Moody Bible Institute’s “Sermons From Science”
The non-profit organization "Christians For Expo" conducted outreach through the Moody Bible Institute's Sermons From Science films and presentations. These shows, each around 30 minutes, reflected Dr. Irwin A. Moon's belief that "the marvels of science provided visible evidence of a divine plan of creation." For instance, "City of Bees" spends 2/3 of its runtime on straightforward scientific information about bees before addressing why humans are different from other animals and were given the Ten Commandments as a result.
The "Sermons From Science" brochure gives Expo visitors a convenient checklist for tracking which of the presentations they had already seen. These presentations would run continuously over a 9-hour period each day. Although charming, these films were made in the 1950s and 1960s, and may have come across as somewhat dated to Expo attendees in 1974. All these films can be found on YouTube today. Screen-caps of their title cards are in the gallery below.
From the Official Guidebook (p. 53-54):
How can a man allow 1 million volts to pass through his body and live? This is one of many fascinating demonstrations to be seen at the Sermons from Science Pavilion at Expo ‘74, located just off Howard and Trent.
At the Sermons from Science Pavilion, through a series of live demonstrations and films, you will explore the physical and spiritual laws of the universe. Eighteen different programs are presented each day, and each 30 minute program is entirely different.
Some of the interesting scientific phenomena you’ll observe are The Venus Flytrap, a plant that traps and eats insects; The Time Machine, in which everything is compressed to half width, clocks and heartbeat slow down. The relativity theory is demonstrated on an imaginary journey nearing the speed of light. And the inverting spectacles: This remarkable experiment demonstrates that we really see with our brains instead of our eyes.
You’ll see in the Sermons from Science Pavilion an amazing array of specialized laboratory equipment and action demonstrations of phenomena such as the cry that can shatter glass; a frozen shadow; a flashlight that talks; the stammering machine; metal rings floating in air; how to obtain liquid light from cold chemicals; invisible energy which sets steel aflame, and electron magic with a ribbon of rust. Perhaps most astonishing of all you’ll see Dr. George Speake pass one million volts of electricity through his body – and live.
In addition, you’ll want to see the spectacular color films prepared by the Moody Institute of Science. Some of the films shown during the day will be Dust or Destiny, Hidden Treasures, Red River of Life, Voice of the Deep, Time and Eternity, and the Mystery of Three Clocks.
The Moody Institute of Science organization in West Los Angeles is the only one in the world equipped by training, experience and specialized techniques for all aspects of scientific photography. All stages of film production have been done on the premises of the institute, including the printing and color processing of about two million feet of motion picture release print each year. In order to produce the astonishing special effects, much of the ingenious and specialized photographic equipment has been designed and constructed by institute personnel.
Sermons from Science has proven to be one of the most popular presentations at all of the recent World’s Fairs including Seattle, Montreal, New York, and the Hemis-Fair in San Antonio, Texas. According to a survey taken by Time Magazine, Sermons from Science was rated among the top 10 exhibits at the New York fair.
These demonstrations, composed of films and living stage demonstrations at Expo 74, are being presented by Christians for Expo, a Spokane non-profit religious corporation.
