ORIGINS: How The World Came to Be

Reviewed by: Dale and Karen Mason
STAFF WRITERS

Moral Rating:	Excellent!
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience:	High School Teens to Adults
Genre:	Documentary
Length:	6 episodes, 30-min. each
Year of Release:	1983
USA Release:

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This is the most thorough and easy-to-understand series of films yet produced on the Creation/evolution controversy. A multiple awarded-winning series, it consists of six episodes. The titles are: “The Origin of the Universe,” “The Earth-A Young Planet?”, “The Origin of Life,” “The Origin of Species,” “The Origin of Mankind,” and “The Fossil Record.”

Moderated by the internationally respected Christian scientist Dr. A.E. Wilder-Smith, (who holds three earned doctorates!) the production style is very similar to that of a National Geographic special—but from a six-day scientific creationism perspective rather than the standard evolutionary point of view. The refreshing, attention-holding variety of visuals includes nature photography, animation, interviews, dramatizations, etc., shot in many beautiful settings throughout the world.

Because the theory of evolution has turned thousands away from faith in Christ, this series should be a staple component of every church’s video library. It provides a tremendous defense for the trustworthiness and infallibility of God’s Word. Informative and awe-inspiring.

Positive—A man in our church who was teaching an adult Sunday School class on Biblical Creation several years ago used excerpts the “Origins” series of videos in his classes. Our family found the excerpts so fascinating that we watched all the “Origins” videos in their entirety. They are outstanding, with regard to both content and manner.

Dr. Wilder-Smith portrayed Biblical truth not only with profound insight, but also with gentleness and respect. His approach is a fine model for all believers. I am delighted to learn that the series has been put on DVD. My Ratings: Excellent! / 5

Marjorie Goertzen, age 53

Positive—“I have all six entries on 16mm film, and the visual imapct on the big screen is amazing. The evidence, being presented in clear and scientific terms is quite compelling. I don’t know if I quite buy into film #2 (“Earth: A Young Planet”), but the arguments offered on the Big Bang theory and Darwin’s work has to give any one with an open mind pause to question the “facts” that have been part of the collective wisdom for the past 100 years.

The films are well made, from a film making point of view, and the nature photography is breath taking. Too often with Christian films, I find them preaching to the choir, and as such, never really hit the mark they had hoped to. These films are different.

I plan on showing them to friends, many of whom are unshakable in their belief in evolution—to at least get them to realize that what they believe in is, after all, a theory. And those who believe in creation, or as we now seem to call it, design, have at the very least and equally scientific reason for their beliefs. It should lead to some lively conversations if nothing else.”
My Ratings: Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 4½

Bill Brent, age 53 (USA)

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