Genesis: Paradise LostIf you don't ask questions about what you believe, how will you ever find the answer? Genesis: Paradise Lost is a film that juxtaposes 3D computer-generated animation depicting the creation of the universe by God with a series of interviews with doctors and evangelists arguing for creationism versus the theory of evolution. Described as the first part in a series of faith-based films, Genesis: Paradise Lost aptly starts at the very beginning of all things, analyzing and giving context to the first book of the Bible. The crux of the film's argument comes from the most famous of all opening lines: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."
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Genesis: Paradise Lost was crowdfunded and made over the course of five years; although only a few animators were involved in its creation, it boasts some colorful 3D visuals. Furthermore, Genesis: Paradise Lost does not conceal its critical view of the theory of evolution. Watching Genesis: Paradise Lost is like watching two movies simultaneously, alternating between vibrant and dramatic reenactments of the day by day creation of the world by God, to studio scenes where various experts advocate for creationism by pointing out the shortcomings in evolution through logic-driven arguments. The animated scenes depict cosmic events unfolding--from the emergence of the supercontinent Pangaea to the beasts of the earth scurrying forth from a divine pillar of wind. Although it later becomes evident that the flora and fauna are artificial, earlier scenes depicting the virgin topography of our world are so realistic that they are difficult to differentiate from CGI (computer-generated imagery). Even moments which don't quite cross the uncanny valley possess an ethereal element, lending them a supernatural quality. Other 3D scenes depict scenes such as an artificial space that resembles a marble-wrought office, replete with assorted artifacts like a dinosaur skeleton and other antiquities, and are narrated by Dr. Voddie Baucham, whose deep voice recalls the gravitas of James Earl Jones, befitting the creation of the universe. These scenes of the first week on Earth show dinosaurs walking side by side with Adam--there is even a Tyrannosaurus Rex munching on a watermelon. (Genesis: Paradise Lost poses that it was not until the Flood that meat-eating was acceptable.) As the first in a series of films merging science with faith, this inaugural entry focuses on the first seven days of creation, while alluding to other biblical events like the Flood and the Gospels. Manifestations of the divine are sometimes both alien and majestic, sharing similarities with the "Star Gate sequence" in 2001: A Space Odyssey.
In between the dazzling visual set pieces, there are an abundance of doctors from varying fields and areas of expertise who leverage their credentials to argue for creationism by debunking flaws in arguments made by evolutionists. These scholars attack the irrationality of an event like "The Big Bang Theory" as being implausible without a prime mover like God (i.e. intelligent design). They argue their points with logic and science, including how the Big Bang violates the first law of thermodynamics, or how the Bible predicted the universe being like a "fabric"--stretched over the earth and the heavens--when discussing how light could travel millions of years if the universe is indeed a "young universe". The most convincing--and arguably the most passionate--of the experts is Dr. Charles Jackson, a professor of creation science at Liberty University, whose mental acuity and enthusiasm makes his points compelling. Other experts who make a convincing argument from a purely scientific standpoint include Dr. Danny Faulkner, a professor of astronomy who argues the point that the Bible's chronology is not a metaphor, citing evidence that conclusions about the universe being "billions" of years old is a fallacy perpetrated by methods like carbon dating which were not founded in pure science. Other laws of science are addressed to discount evolution as being an absolute truth, such as "biogenesis", which states that "life can only come from life". While the argument could be made that biogenesis and the laws of thermodynamics would be broken by intelligent design, that proves to be precisely the point that the experts in Genesis: Paradise Lost contend--that the universe could not come from "nothing", and that there are infinitesimally small odds to support this conclusion, meaning that in order for us to exist, there must be a God who put us here.
Genesis: Paradise Lost has come out in a time when the debate between creationism and evolution is at a boiling point. Scientifically-minded people have made bold claims for one position or the other, with people like Bill Nye--called out on the proverbial carpet in this film--having gone so far as to declare creationism to be a "threat" to science education. With this kind of heated environment for the topic, Genesis: Paradise Lost runs the risk of appearing reactionary and politically-driven. On the other hand, it is not a political movie; it has faith at its core, but does not preclude scientific method or logic. That said, it is more likely that the audience for Genesis: Paradise Lost will be composed of people who are already convinced of the authenticity of creationism, and the film offers compelling arguments to equip said audience in anticipation of debates with secular evolutionists and atheists. Following that expectation, it is saddening that these convincing conclusions will rarely (if ever) reach the ears of the true intended audience--those already convinced that creationism cannot be true, and those who have been exposed only to a singular viewpoint of prescribed science that sees the inclusion of God in explaining creation as a threat instead of an answer. Genesis: Paradise Lost should be seen by people who have never questioned the whys and wherefores of contemporary scientific conclusions offered as unflinching fact, and ask themselves what they believe after watching the film.
Recommended for: Fans of a thought-provoking discourse on creationism versus evolution from the standpoint that the former is the truth. The 3D animation is admirable given the limited resources, and makes for some stimulating visuals to accompany the arguments that challenge current scientific conclusions about the creation of the universe.
In between the dazzling visual set pieces, there are an abundance of doctors from varying fields and areas of expertise who leverage their credentials to argue for creationism by debunking flaws in arguments made by evolutionists. These scholars attack the irrationality of an event like "The Big Bang Theory" as being implausible without a prime mover like God (i.e. intelligent design). They argue their points with logic and science, including how the Big Bang violates the first law of thermodynamics, or how the Bible predicted the universe being like a "fabric"--stretched over the earth and the heavens--when discussing how light could travel millions of years if the universe is indeed a "young universe". The most convincing--and arguably the most passionate--of the experts is Dr. Charles Jackson, a professor of creation science at Liberty University, whose mental acuity and enthusiasm makes his points compelling. Other experts who make a convincing argument from a purely scientific standpoint include Dr. Danny Faulkner, a professor of astronomy who argues the point that the Bible's chronology is not a metaphor, citing evidence that conclusions about the universe being "billions" of years old is a fallacy perpetrated by methods like carbon dating which were not founded in pure science. Other laws of science are addressed to discount evolution as being an absolute truth, such as "biogenesis", which states that "life can only come from life". While the argument could be made that biogenesis and the laws of thermodynamics would be broken by intelligent design, that proves to be precisely the point that the experts in Genesis: Paradise Lost contend--that the universe could not come from "nothing", and that there are infinitesimally small odds to support this conclusion, meaning that in order for us to exist, there must be a God who put us here.
Genesis: Paradise Lost has come out in a time when the debate between creationism and evolution is at a boiling point. Scientifically-minded people have made bold claims for one position or the other, with people like Bill Nye--called out on the proverbial carpet in this film--having gone so far as to declare creationism to be a "threat" to science education. With this kind of heated environment for the topic, Genesis: Paradise Lost runs the risk of appearing reactionary and politically-driven. On the other hand, it is not a political movie; it has faith at its core, but does not preclude scientific method or logic. That said, it is more likely that the audience for Genesis: Paradise Lost will be composed of people who are already convinced of the authenticity of creationism, and the film offers compelling arguments to equip said audience in anticipation of debates with secular evolutionists and atheists. Following that expectation, it is saddening that these convincing conclusions will rarely (if ever) reach the ears of the true intended audience--those already convinced that creationism cannot be true, and those who have been exposed only to a singular viewpoint of prescribed science that sees the inclusion of God in explaining creation as a threat instead of an answer. Genesis: Paradise Lost should be seen by people who have never questioned the whys and wherefores of contemporary scientific conclusions offered as unflinching fact, and ask themselves what they believe after watching the film.
Recommended for: Fans of a thought-provoking discourse on creationism versus evolution from the standpoint that the former is the truth. The 3D animation is admirable given the limited resources, and makes for some stimulating visuals to accompany the arguments that challenge current scientific conclusions about the creation of the universe.