Frequently
Asked Questions about 
Answers to some frequently asked questions about the unique program series known as Wonders of Science, including: background, scheduling, and programming.
Wonders of Science is a series of four 90-minute presentations using scientific demonstrations to illustrate spiritual and biblical principles. Presented on consecutive evenings, each program differs from the others. The series is low-key but strongly evangelistic. Audience participation, humor, and mind-boggling science demonstrations supplement the down-to-earth presentation of scientific principles. Applications drawn from these principles show the existence of an intelligent Creator and the claim He has on individual lives.
Wonders of Science appeals to today's interest in scientific information, and the unchurched feel comfortable in attending, especially when the programs are held in a neutral auditorium (civic center, school auditorium, theater, etc.).
Wonders of Science began in the 1930's, when the concept of using science to illustrate the gospel was used by California pastor Irwin Moon. His sermons became so popular, he eventually left the pastorate to devote himself full-time to his demonstrations. Following World War II, Dr. Moon began to use this principle in the making of motion pictures. The result became the world-famous Moody Institute of Science films. While the films spread around the world, the live presentations continued to be presented across the continental U.S., Canada, Alaska, and occasionally overseas.
The demonstrations were presented at World's Fairs in San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Montreal, and Spokane. Of the 700 exhibits at the New York World's Fair, Time magazine selected them as one of the best in a listing of their choice for the top 20 attractions. In Montreal, it ranked in the top five attractions for capacity crowds, and by special request from the mayor of Montreal, it remained open after the fair closed, becoming the only pavilion to reach the milestone of opening its doors 10,000 times.
The combination of films and live demonstrations were used in evangelistic projects at the Munich, Montreal and Atlanta Olympic games. The live programs have been presented before more than 6 million people, visited more than 600 military bases (including each service academy and Camp David), and have been used in hundreds of communities through local Christian organizations.
Wonders of Science has been used in a very real way to strengthen the faith of Christians and help young people see the existence of a Creator behind this universe. However, Wonders of Science is an evangelistic ministry and each of the four programs contains the gospel message. While Wonders of Science does edify, educate, and entertain Christians, it is designed to reach lost men and women for Jesus Christ. The unique medium of science attracts people with a scientific mind who might never set foot inside of a church. The goal and mission of Wonders of Science is evangelism.
When Wonders of Science is presented to a predominately Christian audience, such as a Bible conference, it is for the purpose of exposing Christians to our ministry that we might obtain a broader base of prayer and financial support.
For these reasons, Wonders of Science presents an evangelistic series rather than an inspirational series. This is one of the reasons we strive to present many of our programs each year on military bases, often in the base theater. Wonders of Science is an appropriate program for churches seeking an outreach to the community.
Wonders of Science appeals to all age groups and people with varying levels of educational achievement. One viewer wrote, "I've never seen any ministry that can maintain the interest of a 4-year-old boy or an 80-year old woman, and do it for one and one-half hours! Not with fancy music or entertainment, but speaking God's truth through science."
Our emcee has the unique ability to communicate to various age levels. In the same program, the child will experience new vistas of science and the professor will be challenged with a broad spectrum of scientific data. At the same time, each hears the gospel message through the unique vehicle of live science demonstrations.
No. While we steadfastly hold that this universe was formed by a Creator, WOS programs do not discuss the question of creation vs. evolution. Not because the issue is unimportant, however. Several other organizations handle the discussion of creation very well. God has not given us that ministry. Wonders of Science uses demonstrations of natural law to illustrate the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We do, however, base all of our demonstrations on the premise that the Creator has established and upholds certain natural laws that can be (and in many instances have been) discovered by science. But just as real as the existence of natural law, spiritual laws exist. To break either, one must accept the consequences. We use demonstrations based upon these natural laws to lay the groundwork for one's understanding of spiritual laws.
The host organization is responsible for an honorarium, meals and lodging for the speaker during the series and the evening prior to the first program, any auditorium expenses, promotional expenses beyond an initial promotional package, and local advertising. For specific information contact the Wonders of Science West Coast office at Voice Mail (562) 698-0527 or (562) 699-5610 or e-mail at deanortner@aol.com.
We would be happy to provide information suggesting ways to finance this unique series. Military Chaplains should check on our Military Chaplains Assistance Program.
Wonders of Science does not require a minimum size audience. We leave auditorium size to the local sponsoring organization. Once an auditorium reaches more than 2000, some of the demonstrations become difficult to see from the back of the auditorium. However, we have done programs in auditoriums seating more than 4000.
We do have specifications for platform size, however. The array of equipment used in the programs takes quite a bit of room. Safety considerations also demand a minimum size platform. The platform needs a minimum width of 40' and a minimum depth at the center of 16'. A depth of 14' would be acceptable if a temporary 4'x4' extension is constructed at the front. The ceiling height (or height to the closest overhead obstruction) at the front center of the platform must be a minimum of 18' above the surface of the platform.
We prefer a theater, school or civic auditorium over a church sanctuary. Un-churched people feel more comfortable attending in such a setting, and we want to remove any barriers these individuals might have to the gospel. However, we have had successful programs in church buildings. When we do, we always see a fewer number of un-churched individuals attending.
You can obtain additional guidelines and suggestions on auditorium selection by contacting the Wonders of Science office.
Because of the amount of equipment transported from site to site, we schedule Wonders of Science by regional tours throughout the country. To schedule a series or obtain information on when Wonders of Science will be in your area, contact the Wonders of Science office at Deanortner@aol.com or call our West Coast office at Voice Mail (562) 698-0527 or (562) 699-5610. If you are interested in a series but need time to consider financing, contact us as soon as possible to reserve dates. Dates can be held for a limited time to allow for consideration of financing.
Final confirmation for a series is given upon receipt of a deposit equal to 25% of the cost for the series. Deposits are refundable up to nine months prior to the program, fully refundable should Wonders of Science be forced to cancel. Wonders of Science has not missed a program due to illness, accident or "act of God" since it began. Deposits are not required for military programs.
It is extremely difficult for Wonders of Science to present one-night programs at this point. It takes us six hours to set up the equipment and two hours to take it down. Most of the wear-and-tear on this equipment comes during these stages. We have found that between wear-and-tear on the equipment and transportation from location to location (our two biggest expenses), good stewardship of time or resources makes one-night programs untenable. We do occasionally stretch the series to five days or squeeze four programs into three days, but only on rare occasions can we do one-day programs.
Another reason for our desire to present the entire series is continuity. While each program stands alone and contains the gospel presentation, the impact is greatest and word-of-mouth advertising is strongest when the program covers four days. If we were to do only one of the four programs, or take portions of each program, it would be like a pastor preparing for a four-point sermon, then being given only one-quarter of the anticipated time. You either give one point and have a truncated message or take pieces from each point and have a potpourri of unrelated illustrations.
We have found that God has honored our four-day programs and the attendance builds throughout the program with the concluding presentation having the largest crowd.
The power company supplies electricity to our homes at 60 Hertz (cycles). The human body's electrical firing frequency for operating the muscles is approximately 25 cycles. (This accounts for the rumble you hear when you clench your teeth while plugging your ears.) The 60 cycles from the wall socket so closely resembles the 25 cycles of the human body that when we touch it we get shocked (our bodies are "in-tune" with the energy- do not try it!). The Million Volt Demonstration pulls power from the wall circuits, runs it through a converter converting it into 65,000 cycles and cranks up the voltage. We accomplish this using several pieces of equipment including an Oudin Resonator. The one-million volts leaves the transformer with enough amperage to kill. True, before it reaches our scientist's body it loses some of the amperage due to the frequency change and interaction with the iron core of the transformer (known as hysteresis losses), but enough amperage remains to kill several hundred people should they come in contact with it. Be assured that we do not use static electricity (our scientist's hair does not stand on end). We use the electricity supplied by the power company and the Oudin Resonator converts it to 65,000 cycles.
Compared to the 60 cycles of the wall socket, the 65,000 cycle energy reacts so drastically different that one could say the human body is "out of tune" with the power inherent in the higher frequency electricity. This frequency of energy is commonly referred to as radio frequency ("RF") energy and causes the RF static on our radios or "snow" and distortion on the television.
The RF energy flows through the blood and bones (the frequency is not high enough for the so called "skin effect" of surface travel). Our demonstration vividly displays the amount of energy present as the scientist dissipates it into the air by passing it through a board held in his hand. The heat energy released actually ignites the board. He then waves his other arm toward the audience and sparks several inches long exit his fingertips, at times burning the fingertips.
If done properly (following natural laws as discovered by science), we complete the demonstration without injury. The experience does leave our speaker drained and with an elevated body and blood temperature, but otherwise unharmed (except for occasional singed fingers). However, if we ignored the laws of nature, the electricity would kill him instantly.
Yes, people have been killed attempting this demonstration (they ignored natural law) and our scientist once broke his wrist during a test of new equipment. This demonstration must be done according to specific laws and specific equipment designed and built by an electrical engineer. Do not attempt this demonstration.
During each of the programs in the four-part series we turn on the million-volt generator so everyone gets to see the lightening. However, we do not reveal exactly when during the series our scientist "rides" the million volts. Hey, we've got to keep people guessing! You figure it out!
At this time, a broadcast quality video of the Wonders of Science series is not available. The main reasons involve the time and financial commitment needed to produce the quality video product we would demand.
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Wonders of
Science • 6548 South Newlin Avenue • Whittier, CA 90601
Whittier Voice
Mail: (562) 698-0433 ext 280 or: (562) 699-5610
