The Heavens Declare: Part 8 (The Amazing Stars)
This week’s review is for the program, “The Heavens Declare: Part 8, The Amazing Stars,” which is created, hosted and produced by Kyle Justice from Awesome Science Media. Featured Experts: Dr. Danny Faulkner, Dr. Jason Lisle, Dr. Russ Humphreys, Dr. Don DeYoung and Spike Psarris.
Description
The experts explore the amazing evidence that stars were created by God.
In this episode the experts explore the stars in the universe, what makes up a star, how many there are, the distance of stars, and why they couldn't have formed in the Big Bang.
The verses, “He made the stars also” from Genesis 1:16, is the main focus of this episode - showing how powerful God is, when the making of the stars is put as a “by the way” statement, in the creation account. Once again, Dr Jason Lisle states that the correct response to the greatness of God, is worship. I really like how revisits this statement in each episode.
The experts speak of the feeling of awe looking at the night sky, and like Dr Danny Faulkner, I don’t understand how people can look at the night sky and not come to the conclusion that there is a Creator and give Him the worship He deserves.
Episode 8: The Amazing Stars, is filled of thought provoking questions, some that have their answers clearly stated in scripture and others that don’t. The experts, nevertheless, use scripture as their guide.
Question: Why did God make so many stars? As expected, the experts look to scripture for the answer, referencing Revelation 4:11, Psalm 8 and 19.
When describing the stars, the experts use wonderful adjectives, like: outrageous, amazing, overwhelming, beautiful, powerful, majestic - to name, just a few of them.
The experts highlight how God has said in His word that he calls each star by their name. Which leads to the question: How many stars are there? The experts naturally look to scripture for the answer, referencing Genesis 15:5, Jeremiah 33:22, Psalm 147:4. The answer is overwhelming - and to think God has named every single star! Dr Danny Faulkner makes a comment about how the names God has chosen for the stars are most certainly more interesting than the names the scientific community has given some of the stars. I’m with Dr Faulkner on that one! As God is perfect, God has no doubt found the perfect name for each and every star. Simply amazing!
There is a segment on the types of stars, which is really interesting and illustrates God’s outstanding creative power. There is talk of main sequence stars, giants, supergiants, neutron stars, brown dwarfs - it’s all very fascinating and the images and illustrations are breath-taking!
I really like how the experts always test the theories their secular colleagues come up, with against the Bible - no matter what the subject, as their authority is the Bible.
I also liked Dr DeYoung’s statement, “There are interesting and very extreme stars in space.” One example. There are stars that rotate in a millisecond. This is mind boggling, as I think of trying to rotate a small object as quickly as that! No chance! Yet there are stars that rotate that quickly! The heavens do indeed declare the glory of God!
The discussion of black holes was revisited, from a different angle. Dr Danny Faulkner stated that there was an unimaginable amount of energy connected to black holes.
Dr Spike Psarris looks to scripture to describe the variety of stars God has created. Psarris references 1 Corinthians 15:41, which says, There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.
When I think about the number of stars God has created, and how He has said each one is unique - it really makes me think about how powerful God is. It also makes me reflect on how everything God has created is unique, on earth and in heaven. Just amazing, and as Dr Jason Lisle says, the proper response is worship.
I like how Danny Faulkner says there is always something new to discover in astronomy, as technology improves.
The experts address the question, “Are new stars forming?” As usual, they look to the Bible for their answers. I like how they react when they don’t find the answer in scripture - they simply say, they don’t know, because God didn’t reveal that. It doesn’t mean they don’t wonder or create theories, but they are very clear about not making a theory a fact - unlike secular astronomy that has published untruths about stars forming from a natural process. Dr Lisle makes it very clear: “We’ve never seen a star form and neither has anyone else.”
The presenter, Kyle Justice, says the stars show the glory of God by their sheer amount and sizes. This leads to a segment about how the distance of stars are measured.
Throughout the episode I had joy in the fact that it is clear that God has made it so that we can study His work, question how things function, learn and immerse ourselves in His amazing works, for His glory. Hallelujah!
Question: Is the death of stars due to the fall? Meaning, were stars meant to collapse on themselves or explode? Dr Danny Faulkner and Dr Jason Lisle discuss this. Romans 8 is referenced and again, I like the humility of these experts when they face a question that scripture does not give the answer to.
Question: Is the message of the gospel written in the stars?
Dr Jason Lisle does a very good job at explaining why we should look to scripture for the message of the gospel and His answer is taken from the Bible.
The presenter, Kyle Justice, gives a list of reasons creation scientists are inspired by their work. It’s really inspiring to hear, see and learn from people who also have their focus on Jesus, who points us to the Heavenly Father.
I really like how the episode finishes with powerful testimonies from the experts about their faith and I admire the truth Dr Danny Faulkner says, “Secular astronomers have missed the point - therefore they are wasting their lives.”
This reminds me of Acts 20:24 “...nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
SUMMARY
The Amazing Stars is full of breath-taking information about stars, provoking questions and answers given by or guided by the Word of God. It’s an inspiring episode, that encourages its viewers to look up at the night sky (no telescope required), to get a glimpse of the glory of God!
This episode finished with references to Psalm 8:3-5 and Psalm 19:1
Psalm 8:3-5
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
4 What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? 5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.
Psalm 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
Thank you for reading this review. Until next time - peace be with you.
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Film source: Christian Movies channel on YouTube.
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