"The Big Story" by Biologos

This is quickly turning into science week.

Biologos has released a video entitled "The Big Story".  They call it "a poetic re-telling of the history of the universe".  A visual presentation of the "epic, sweeping, and continuing story of God that stretches from creation to new creation."

Watch the video here.

Some brief thoughts:

1. It's well done and very basic.  Production value is high.
2. It's aptly titled.  It very much focuses on the "big story" rather than any one aspect of the narrative.
3. Being that the video is presented as a story, it doesn't aim to be technical.  It isn't an exercise in apologetics or a tool to teach any technical intricacies (Biologos does have those types of videos as well).  It seems to be intentionally open ended in many regards, not wanting any technical particulars to distract from the simple hearing of this story.
4. It avoids making claims on the theological issues that often divides Christians.  For example, being that the narrator has a reformed background, I assume (perhaps unfairly) that there are certain beliefs ungirding his "big story" about atonement, predestination, scripture, etc.  It seems to me that an intentional attempt is made to keep these sorts of things at arms length.  Out of necessity, whatever is there is a bit fuzzy.
5. "The fall" seems to be characterized as a gradual thing.  
6. There is no mention of death, suffering, or predation within the context of "The Big Story". 

In particular, I wish there'd been some discussion of #6 - the essential role that death plays in this "big story".  It's a thorny issue that demands careful thought and theology.  A short video may not be a suitable medium for such an exercise, but I don't think that one can or should ignore it completely.  Practically any story can appear grand and epic if one leaves out anything that might make it seem otherwise.

In any case, I think the video is well done.  It strikes a balance between being broad enough to effectively cover a lot of ground, while also permitting the narrative to highlight some of the core components behind Biologos' mission in a way that they can (and should) lead to further investigation for those who desire to do so.

I'm very interested in the intersection of science and faith, and the ways in which they don't overlap in that they speak to different things.  It's important.  Most importantly, it will be important to my daughter (now 2.5 years old) who I expect will one day begin asking questions for herself.  You had better be ready for that, church.