The Story of Everything is a “faith documentary” directed by Eric Esau, which ties together the history and science of cosmology with a conclusion that the vast complexity of the universe requires, and in fact is evidence of, a supernatural intelligent designer. The film is based on Stephen C. Meyer’s book Return of the God Hypothesis, which claims to provide “groundbreaking scientific evidence of the existence of God.”
The viewer is walked through a history of the development of the Big Bang singularity theory, arguing that the evidence supporting it infers a designer. Many theists have long dismissed the notion of the Big Bang as antithetical to their understanding of the beginning. Biblical literalism argues for a six-day creation and that the Earth existed before stars, which contradicts the scientific timeline.
“… the complexity of the universe requires a supernatural intelligent designer.”
This approach tries to reconcile science and religion by positing an Intelligent Designer. In this philosophy science describes the “how” of the universe and religion the “why.” It’s a movement in the right direction, requiring less magical thinking, but there’s still a leap of faith required. Here the theists have appropriated science to back into an idea they already believe.
The history presented is verifiable, as is the science and math. The theological conclusions are unsupported by evidence. One of the arguments for a designer is that contemplating a universe that is not anthropocentric, in which we are an inconsequential side-effect, is too horrific to entertain. Technologist Peter Thiel is featured as a critic of materialism, which he views as a “spiritually empty, reductive worldview that cannot account for meaning, morality, or human uniqueness”.
The notion of an intelligence existing “before” the singularity depends on time, which itself did not exist. There may be no “before” or external cause. This is an area where we have to accept the discomfort of not knowing (yet) why the singularity happened. To fill that gap by inventing a designer is not supported by evidence. We simply don’t know.
"…the production quality is brilliant"
