What are your beliefs/views on extraterrestrials (aliens)?

[Stockmanguitar]

I don't think I believe in aliens, but I'm not really sure. I've heard many different things from people. Also, is there anywhere in the Bible that might talk something about aliens or something?

 

[Atothetheist]

Well, I can't speak about it theologically, but scientifically, it could be a possibility.

Now, as to if they visit us, and abduct us, that is a totally different question.

 

[Eugene]

I do not believe we'll have a problem with abduction from the pictures I've seen of flying saucers; they're not big enough. Transportation must be an added obstacle to them as they're only here once in a while, and they may also have high fuel costs to consider.

Lately there are fewer unfamiliar alien sightings, and more recognizable aliens from south of the border. Those from outer space might be scared of us, or don't figure we are tasty enough as a food product. Then there's the possibility Roswell N.M. has already garnered all the gain they can from their supposed UFO incident, and have went back to farming. unno

 

[AlexBC]

Do I believe aliens have been visiting us?

No.

Do I think it's likely life exists on other planets?

Yes.

We're made up of most of the most commonly found elements. Hydrogen, oxygen, carbon etc. We're not exactly made of unique or rare stuff (though Humans have about 10 cents of gold in our bodies which is cool.).

 

[andymac1981]

I think to believe in aliens you would have to believe in evolution which is wrong. Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

I think this passage from scripture says it all God created everything and nowhere in creation did he create aliens. The popular concept of aliens today is either a race of beings that have "evolved" the same as many believe the human life has or they are non sentient life that is "evolving".

NASA are currently searching for planets that have similar characteristics to Earth ie to support life. While I don't doubt these planets may exist no life will be found on them as God created life here on Earth and no where in the Bible does it say God created life elsewhere.

 

[Grazer]

I try to keep an open mind on this. The universe is such a large place that it seems almost inconceivable that we would be the only intelligent life in it.

Theologically I'm not sure what it means if there is other intelligent life. Would it reduce our uniqueness as beings made in the image of God? I'm inclined to think not. The fact the Bible is silent on it proves nothing as its silent on a number of things.

I think John Lennox was interviewed about this, I'll see if I can find it.

 

[AlexBC]

I don't think the discovery of life on other planets has to contradict the Bible. As Grazer said, it is silent on a number of things.

Now, i'd be intetested to see what would happen if life is discovered on any of the moons in the solar system which is a distinct possibility. There are after all many Christian exobiologists (or is it Astrobiologist?).

 

[andymac1981]

Hi Grazer.

I believe that the belief in other intelligent life out with Earth is a big issue. Jesus Christ came to Earth to save us of OUR sins.

Genesis 1
26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

We were made in the image of God. If other intelligent life exists are they made of the image of God? And as we read on. In Genesis 3

15and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Jesus Christ as I say has been sent to save us from our sin, so we have our precious Redeemer. My question is if sentient life exists on a far of planet who is their Redeemer???

 

[Grazer]

Hi Grazer.

I believe that the belief in other intelligent life out with Earth is a big issue. Jesus Christ came to Earth to save us of OUR sins.

Genesis 1
26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

We were made in the image of God. If other intelligent life exists are they made of the image of God? And as we read on. In Genesis 3

15and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Jesus Christ as I say has been sent to save us from our sin, so we have our precious Redeemer. My question is if sentient life exists on a far of planet who is their Redeemer???

Well not all life on this 1 planet is made in the image of God so I see no issues there when you expand it to other planets.

As for a redeemer, again I see no issues for the same reasons. The answer simply maybe they don't have one as they are not made in the image of God (thats just one possible answer) Also, we need a redeemer because we've sinned, why are we assuming these beings have sinned?

 

[andymac1981]

I do see your argument though I believe that God has left us his inspired word the Bible. The Bible is our guide book for any questions we have in life.

For ET life to exist in the sense your are talking about either microbial or intelligent You would have to believe in evolution. Evolution is a man made theory and not supported by the bible. Again Genesis 1:1 tells us What God created in creation week and not once are aliens mentioned in that account. Genesis 1:1 also goes to disprove the existence of evolution as it clearly states God created man. So I think when we look to scripture it is clear life cannot exist in any sense on another planet.

 

[AlexBC]

I do see your argument though I believe that God has left us his inspired word the Bible. The Bible is our guide book for any questions we have in life.

For ET life to exist in the sense your are talking about either microbial or intelligent You would have to believe in evolution. Evolution is a man made theory and not supported by the bible. Again Genesis 1:1 tells us What God created in creation week and not once are aliens mentioned in that account. Genesis 1:1 also goes to disprove the existence of evolution as it clearly states God created man. So I think when we look to scripture it is clear life cannot exist in any sense on another planet.

I think it's very easy to believe in life on other planets AND be a Christian. The Bible says God created the Sun but we're seeing other suns being created right now in other parts of the galaxy.

And the Bible is very solar system centric. Just because there is no mention of things outside the creaton story does not mean they do not exist. Plutonium isn't mentioned anywhere but it exists.

And thete are so many Christians who believe in evolution now. I think you misunderstand the word THEORY. Theistic evolution is gaining a lot of ground.

 

[Grazer]

I do see your argument though I believe that God has left us his inspired word the Bible. The Bible is our guide book for any questions we have in life.

For ET life to exist in the sense your are talking about either microbial or intelligent You would have to believe in evolution. Evolution is a man made theory and not supported by the bible. Again Genesis 1:1 tells us What God created in creation week and not once are aliens mentioned in that account. Genesis 1:1 also goes to disprove the existence of evolution as it clearly states God created man. So I think when we look to scripture it is clear life cannot exist in any sense on another planet.

There are several issues there. Evolution and God are not conflicting or competing explanations, they are different types of explanation. Evolution is a mechanism, God is an agent/designer.

Also it is a scientific theory but Genesis is not a scientific textbook so its not designed to deal with the accuracy of a scientific theory. It does answer why we are here, what is the purpose of life etc.

The nature of the Genesis text is a massive topic in itself but scripture cannot affirm or deny the existence of other life as its not designed to answer it.

 

[WIP]

Hi Grazer.

I believe that the belief in other intelligent life out with Earth is a big issue. Jesus Christ came to Earth to save us of OUR sins.

Genesis 1
26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

We were made in the image of God. If other intelligent life exists are they made of the image of God? And as we read on. In Genesis 3

15and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Jesus Christ as I say has been sent to save us from our sin, so we have our precious Redeemer. My question is if sentient life exists on a far of planet who is their Redeemer???

Isn't it possible that God created life in His image on other planets elsewhere but just didn't tell us about it? And, isn't it also possible that Jesus is their redeemer too but we have not been told about it? I don't presume that God has told us everything there is to know. Only that which he felt we need to know.

That said, I can postulate that there is a chance for life, even intelligent life, even Christian life to exist elsewhere even though we have not been told about it. It's a vast universe. Who knows what God is doing with it? Maybe he just doesn't feel we need to know. At this point in our growth all we can do is ponder the possibilities but even so, perhaps it is a waste of our time and taking us away from where we should be focusing our attention? There is also that possibility.

 

[andymac1981]

Hi Alex

I believe fully it is easy to be a Christian and believe in aliens. Just because it is easy doesn't mean it is correct and I respectfully and lovingly disagree with you.

Evolution is a man made theory based upon assumptions. As Christians we have no need for assumptions any answers we seek are within the Bible if we pray and read all will become clear.

I feel Evolution is a big danger to many Christians today. Evolution is in essence man made it was 1st thought of by Greek scholars and Charles Darwin a prominent atheist was the 1st to put a "scientific argument" forward for evolution. You mentioned theistic evolution. In my view this is Christians trying to make a man made assumption fit into a biblical view.

Revelation 22:18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book,

Are some Christians trying to crowbar a man made view into the bible???

I am not surprised that a discussion about the existence of ET life has turned into a debate on evolution. As I said previous i believe evolution is a big danger to Christians today.

 

[andymac1981]

Hi WIP

as I said in one of my previous posts in Genesis 3:15 God sent Jesus Christ to die for our sins. Now if there were other "Christian aliens" from other planets why would God not make them known to us. We are encouraged to share fellowship with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ how could we do this if we do not know they exists?

Ephasians 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

I think this verse says it all really that all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and WHICH ARE ON EARTH.

 

[Grazer]

Hi Alex

I believe fully it is easy to be a Christian and believe in aliens. Just because it is easy doesn't mean it is correct and I respectfully and lovingly disagree with you.

Evolution is a man made theory based upon assumptions. As Christians we have no need for assumptions any answers we seek are within the Bible if we pray and read all will become clear.

I feel Evolution is a big danger to many Christians today. Evolution is in essence man made it was 1st thought of by Greek scholars and Charles Darwin a prominent atheist was the 1st to put a "scientific argument" forward for evolution. You mentioned theistic evolution. In my view this is Christians trying to make a man made assumption fit into a biblical view.

Revelation 22:18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book,

Are some Christians trying to crowbar a man made view into the bible???

I am not surprised that a discussion about the existence of ET life has turned into a debate on evolution. As I said previous i believe evolution is a big danger to Christians today.

The theory of evolution, when properly understood, poses no danger to Christians what so ever for the reasons I've briefly highlighted. It's not about forcing a man made idea into scripture, its about letting scripture speak for itself (spot the irony in that statement) I hold scripture very dear and have prayed about this a lot. These are the answers I've had.

 

[andymac1981]

I think you have not seen my point evolution is not at all biblical but it's origins are man made. If we let scripture speak for itself can you point me to where in scripture evolution is mentioned??

 

[AlexBC]

I think you have not seen my point evolution is not at all biblical but it's origins are man made. If we let scripture speak for itself can you point me to where in scripture evolution is mentioned??

Grazer makes some very good points. There's no reason it can't be compatible with the Bible. And bacteria are nowhere mentioned in the Bible. They exist.

And if you reject the existence the "E" word then no more vaccinations or innoculations for you. Wouldn't have those without an understanding of it. Hope you have a good immune system.


And this thread could easily go off topic I fear

 

[Grazer]

I think you have not seen my point evolution is not at all biblical but it's origins are man made. If we let scripture speak for itself can you point me to where in scripture evolution is mentioned??

I have seen your point but disagree with the conclusions you are trying to draw. I won't find the second law of thermodynamics or indeed law of gravity, should I dismiss those as unbiblical aswell? I won't find evolution in the Bible for the same reason I won't find any scientific law in there; its not trying to teach science. I've found Augustine helpful in this situation:

"It not infrequently happens that something about the earth, about the sky, about other elements of this world, about the motion and rotation or even the magnitude and distances of the stars, about definite eclipses of the sun and moon, about the passage of years and seasons, about the nature of animals, of fruits, of stones, and of other such things, may be known with the greatest certainty by reasoning or by experience, even by one who is not a Christian. It is too disgraceful and ruinous, though, and greatly to be avoided, that he [the non-Christian] should hear a Christian speaking so idiotically on these matters, and as if in accord with Christian writings, that he might say that he could scarcely keep from laughing when he saw how totally in error they are. In view of this and in keeping it in mind constantly while dealing with the book of Genesis, I have, insofar as I was able, explained in detail and set forth for consideration the meanings of obscure passages, taking care not to affirm rashly some one meaning to the prejudice of another and perhaps better explanation"

I'm aware this is getting off topic so please feel free to PM me or start another thread so we can continue this.

 

[andymac1981]

Yea we have dragged it a good bit off topic and I do apologise. I will send you a PM although I am in work again just now. I look forward to speaking with you.