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Good Heavens! The Human Side of Astronomy

Latest episodes

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Apr 4, 2021 • 1h 12min

The Lamb of God - The Passover in the Gospels

Matthew, Mark, and Luke see the Last Supper as a Passover meal. But John seems to say the Passover meal had not yet occurred. Can this discrepancy be reconciled? On this special Easter edition of Good Heavens! Wayne and Dan examine a solution proposed by Dr. Colin J. Humphreys in his book, The Mystery of the Last Supper.  We do not argue this is the only possible or conceivable solution, but we do find it persuasive enough to make a podcast out of it!  So come and see the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  https://creationanswers.net/biblical/crucifixiondate.htm  https://www.amazon.com/Mystery-Last-Supper-Humphreys-ebook/dp/B004V9O7BO/  Podbean enables our podcast to be on Apple Podcasts and other major podcast platforms.  To support Good Heavens! on Podbean as a patron, you can use the Podbean app, or go to https://patron.podbean.com/goodheavens.  This goes to Wayne Spencer. If you would like to give to the ministry of Watchman Fellowship or to Daniel Ray, you can donate at https://www.watchman.org/daniel. Donations to Watchman are tax deductible. Image by Ambroz from Pixabay
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Mar 27, 2021 • 33min

The Sun, Moon, and Time - Calendars Part 2

If you have not yet listened to part one in our series, we encourage you to check it out before diving into Part 2.  In Part 2, Wayne and I discuss the ways in which ancient Jewish people kept time, we talk about the beauty and regularity of the sun and moon that give us the ability to know times and seasons and we also discuss the wondrous regularity of nature.  Why is it that the sun, moon, and stars all faithfully seem to know their place? Why is it we can predict where they will be in the sky? Why is nature so regular and ordered?  We think it is because Jesus created nature to be this way. It is His "fixed order" that He established when He created the heavens and the earth. And in Jeremiah 31, the LORD uses this "fixed order" of the cosmos as an example of His unfailing and steadfast love toward us in Christ, and even to all creatures great and small, including a humpback whale who delights to eat anchovies!  So come and spend some time with us as we explore the wondrous regularity and usefulness of the sun, moon, stars, and nature.  In Part 3 we will discuss how calendars are relevant to the last week of Christ and the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. Books and resources mentioned: The History and Practice of Ancient Astronomy Encyclopedia of Ancient Astronomy The Mystery of the Last Supper Links to resources on Wayne's website. https://creationanswers.net/biblical/crucifixiondate.htm https://creationanswers.net/goodies/LastWeek_Christ_Outline.pdf https://creationanswers.net/goodies/LastWeekofChrist.pdf Podbean enables our podcast to be on Apple Podcasts and other major podcast platforms.  To support Good Heavens! on Podbean as a patron, you can use the Podbean app, or go to https://patron.podbean.com/goodheavens.  This goes to Wayne Spencer. If you would like to give to the ministry of Watchman Fellowship or to Daniel Ray, you can donate at https://www.watchman.org/daniel. Donations to Watchman are tax deductible.
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Mar 20, 2021 • 37min

For Signs and for Seasons - Calendars of the Ancient World

What's the date today? What time is it? For many people and times, the answers to these questions were not always easy to determine. Today, we take it for granted we can tell time by a clock or look up a date on a calendar.  On this episode, Wayne and Dan discuss some fun and curious tidbits about calendars, from the Babylonians, Egyptians, and Romans to the late 16th century when there was a great calendrical reform by Pope Gregory VIII. We talk about the Julian and Gregorian calendars and how the sun and moon figured into months and years.  This is part one of a three-part series that will culminate in the final days of Jesus of Nazareth, leading up to His crucifixion, burial, and resurrection, all in line with Easter celebration on Sunday, April 4th of this year.  Books and resources mentioned:  The History and Practice of Ancient Astronomy  Encyclopedia of Ancient Astronomy  The Mystery of the Last Supper  Links to resources on Wayne's website.  https://creationanswers.net/biblical/crucifixiondate.htm https://creationanswers.net/goodies/LastWeek_Christ_Outline.pdfhttps://creationanswers.net/goodies/LastWeekofChrist.pdf Podbean enables our podcast to be on Apple Podcasts and other major podcast platforms.  To support Good Heavens! on Podbean as a patron, you can use the Podbean app, or go to https://patron.podbean.com/goodheavens.  This goes to Wayne Spencer. If you would like to give to the ministry of Watchman Fellowship or to Daniel Ray, you can donate at https://www.watchman.org/daniel. Donations to Watchman are tax deductible.  
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Mar 6, 2021 • 41min

The Majesty & Mystery of the Universe Part 2

There is much to the universe we simply don't know. And this unknown aspect of the cosmos inspires and fascinates us, inviting us to explore and engage it's tacit voice, "Come and see!"  The psalmist (Psalm 111:2) proclaims, "Great are the works of the LORD, they are studied by all who delight in them". While many scientists who study the cosmos do not acknowledge God as the Creator, their dedication to knowing more about the heavens tells us the created order is imbued with an inestimable value, majesty, awe, and wonder.  We are willing to spend time, effort, and money to knowing more about it's undisclosed secrets.  Whether it is the surface of the moon or the wondrous artistic sculpting of the cloud formations of Jupiter to the most distant galaxies, known or unknown, we believe it all declares the glory of God.  Some of the mysteries mentioned in this series for your further exploration! Note there are not specific "Christian" points of view expressed in these websites and resources and do not necessarily reflect the views of Wayne, Dan, Good Heavens, or Watchman Fellowship, Inc. Fast Radio Bursts: https://astronomy.com/news/2020/11/astronomers-have-finally-found-the-cause-of-mysterious-fast-radio-bursts Gamma Ray Bursts: https://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/science/objects/bursts1.html Book: We Have No Idea https://www.amazon.com/We-Have-No-Idea-Universe/dp/0735211523/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=We+Have+No+Idea Podbean enables our podcast to be on Apple Podcasts and other major podcast platforms.  To support Good Heavens! on Podbean as a patron, you can use the Podbean app, or go to https://patron.podbean.com/goodheavens.  This goes to Wayne Spencer. If you would like to give to the ministry of Watchman Fellowship or to Daniel Ray, you can donate at https://www.watchman.org/daniel. Donations to Watchman are tax deductible. ESA/Hubble & NASA, J. Lee and the PHANGS-HST Team
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Feb 25, 2021 • 40min

The Majesty and Mystery of the Universe Part 1

The universe is filled with "known unknowns" to quote the former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. They are fascinating, mysterious and worthy of our attention. There are all sorts of wonderous and fantastically mysterious light sculptures in the cosmos. We talk about the mysteries of stars, galaxies, galaxy structures, fast radio bursts, gamma ray bursts, and all kinds of other things that presently remain a mystery to astronomers, cosmologists, and astrophysicists. And we think all these great unknowns point to the glory of God in Christ. So come and see what's up in our marvelous universe and be amazed by what we don't know!    Some of the mysteries mentioned in this series for your further exploration! Note there are not specific "Christian" points of view expressed in these websites and resources and do not necessarily reflect the views of Wayne, Dan, Good Heavens, or Watchman Fellowship, Inc.    Mysterious light: https://www.npr.org/2020/11/18/936219170/scientists-discover-outer-space-isnt-pitch-black-after-all   MOND:  https://newatlas.com/physics/modified-gravity-evidence-dark-matter/    Technetium: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ethansiegel/2015/08/01/a-periodic-table-surprise-the-one-element-in-stars-that-isnt-on-earth/?sh=2fa74570df74   Podbean enables the Good Heavens podcast to be on Apple Podcasts and other major podcast platforms.  To support Good Heavens! on Podbean as a patron, you can use the Podbean app, or go to https://patron.podbean.com/goodheavens.  This goes to Wayne Spencer. If you would like to give to the ministry of Watchman Fellowship or to Daniel Ray, you can donate at https://www.watchman.org/daniel. Donations to Watchman are tax deductible.  
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Jan 21, 2021 • 54min

COMETS Part 2 - The Mystery of Lifes Origin

Somehow Wayne and Dan are still riding along on a comet  as they explore the mysteries and intrigue of these celestial wonders!  Could comets actually have helped to kickstart life? Just what kind of things must line up in order for this to have happened? What comets can we see in 2021?   Dan made another video trailer for this episode, click here and HANG ON! Video clips from ESA, NBC News, the Discovery Institute. Books: See David A. J. Seargent's book on Amazon, "The Greatest Comets in History: Broom Stars and Celestial Scimitars."  Also on Amazon, look for the 2020 updated edition of the book, "The Mystery of Life's Origin" by Thaxton, Bradley, and Olsen (and others).   For David Gelernter's essay on why he left Darwinism, go to https://claremontreviewofbooks.com/giving-up-darwin/ Or see Wayne's article for this podcast, on comets and the origin of life:  https://creationanswers.net/answersblog/2020/12/24/comets-meteorites-the-origin-of-life/ Podbean enables our podcast to be on Apple Podcasts and other major podcast platforms.  To support Good Heavens! on Podbean as a patron, you can use the Podbean app, or go to https://patron.podbean.com/goodheavens.  This goes to Wayne Spencer. If you would like to give to the ministry of Watchman Fellowship or to Daniel Ray, you can donate at https://www.watchman.org/store/donations. Donations to Watchman are tax deductible. Good Heavens! is a production of Watchman Fellowship, Inc. A 501 C (3) educational non-profit Christian research organization.
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Jan 9, 2021 • 36min

COMETS! Part 1 - Did They Help Start Life On Earth?

Come along and ride a comet with Wayne and Dan as they explore the mysteries and intrigue of these celestial wonders!  Why are they so regular? Why are they so surprising? How do they behave? What are they made of? From where did they come? And could they have seeded life on our planet?  From Halley and ISON to the present day extraordinary accomplishment of the European Space Agency's Rosetta mission to Comet 67P, comets continue to fascinate us. Come and see what's up with comets and find out how you can catch one in 2021!  To see a video trailer for this episode, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfHWqYxIaOo   See the book on The Greatest Comets in History on Amazon. See the technical book, "The Mystery of Life's Origin" on Amazon See Wayne’s article on comets and the origin of life at https://creationanswers.net/answersblog.   Podbean enables our podcast to be on Apple Podcasts and other major podcast platforms.  To support Good Heavens! on Podbean as a patron, you can use the Podbean app, or go to https://patron.podbean.com/goodheavens.  This goes to Wayne Spencer. If you would like to give to the ministry of Watchman Fellowship or to Daniel Ray, you can donate at https://www.watchman.org/store/donations. Donations to Watchman are tax deductible.    Good Heavens! is a production of Watchman Fellowship, Inc. A 501 C (3) educational non-profit Christian research organization providing the body of Christ with resources on apologetics, world religions, cults, and non-Christian worldviews. Visit our main site at Watchman.org.  If you enjoy Good Heavens! be sure to check out our other podcast Apologetics Profile. We feature conversations and interviews about Islam, Mormonism, Jehovah's Witness, science and other apologetics topics from top-notch authors and guests!  Image credit:  TRAPPIST/E. Jehin/ESO
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Dec 23, 2020 • 58min

The Harmony of Creation Part 2 with Dr. Christina George

We live in a fragmented world where everything seems to be classified, separated, divided and reduced to its subatomic bareness. Morality seems subjective, beauty is illusory and subjective, and we are confused about what is ultimately true about the world.  We've lost or are barely holding on to the idea that it's not only possible, but absolutely necessary to see the world as being reconciled in Christ. Despite what appears to us to be a host of unending confusion and fragmentation, we are assured by God that He upholds all things by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:1-3; Col. 1:16-20; John 1:1-9).  From stars to sparrows to the very hairs of our head, God's truth reigns and rules supremely and sovereignly.  On part two of our discussion with Dr. Christina George, we further examine the role of music in our lives and how it helps us to recapture a holistic view of the cosmos and our place within it. Come and see.  For more information on Christie's work, please visit her at http://cjgeorge.com.  The quote mentioned in the introduction comes from James E. Dolezal's book, All That is in God, available on Amazon. Podbean enables our podcast to be on Apple Podcasts and other major podcast platforms.  To support Good Heavens! on Podbean as a patron, you can use the Podbean app, or go to https://patron.podbean.com/goodheavens.  This goes to Wayne Spencer. If you would like to give to the ministry of Watchman Fellowship or to Daniel Ray, you can donate at https://www.watchman.org/store/donations. Donations to Watchman are tax deductible.
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Dec 20, 2020 • 53min

The Harmony of Creation Part 1 with Dr. Christina George

There is a music in creation for those who have the ears to ear it. From the singing stars present at the foundation of the Earth, to the song of Moses after the miraculous crossing of the Yam Suf, to the silent songs of nature, from stars to sparrows, as well as songs we make as image bearers of God, all point to a kingdom and country not of this world.  Hearing this music helps us to understand the world more holistically, enabling us to perceive it all centered upon the risen Lord Jesus - from science, to poetry, literature, theology, & music - all things were created by Him and for Him. He upholds all things by the word of His power.  Creation centered upon Jesus is the grandest of fairy tales and we are all characters and subjects of the King of king and Lord of lords. As followers of Christ, we live in what Tolkien and Lewis called the “true myth”, the true story to which all other myths point. Ours is a world alive with wonder, awe, and majesty, and we can know the Author Himself.  Our very special guest on this two-part episode of Good Heavens! is professional musicologist Dr. Christina George. Through song and music, Christie strives to unites beauty, philosophy, and theology together to help people see creation more holistically. In our darkening world of fragmentation, isolation, and niche specialization, Christie’s ministry is a much needed encouraging and thoughtful light.  For more on Christie’s work, you can visit her website, http://cjgeorge.com   Podbean enables our podcast to be on Apple Podcasts and other major podcast platforms.  To support Good Heavens! on Podbean as a patron, you can use the Podbean app, or go to https://patron.podbean.com/goodheavens.  This goes to Wayne Spencer. If you would like to give to the ministry of Watchman Fellowship or to Daniel Ray, you can donate at https://www.watchman.org/store/donations . Donations to Watchman are tax deductible.
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Dec 17, 2020 • 48min

The Expanse of Heaven with Dr. Danny Faulkner (Part 2)

This is part two of our conversation with chief veteran astronomer of Answers in Genesis, Dr. Danny Faulkner. If you've not caught part one, you don't want to miss it!  On this episode Danny and Wayne answer questions we took from Twitter, we talk about the recent tragic news about the Arecibo Radio Telescope in Puerto Rico collapsing, and we talk about a some unusual objects that passed through our solar system in recent times. And of course, we discuss how we think all of this news about the heavens, as well as our fascination with the cosmos, all point to the glory of God in Christ.    Dr. Danny Faulkner holds a PhD in Astronomy from Indiana University.  He taught at the University of South Carolina Lancaster for over 26 years.  He now works as a researcher, author, and speaker for Answers in Genesis (answersingenesis.org).  Check out Danny's blog.   Podbean enables our podcast to be on Apple Podcasts and other major podcast platforms.  To support Good Heavens! on Podbean as a patron, you can use the Podbean app, or go to https://patron.podbean.com/goodheavens.  This goes to Wayne Spencer. If you would like to give to the ministry of Watchman Fellowship or to Daniel Ray, you can donate at https://www.watchman.org/store/donations . Donations to Watchman are tax deductible.

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