewmate) were returned safely to earth in March 2025.
Capt. Wilmore wrote a memoir of that journey. The blurb says, “More than a memoir of a journey to space and back, this is a story of how a faithful God shapes His people long before the watching world ever sees the outcome.”
FInally! A scientist who credits God all the way for his career, God’s creative power, and His providences! Below is an interview with the Captain hosted by Nathan Bingham at Ligonier’s Renewing Your Mind about that incident but also about so much more! This is one interview with an Astronaut you won’t have to filter, guard, or remain vigilant during. Enjoy the 28 minute discussion.
Captain Barry Wilmore’s book is out now. It is called Stuck in Space: An Astronaut’s Hope Through the Unexpected, available at Amazon.
Further Resources:
Illustra Media put out a documentary about the amazing design of the butterfly. It’s from a Godly perspective, called Metamorphosis. Ken Ham says of the film,
“The new DVD Metamorphosis offers viewers a look at what goes on in the cocoon as a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. Put out by Illustra Media, Metamorphosis is perfect for home schooling families—or anyone interested in learning more about the process of metamorphosis.”
Microcosmos is a documentary about insects. The film showcases detailed interactions between insects and other small invertebrates, with music by Bruno Coulais. Aside from a short intro and outro, there is no narration. At imdb.com, Reviewers say ‘Microcosmos’ delivers breathtaking cinematography and stunning visual spectacle through extraordinary technical achievement, with crystal-clear macrophotography that immerses viewers in the insect world at eye level. It was released in 1996 and to this day has a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 97%. There is an English version and a French version, per the very short narration. Since there is no particular worldview presented except observing insects doing what they do, no worries about hearing evolution or such. It is unrated.
I saw this one, which also has a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but I don’t remember if it presents a Christian worldview or a secular one. Common Sense Media says “The documentary contains no offensive language or anti-religious messaging. It portrays both the beauty of the natural world and the realities of the life-and-death cycles (such as natural predation) in a completely unbiased, G-rated format.” It is called ‘Winged Migration’.
the-end-time.org 