While Neil Armstrong received worldwide fame as the first person to walk on the moon, rocket scientist Wernher von Braun, was chiefly responsible for getting Armstrong there through his development of the Saturn V rocket which carried him and his team to the moon.
Von Braun (1912 – 1977) grew up in Germany and as a young boy attended church regularly giving his heart to the Lord at an early age. His parents were so encouraged by his early study of the Bible that they gave him a telescope as a reward. As he viewed the night sky with his new possession he became fascinated with the stars and planets. And as a result of his interest in astronomy he began to dream of the possibility of space travel.
Von Braun early on decided to dedicate his life to making space travel a reality. He completed his Ph.D. in physics at the age of 22 at the University of Berlin and soon after assembled a team that began doing extensive research on rockets. According to Ann Lamont: “Over the next 10 years, he and his team significantly extended the existing technology relating to rocket propulsion, aerodynamics, and rocket guidance systems. These technological advances soon gave rise to anti-aircraft missiles and a long-range ballistic missile known as the V-2.”1
While von Braun was interested in developing rockets mainly for peaceful uses the German Nazi government was using his V-2 rockets to bomb civilian populations in its attempt to win World War II. Von Braun refused to participate in this misuse of his technology and as a result was briefly jailed in 1944 until Hitler realized he needed von Braun to continue developing more rockets. As World War II was ending he, and many members of his team, decided to surrender to the Americans because he felt they were much more likely to use their resources for space exploration.
At first the Americans were interested in using von Braun’s rocket knowledge for military uses but when the Soviet Union launched its Sputnik I spacecraft in October 1957, the United States decided that they could also go ahead with their newly created desire to compete with the Russians in what was the beginning of the space race. Lamont adds: “Suddenly, von Braun was given the go-ahead to use a Jupiter rocket developed for the weapons program to launch a satellite developed during an earlier discontinued project. The satellite ‘Explorer I’ was launched by von Braun on January 31, 1958, only four months after Sputnik I.”2
It is truly amazing how competition can change the course of history. By the end of 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was created and von Braun was made director of the space flight center. Not only that but his entire team of scientists were transferred from the army to NASA.
When all was said and done von Braun became instrumental in all phases of our three manned space programs – Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. And as I said at the beginning of this devotion, it is not hyperbole to say that von Braun was a key player in getting us to the moon through the launching of the Apollo spacecraft by a Saturn V rocket – developed with his help.
Von Braun, far from being a passive Christian, had a great love of the Lord and viewed himself and the field of science as beacons that point to Jesus. As a scientist von Braun stood in awe at our great Creator and the universe He made. He once said: “Manned space flight is an amazing achievement, but it has opened for mankind thus far only a tiny door for viewing the awesome reaches of space. An outlook through this peep-hole at the vast mysteries of the universe should only confirm our belief in the certainty of its Creator.”3
Below are a few more quotes by von Braun to show you his understanding that our universe demands a Creator.4
“In this modern world of ours many people seem to think that science has somehow made such religious ideas as immortality untimely or old fashioned. I think science has a real surprise for the skeptics. Science, for instance, tells us that nothing in nature, not even the tiniest particle, can disappear without a trace. Nature does not know extinction. All it knows is transformation. If God applies this fundamental principle to the most minute and insignificant parts of His universe, doesn’t it make sense to assume that He applies it to the masterpiece of His creation, the human soul?”
“Science and religion are not antagonists. On the contrary, they are sisters. While science tries to learn more about the creation, religion tries to better understand the Creator. While through science man tries to harness the forces of nature around him, through religion he tries to harness the force of nature within him.”
“Although I know of no reference to Christ ever commenting on scientific work, I do know that He said, ‘Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ Thus, I am certain that, were He among us today, Christ would encourage scientific research as modern man’s most noble striving to comprehend and admire His Father’s handiwork. The universe as revealed through scientific inquiry is the living witness that God has indeed been at work.”
“For me, the idea of a creation is not conceivable without invoking the necessity of design. One cannot be exposed to the law and order of the universe without concluding that there must be design and purpose behind it all.”
“I find it as difficult to understand a scientist who does not acknowledge the presence of a superior rationality behind the existence of the universe as it is to comprehend a theologian who would deny the advances of science.”
1 Great Creation Scientists: Wernher Von Braun (1912–1977) | Answers in Genesis
2 Great Creation Scientists: Wernher Von Braun (1912–1977) | Answers in Genesis
3 Great Creation Scientists: Wernher Von Braun (1912–1977) | Answers in Genesis
4 All of the quotes below are from the following website:
TOP 25 QUOTES BY WERNHER VON BRAUN (of 54) | A-Z Quotes (azquotes.com)
As you know, Curt Werner Von Braun was a boyhood hero of mine. It’s a shame that the scientific community has become so intolerant and hostile to people that share the spiritual convictions of Van Braun.
“The more I study science, the more I believe in God.”
Albert Einstein