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Series Code: TIJ
Program Code: TIJ002118A
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00:25 Three, two, one, zero liftoff. 00:30 No one on planet earth was there to see humanities greatest 00:33 achievement. That's because it didn't happen on planet earth. 00:38 It happened on the moon. It was only seen through grainey 00:42 television images beamed across the distance of almost 400,000 00:47 kilometers when Neil Armstrong planted the first human step on 00:52 on the lunar surface. But there was something that was kept 00:57 secret about the moon landing. The Apollo moon missions carried 01:01 a secret cargo and NASA wasn't keen to make it publically known 01:06 What was it? And why is it so important that you should know 01:12 about it. Well together let's unravel the mystery of the book 01:18 that went to the moon. 01:21 ♪ ♪ 01:47 We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon. 01:53 We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other 01:59 things, not because they are easy but because they are hard. 02:02 On the 25th of May 1961 when President John F. Kennedy 02:08 announced America's goal of going to the moon the 02:12 achievement seemed almost unimaginable. It came only 20 02:17 days after Allen Shepherd had become the first American in 02:22 space. If that mission had failed Kennedy would never have 02:26 announced the goal of putting an American on the moon. That's 02:30 how tenuous and dangerous the whole thing was. But just eight 02:35 years later on the 19th of July 1969 Apollo 11 entered the orbit 02:42 of the moon. Inside were Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, 02:47 and Edward "Buzz" Aldrin, Jr. The next day on the 20th of 02:52 July the lunar module Eagle separated from Apollo descending 02:58 with Armstrong and Aldrin inside Back at the mission control 03:04 center the support crew waited breathlessly while Armstrong 03:07 carefully piloted the lunar module down toward the lunar 03:12 surface. Eventually they heard Armstrong's call sign come 03:17 through loud and clear. 03:23 Two and a half hours after landing before preparing 03:28 for Armstrong's walk on the moon Buzz Aldrin radioed earth and 03:33 asked for a few moments of silence for each person 03:38 listening to give thanks in his own individual way. Then Aldrin 03:47 privately took communion using a chalice and wine he had 03:51 brought and then he read a passage from the Bible which 03:54 he also had brought with him on a piece of paper. Here's the 03:58 passage from John chapter 15 and verse 5: 04:16 The reason why Aldrin had been vague in asking people to give 04:20 thanks was because at that time NASA was fighting a law suit 04:24 brought by an atheist called Madalyn Murry O'Hair who had 04:29 objected to previous Apollo astronauts reading from the 04:32 Bible. And that's also why NASA didn't make any public 04:37 announcements about this or about the book that went to the 04:42 moon because here was the greatest achievement of secular 04:44 humanity and yet many of these astronauts kept insisting on 04:49 putting God right at the heart of the moon mission. Early the 04:55 next morning Neil Armstrong opened the hatch and began his 04:59 descent to the lunar surface. While still on the ladder 05:04 Armstrong uncovered a plaque that said: 05:09 Here men from the planet earth first set foot upon the moon 05:12 July 1969, A.D. We came in peace for all mankind. 05:19 Then Armstrong stepped off Eagle's footpad and said those 05:26 famous words: 05:36 Even today that step in 1969 represents for me the greatest 05:44 achievement of humanity. It represents not only a scientific 05:49 triumph, but a triumph of the ingenuity and the will of 05:52 mankind and indeed it was. The astronauts involved in the moon 05:57 program were very special people Initially to become an astronaut 06:04 experience in flying high performance aircraft was as 06:09 equally important as academic qualifications. However by 1964 06:14 applications were invited on the basis of superior academic 06:19 qualifications alone. The minimum requirements were a 06:25 doctorate or equivalent in the areas of natural sciences, 06:29 medicine or engineering. Applications were evaluated by 06:35 the National Academy of Sciences in Washington. These were among 06:39 the best and brightest that America had to offer. But what 06:44 most people don't recognize today is that the moon landing 06:48 and the Apollo space program as a whole was fueled not simply 06:53 by rocket fuel but faith. It's popular today among atheists 07:00 to discredit God and faith as forces that have held back the 07:04 progress of humanity but that has never been the case and here 07:09 is what is significant. Many of those involved in the space 07:14 program were committed Christians or deeply spiritual 07:18 people and especially so the astronauts. Frank Borman, the 07:24 commander of the first space crew to travel beyond the 07:26 earth orbit looked down on the earth from a quarter of a 07:29 quarter of a million miles in space and he radioed back a 07:33 message reading the very first words of the Bible from Genesis 07:37 chapter one: 07:43 Later on Borman explained why he did it. He said: 08:01 Edgar Mitchell was the sixth man on the moon and although he 08:05 wasn't a Christian in the traditional sense, he said that 08:09 as a result of his experience then he came to believe that God 08:13 was real. James Irwin, who walked on the moon in 1971 08:18 described the lunar mission as a revelation. He said: 08:28 These men who were the best of the best that the USA could 08:36 offer were deeply spiritual. Many of these were committed 08:40 Christians who loved the Bible. That's why the book that went 08:44 to the moon wasn't an encyclopedia or a scientific 08:48 text book. It was the Bible. Actually the Bible didn't make 08:53 it to the moon in the form of one verse on a scrap of paper 08:57 on Apollo 11, but it really did go to the moon. And it's that 09:03 fascinating story that I want to share with you. In fact, the 09:09 whole Bible has actually been to the moon many times, but not in 09:14 the form that you and I know it with covers and paper and pages. 09:18 It's been to the moon in the form of microfilm or microfiche. 09:23 Five hundred and twelve tiny copies of the Bible in Microfilm 09:28 were made by a group called the Apollo _. This group was 09:34 led by a Texas minister named John Stout who doubled as a 09:38 NASA scientist. There's one of them here in the museum of the 09:43 Bible in Washington D.C. It's one of the newest and most 09:47 technologically advanced museums in the world. 09:50 It showcases many rare 09:52 and _ artifacts, both ancient and modern, including 09:57 one of the Lunar Bibles. And here it is, one of the original 10:01 Bibles that went to the moon. It's one of only 12 intact lunar 10:06 Bibles that made the round trip journey. The remainder were 10:10 divided and distributed to various dignitaries. The entire 10:15 1245 pages of the King James Version of the Bible were 10:21 faithfully reproduced into these cubes of microfilm, just 4.1 cm 10:28 square. The very first manned mission of the United States 10:35 Apollo program was Apollo 1. Apollo 1 never got off the 10:42 ground. During the final testing a cabin fire on the 27th of 10:46 January 1967 killed it's three crew members. Among them was 10:51 Ed White who'd had a dream to take a Bible to the surface of 10:56 the moon. Bibles were first officially approved to be 11:00 carried in the lunar module for Apollo 12, the second landing 11:05 mission and here it is. The command module is on display 11:09 here at the Virginia Air and Space Center, but by mistake 11:13 the Bibles were packed into this command module which only 11:17 orbited the moon. So they never made it down to the lunar 11:23 surface. But John Stout wasn't to be detered. He tried again 11:28 This time he arranged for them to fly on Apollo 13 and this 11:33 time they were packed correctly in the landing module. But 11:37 you'll remember that Apollo 13 didn't go to the moon. It's been 11:41 turned into several movies. About five-and-a-half hours 11:45 after entering moon orbit a faulty oxygen tank exploded 11:49 causing a loss of oxygen and electrical power. There was a 11:54 big chance that the astronauts would die. The moon landing was 11:59 aborted and by nothing short of the miracle the crew were able 12:03 to return safely to earth. However on the third attempt 12:08 the Bible actually did make it to the moon. Astronaut Edgar 12:14 Mitchell carried 100 copies of the microfilm Bible in his 12:19 personal kit on the Apollo 14 lunar module and that's how the 12:23 Bible finally made it to the moon on the 5th of February 1971 12:29 The story of the microfilm Bible has been shrouded in mystery. 12:36 Part of the reason is because NASA logged them as small 12:39 microfilm packets rather than Bibles. The other part of the 12:44 reason is that although these explorers were men of science 12:48 they were also men of faith but it was difficult for NASA to 12:55 discuss their religous beliefs in an increasingly secular 12:58 society. There was also a very practical reason why they 13:02 couldn't just take a standard Bible with them into space. 13:06 Because there were severe space and weight restrictions on what 13:09 the astronauts could carry. Each of the astronauts were limited 13:14 to only 18 ounces or half a kilo of personal effects that they 13:20 could take in their personal kits. So the question must be 13:24 asked, What's so important about this book the Bible that many of 13:29 these heroic men of science struggled so valiantly to take 13:34 it with them to the moon. Why were they so passionate about 13:39 associating it with humanity's greatest achievement? Well those 13:44 first people who traveled to the moon knew that their achievement 13:49 was the highest that a human being had ever been, the 13:54 pinnacle of human civilization and the culmination of all 13:59 knowledge and science to that time. And many of the Apollo 14:03 astronauts also knew something that our society has likely lost 14:09 and that is that it's the principles and teachings of the 14:13 Bible that are responsible for what is noblest and best in 14:17 Western civilization. Now this may seem strange to an average 14:22 person who never thinks about these sorts of things. Yet it's 14:26 true. There's a popular myth that the Bible had little or no 14:31 impact on western civilization. But that's just a myth. Some 14:36 people like to bring up the topic of science and set it up 14:39 against Christianity as if Christian faith were the arch 14:43 enemy of scientific progress. But that's simply not true 14:47 either. Everyone knows that all of the first modern scientists 14:53 were explicitly motivated by their Christian faith to 14:57 establish foundations of modern science. For example Isaac 15:02 Newton who lived from 1642 to 1727 is considered the greatest 15:06 scientist of his age, perhaps of all time. He is renowned for his 15:12 theories of motion and gravitation which he believed 15:15 were fully consistent with biblical teaching. For Newton to 15:21 understand nature was to understand God. The structure 15:25 of the physical universe he maintained revealed an all 15:29 powerful God who created the world and intervened to keep it 15:35 on track. Newton once wrote that he intended his scientific 15:40 discoveries and achievements to support the biblical concept of 15:44 God as an intelligent and all powerful being. So, yes, 15:50 everyone knows that the early modern scientists believed in 15:53 God and were motivated by their Christian faith to establish 15:57 foundations for modern science. But not everyone knows that 16:02 it was only the Judeo-Christian world view that allowed science 16:06 to flourish. This was because it was the Christian world view 16:11 that introduced the concept of evidence. This led to the idea 16:15 of the experiment which became the foundation of modern science 16:21 Even from the earliest centuries of Christianity it has been the 16:25 Bible that has promoted literacy more than any other factor in 16:29 history and it has continued right through to our own day 16:33 being at the heart of the principles of universal 16:39 education which we all take for granted today. Even the idea of 16:42 the university itself is essentially a Christian idea. 16:46 And it wasn't just the idea of the university but the idea of 16:52 the hospital itself was created and shaped by the teachings of 16:56 the Bible. There were no hospitals anywhere in the world 16:59 before the impact of the Bible's teaching. The hospital is a 17:05 uniquely Christian idea. It's because after Jesus returned to 17:10 heaven his followers immulated his example and dedicated 17:14 themselves to healing and to creating places and ways to care 17:18 for the sick. It was Christian monastic tradition that 17:23 blossomed into hospitals and indeed the practice of modern 17:27 medicine as we know it. This brings us to the whole social 17:32 structure of our western civilization which is based on 17:35 the notions of human dignity, equality and the inalienable 17:40 right of every person. In fact these are key and unique 17:46 contributions of the Bible to our modern world and it was 17:49 Christian thinkers and philosophers who developed and 17:53 nurtured the first ideas about human rights and the equality of 17:58 every person. And these ideas were not just developed by 18:03 Christians but also for specifically Christian reasons. 18:08 The idea of selfless caring for others is also an important 18:14 contribution that western culture has made to the world 18:15 because of the teachings of the Bible. It was Christians who 18:22 started the first orphanages and charities of different kinds, 18:25 institutions that had never existed before to look after 18:30 those who couldn't look after themselves. And they did it 18:34 because the Bible taught not only that we should love others 18:37 as outselves but that we should also love those who could not 18:42 return that love and even our enemies. The notion of the 18:46 charity, of selfless charity for no reward, is itself a uniquely 18:52 Christian idea. So because of its contributions to western 18:57 culture the Bible is a very special book. But it's none of 19:01 these things that make the Bible the most unique book in the 19:06 world, it wasn't these things that led the Apollo astronauts 19:09 to choose to take the Bible with them when they had to decide 19:12 what to take on their epoch making journey. What makes the 19:17 Bible most unique is its divine power to transform lives. The 19:23 Bible itself claims to have a living power and to be a prime 19:28 means by which God communicates and interacts with humanity. 19:34 Once you've experienced the power of God's word in your life 19:38 it's something that no one can deny. Many of the astronauts of 19:44 the Apollo program had experienced this for themselves. 19:47 That's why they treasured the Bible above all books. The Bible 19:53 doesn't transform lives because it's full of the greatest 19:56 teachings and wisdom in all the world or _. It transforms 20:02 lives because it's a book that comes from God for humanity and 20:07 it's full of his power. Some people like to talk about 20:11 miracles but the greatest miracle that God performs on a 20:14 regular basis is transforming lives, changing people through 20:19 the Bible. Every year untold millions of lives are rescued 20:25 from things such a substance abuse, destructive habits and 20:29 emotional hurts in addition to character flaws such as lying, 20:34 stealing, cheating, aggression and anger. Sometimes these life 20:40 changes are dramatic and quick. Sometimes they take place over 20:45 many years. The transformations that these people experienced 20:49 often had one thing in common, the Bible, also called the word 20:55 of God has usually played a central role. It's one of God's 20:59 primary tools for changing lives for the better. The Bible gives 21:05 us the words that come from the mind and heart of the creator. 21:09 These words carry a power that is unparalleled by any other 21:14 written word. Here's what the Bible itself says in Hebrews 21:18 chapter 4 and verse 12: 21:37 When you open your heart to reading, learning and studying 21:41 the Bible you'll begin to see God like never before. You'll 21:47 understand your true condition, sinful before a holy God and 21:52 you'll understand his free gift of forgiveness through the death 21:55 of Jesus on the cross. You'll begin to grasp the power of 22:00 God's Spirit that will enable you to turn from activities that 22:04 are harmful to you and enjoy life the way it was meant to be 22:08 enjoyed, full of happiness and peace and you'll also see a 22:14 miraculous change begin to take place in your life. When we look 22:18 through history we can see plenty of examples of people who 22:22 read the Bible a lot but to no avail and it's true that some 22:28 Christians have used wrong understandings of the Bible to 22:32 persecute and harm others. So what's the secret to 22:36 understanding the Bible the way that God intends. You have to 22:41 remember that the Bible is the only book whose author has 22:46 promised to be beside you and help you understand it every 22:49 time you read it. The best way to understand the Bible is to 22:54 make sure that you have a relationship with Jesus Christ 22:56 because he's promised that when you do that through his Spirit 23:00 he will personally teach you. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit 23:06 will guide us into all truth and that's how you unlock the power 23:11 of the Bible for your life. Here's what Jesus said in 23:15 John chapter 16 and verse 13: 23:17 ... 23:33 The astronauts of the Apollo space program were the best and 23:40 the brightest that the United States had to offer. Many of 23:44 them treasured the Bible. They treasured it so much that they 23:48 made sure that it was part of humanity's greatest achievement, 23:53 reaching the moon itself. Now I don't know what you're hoping 23:57 to achieve in life or that you're simply struggling with 24:01 life itself. But wherever you are in your journey you'll find 24:06 the secrets to life in this book the Bible. I invite you to 24:12 rediscover the Bible, the word of God. In it you will find life 24:17 In it you will find the truth about Jesus, a truth that will 24:22 quench any thirst that you will ever have. It'll bring you inner 24:26 peace and happiness. The Apollo astronauts went high, but you 24:32 can go higher. If you would like to reach the heights of life 24:36 that God has planned for you please join with me in this 24:41 prayer. 24:42 Dear Heavenly Father, we want to thank you for your word, 24:47 your personal message to each and every one of us through the 24:51 Bible. And even now you give us still another opportunity to get 24:56 to know you. Thank you for giving us this incredible 25:00 opportunity through the Bible. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. 25:06 As our society become more secular and moves away from God 25:14 fewer and fewer people appreciate the importance of 25:17 the Bible in their lives. It's not that they don't need it. 25:21 It's simply that they don't know what the Bible teaches or 25:26 understand its power. How familiar are you with the word 25:29 of God? If you'd like to find out more about the Bible and 25:34 experience its power in your life, if you'd like to find true 25:37 peace and happiness, if you'd like to know Jesus as your 25:41 personal friend, then I'd like to offer you the free gift we 25:44 have for all our viewers today. It's a booklet called Hacking 25:50 the Bible Code. Through this free book you'll be able to 25:55 learn not only how you can understand the Bible but also 25:58 how you can apply the word of God to your own journey through 26:04 life. So don't miss this wonderful opportunity to receive 26:07 the gift we have for you today. It's totally free and without 26:12 any obligation. Here's the information you need. 26:16 Phone or text us at 0436-333-555 in Australia or 020-422-2042 in 26:28 New Zealand or visit our website tij.tv to request today's free 26:34 offer and we'll send it to you totally free of charge and with 26:37 no obligation. So don't delay. Call or text 0436-333-555 in 26:45 Australia or 020-422-2042 in New Zealand or visit our website 26:52 to request today's offer. Write to us at: 27:07 So don't delay. Call or text to request today's free offer and 27:12 we'll send it to you totally free of charge and with no 27:15 obligation. Don't delay. Call or text us now. 27:24 If you've enjoyed today's journey with the book that went 27:27 to the moon and our reflections on how the word of God can take 27:32 your life to places you could never have imagined, be sure to 27:37 join us again next week when we will share another of life's 27:40 journeys together. Until then remember the ultimate 27:44 destination of life's journey. Now I saw a new heaven and a 27:49 new earth. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. 27:53 There shall be no more death nor sorrow nor crying. There shall 27:57 be no more pain for the former things have passed away. 28:02 ♪ ♪ |
Revised 2021-06-02