Extraterrestrials

[Guest LaurenMay]

Purely speculative here, but what would the implications for Christianity be if intelligent life was found on another planet out there?

Would it have any impact on your beliefs at all, why/why not?

[BibleStudent100]

8 minutes ago, LaurenMay said:

Purely speculative here, but what would the implications for Christianity be if intelligent life was found on another planet out there

I enjoy your mental though experiment!  With the billions of planets "out there," there MIGHT be a planet that could support life (i.e. temperatures that human-like life forms could survive, along with a gas mixture that could support lung capacity, etc.), BUT would God have created and placed humans on another planet?  I sense not as I don't see any scriptural proof for this.  But the question certainly stretches one's imagination!

I'd love to see what our experts out there in Worthy Christian land think!

[walla299]

I'll have a go at it. There's lots of speculative sci-fi out there about life on other worlds but little from a believer's worldview.

The Bible says God created the heavens and the earth and everything in them. So if He decided to put life on other planets he could easily do so, but the Bible doesn't say whether He did or not. There's also the matter of the fall. The bible says that creation was subjected to futility due to the fall and so I think that would mean everything was affected by it including any other life on other planets. That opens a real can of worms about how life outside of earth would be affected post fall.

This brings up another idea. What if there was life elsewhere . . . and it found out that the fall of man was responsible for their (suffering / being affected by sin however that would work) and had the technology to get to earth. That could be a big problem should "they" decide to wipe us out over that.  So perhaps its best if we're left alone for now - until God has finished the plan of redemption and Jesus has returned and made everything right.

[Vine Abider]

1 hour ago, LaurenMay said:

Purely speculative here, but what would the implications for Christianity be if intelligent life was found on another planet out there?

Would it have any impact on your beliefs at all, why/why not?

My personal belief is that we are it (but I also don't see that the Bible precludes that He created life elsewhere).  So also is my personal belief that many of the various unexplained sightings of UFOs, crop circles and other such mysterious/paranormal manifestations, are generated by the dark powers to deceive mankind.  In these last days, these things may become part of the "strong delusion" to be unleashed on the world.

[Deborah_]

C S Lewis gave this question some thought (although unfortunately I can't remember which book he wrote about it in).

Basically, he said something like this:

1) We don't know whether or not there is other intelligent life in the universe

2) If there is, we don't know if they have sinned.

3) If they have sinned, then God has presumably arranged for their redemption.

4) It might even be the case that the Son has been incarnated on many different planets

5) All this is speculation!

In his sci-fi trilogy (Out of the Silent Planet, Voyage to Venus, That Hideous Strength), he imagined a non-fallen race of aliens living on Mars, plus an innocent 'Adam and Eve' couple on Venus, and how they might interact with fallen human beings. Well worth a read if you're interested in this subject.

[Hinds Feet]

I would say the only reason why scientists would think there is life outside of the earth, is because of how it is believed life came about on this planet.  If life came about by abiogenesis, and diversified by evolution, then their must be life elsewhere in the universe.  (Though I should also note many Christians also believe God created through these processes.)

For me, it would be hard to see there being life similar to us outside the earth.  Creatures with some type of flesh.  There are certainly other beings God created, but they are spiritual in nature.  The Earth could be the very first planet God created to be inhabited. (Isaiah 45:18)  After everything is said and done, perhaps God will create and order more planets throughout the universe.  Perhaps He will allow us to help in that task.

[Who me]

3 hours ago, LaurenMay said:

Purely speculative here, but what would the implications for Christianity be if intelligent life was found on another planet out there?

Would it have any impact on your beliefs at all, why/why not?

Personally  I do not think there is intelligent life out there.

That said I think the question should be turned around.

How would atheist scientist and astronomers react to contact is made with ' E T ' language  has been translated and the first serious  question from them is. " Can you tell us about Jesus? "

 

[The Survivor]

I have always believed that in God's huge playground, there either could be life (and I not be surprised) or it is all just something to keep humans busy to look at. If an alien ship can into orbit, I not take pictures, I not be surprised. I be wondering "what took them." My only concern is traffic if I am driving in it, and that my kids are safe since they are not living with me. But also the traffic.

So I can go either way because with God, who knows.

As before mentioned about the Fall, the Rapture, and how that all affects the universe, I got some thoughts. Just thoughts. One, the Bible is focused primarily on humans, on Earth. There is mention of fire in the sky (aliens or Heavenly fire, I forget the verse/translation) mentioned, there been giants mentioned (Goliath's people), then be large monsters (dinosaurs, most likely). But all on Earth. The Bible focuses on humans. Now, there is a very slight possibility that if God also created life elsewhere, they could have their own Christianity lives there too. It could theoretically be possible that the timelines of God's plans all coincide with one another, and both worlds can have their Raptures at the same time, both homeworlds destroyed (as for Earth will be wiped for a new Earth/Heaven), and we all then meeting in the one big, glorious Heaven planned... or maybe Deep Space Nine. So, that some of my theories. But I do not stress over them.

If a Klingon comes to fight, I got my own arsenal here, including a bat'leth. Bring it on, and Qapla'!

So I can go both ways if there is or not life out there. I not be surprised if there is, and not disappointed if there is not. But if I ever die and get to go to Heaven, and God gives me a job in the universe to maintain some planets, and I find they have walking tomatoes on them ho speak, I send you all a message.

[Marilyn C]

10 hours ago, LaurenMay said:

Purely speculative here, but what would the implications for Christianity be if intelligent life was found on another planet out there?

Would it have any impact on your beliefs at all, why/why not?

Hi Lauren,

Interesting question.

Now Jesus would have had to go and die for them too. But as God`s word says that Christ`s sacrifice is a once for all time then we know He didn`t. 

God`s great kingdom is described in His word encompassing the third heaven, the Universe and the earth. The universe involves all the myriads of planets etc. All of these are under Christ`s sovereign rule. There is none else. 

In the ages to come those who are on the new earth will populate and in their future will need to go to other planets. 

Marilyn.

[Marathoner]

10 hours ago, LaurenMay said:

Would it have any impact on your beliefs at all, why/why not?

No, it wouldn't. Why? Because the Lord is Almighty, and He created all things. If He sees fit to create life elsewhere in His creation, then it is according to His will and purpose.