CNN reports that recent findings from a NASA telescope suggest that the Milky Way galaxy “may be rich in Earth-sized planets”. One-hundred and fifty have been detected thus far. There may be an estimate one-hundred million planets with conditions similar to our own.
If it was discovered that there is another planet like earth with a race like humanity would this change your theological constructs at all? How would this change your view of doctrines like creation, the incarnation, and various eschatological scenarios? Would you have no problem whatsoever with such an idea? Maybe you already believe that there must be another race like our own somewhere. If you are a Christian how have you reconciled this with the Christian narrative?
I haven’t thought enough about it yet to say I have an opinion but I’d like to hear yours if you have one.
the archives near Emmaus 
I’ve heard it said that if there was another race out there that they would need to hear the gospel too. What if that race had never fallen from grace though?
Excellent question! It would be almost like a parallel universe where our Adam-Eve figures never sinned. In that scenario it has often been suggested that Christ would have come anyways since the goal was not redemption alone but the glorification of the Creator by creation which is a task given to humanity to cultivate which would have been the role of Christ anyways. So would this other race have a different purpose?
By the way, for any future comments, I may not be able to respond until Monday since I am going out of town soon.
It seems to me that scripture only tells us a general story about the part of creation not specific to earth. The details are about mankind and earth. There is certainly room for other planets to be created and some of them to be inhabited – scripture is silent on that.
I think it hubris to assume God absolutely did not create other life elsewhere. I could be wrong but I also feel it is perfectly compatible with my Christian world-view. If that “life” has a “person” or “consciousness” existing “out there” then we have precedent (e.g. earth) that God will or has interacted with them and reconciled them if need be.
Let me add, I am not saying He “must” have created other life “out there” but that to rule out the possibility is beyond me.
I have pondered this quite a bit. I posted something about it on my blog not too long ago also.
Personally, I think that if we find life on other planets, then it is going to change theology dramatically.
Are they too created in the image of God? Is Christ’s atonement efficacious for them? If they are not human, then is it possible for Christ’s atonement to cover them? Would the existence of aliens mesh better with a Christus Victor model of atonement or a penal substitutionary model? What if they had a religion which makes the claim that the Creator entered into the creation by becoming one of them and that this person lived and teached the kingdom of God? Would that point away from traditional Trinitarian and incarnational theology?
They are just some of the many interesting questions that the existence of aliens has raised in my head.
These are ideas that C.S. Lewis played with long ago. Check out his planetary trilogy, Perelandra in particular.
To me, to be human is to be created in the image of God. With a living soul, unlike any other creature because each and every thing we think or feel or experience originated in the very heart of God, making us God’s most powerful creation. Besides intellect and emotion, to be human is to be born having ancestors who ate of the tree of knowledge and good and evil. Two people who thought that they could just live their lives well enough if they knew what they were supposed to do and what they weren’t supposed to do. Who tried to have a good life without a relationship with God, something that’s proved impossible thanks to God’s continual dealing with us. By showing us everything that’s faulty about that original lie (concerning knowing good and evil), God’s shown mankind that the only way to live is by relating to Him. So no, I don’t believe there are other humans, other life forms, yeah, but not other humans.
I think other life forms exist because God is a creator, that’s just what He does; the source of life itself. But I don’t believe there are other humans because if they were, they’d be in the Bible because they’d have fallen from grace and would need the gospel too. It couldn’t have happened any other way, this other (non-existent) race would definitely need a different purpose because there is sanity and purpose in God’s ways. Not that humanity is inherently flawed and had to sin from the beginning, but if you keep in mind that we weren’t created out of necessity nor ambivalence but out of love, then it’s clear just how special we really are. Humans are unique, God loves us so much because we were especially created for a distinct reason, not as some failed experiment warranting a parallel “perfect” universe. Basically, I believe that He made us to save us.
Reference all of Jesus’ parable about the kingdom of heaven, especially the one of the wheat and the tares and the one of the treasure buried in the field.
While I am sympathetic to James’ response that if there are other beings out there this surely cannot be a problem for Christian theology I think Diglot is correct to note that there very well might be. There are serious questions that would need to be asked of many of our doctrines.
If there was another race created in God’s image, they too would be capable of love and loyalty. Intrinsically, creation is inferior to it’s Creator, so while God knows all, His creation needs to be taught certain things. Our entire concept of love comes from God, and it’s the only thing that produces our loyalty to Him. This other race would need to know God the same way He’s revealed Himself to us, if indeed they were anything like human beings. When Adam chose Eve over God, it showed us that having the power of ‘free-will’ wasn’t enough to ensure that we would fulfil our God-ordained purpose. We needed to be taught what to choose, more specifically we had to learn to choose God. When God told the children of Israel that He’d set before them life and death, He didn’t stop there, He advised them what to choose; life.
To me, that’s the whole point of the incarnation, so that we can observe the love God demonstrated to us, and choose Him. If they was life on other planets that was anything like us humans, they’d need to know what to do with their power to choose. God would have had to reveal Himself to them like He did to us, so they’d have to know the gospel.
However, I believe that there is life on other planets, but not other humans. I believe these other beings know God like we do, or like the angels do, but they are lesser beings in that they weren’t created with living souls. Angels have the power to choose too, but know God in a different way from us because they serve Him in a different capacity; their can be no forgiveness for them, they don’t have the dual-nature of flesh and spirit like we do. I think creatures on other planets are probably somewhat like the creatures that worship around the throne of God as described in Revelation; nothing like us humans and with a completely different purpose.
My point is this; no, my theology isn’t affected (or threatened) by the existence of life elsewhere. Simply because my theology is based on how man relates to God and how God deals with us, basically the revelation He has given us in Jesus Christ. Other beings have different natures, so they relate to God differently and He deals with them differently, (hence my argument dwelling on the angels). They know Jesus is Lord, because His incarnation reconciled everything to Him, but His death didn’t atone for them because they didn’t need a mediating sacrifice in order to know God. i.e. they’ve never rebelled because they don’t have the same capacity as we do.
Wildflower,
Good thoughts, thanks for sharing. One question: if there was another “human” race and God had to teach them how to live how would this effect your doctrine of the nature of Christ and the Trinity. Could God be incarnate in two different people in two different races in two difference places? Or would God need to find another means other than incarnation?
diglot, good thoughts. I agree to a point. Notice, too, that I said an “absolute not” is not really a good answer or reply to this conundrum. I simply do not believe we have enough data as of yet to make the claim absolutely. I am just a truth seeker and no expert. You noted:
“Are they too created in the image of God? Is Christ’s atonement efficacious for them? If they are not human, then is it possible for Christ’s atonement to cover them?”
I understand your questions and they are good ones, however I do not think they must characterize the data this way. For example, I stated that “if life” has a “person” or “consciousness” existing “out there” then we have precedent (e.g. earth) that God will or has interacted with them and reconciled them if need be.” In other words, in our experience we know that God has interacted with us and even had a plan for reconciliation. For me, this is precedence to assume (all I can do at this point) He would do the same in other worlds. It is possible that He existentially “manifested” Himself to them in a unique way as well depending on their consciousness. If we say the Christo-centric model applies to all intelligent life in the universe and the standard of “made into his image” then it is still possible IMO. For example, we have speech, intellect, mercy, love, justice because we are made into the image of God. These characteristics are certainly possible in other intelligent life if such existed.
This topic is really very subjective however and it is enjoyable to simply share thoughts. However I think the fundamental thing is God’s desire. If God desires X, but does not bring it to pass because it is logically impossible to bring about X without preventing Y, which God desires more.
It is important to note that logical impossibilities are not in the same category as physical impossibilities. God cannot make a square circle. If what He produces is a circle, it is not a square; if what He produces is a square, it is not a circle; and if what He produces is a hybrid circle and square, then it is neither a circle nor a square (this is why it is also logically impossible for God to make a rock He cannot lift).
Nothing concrete here just some musings.
Brian, you asked “Could God be incarnate in two different people in two different races in two difference places? Or would God need to find another means other than incarnation?”
I do not accept the Trinitarian model but I would say that in this regards since there is no place where God must extend in order to reach then this should present not logical impossibility. Physically? Now that may remain as mysterious as the properties of the Trinity. The problem seems to arise in what is “flesh” and can aliens or other intelligent life be said to possess it.
James,
I think we must seriously reconsider the nature of the incarnation if God can be incarnate in multiple places. It would minimize the incarnation of Jesus Christ. This even seems to open doors to possible multiple incarnations in this world like the Hindus claim.
I agree Brian. The Incarnation is a unique event producing a one of a kind man–the savior/redeemer for humanity. That is also why I pointed to the tension between logical and physical possibilities. I think it may be logically possible but not physically possible or probable at this point since the universe does not seem to be life flourishing overall in other parts of the universe. Thoughts?
James,
You may be providing a very beneficial distinction. It could be logically possible. I am not sure if it is physically possible. I guess that is part of the interest in this news story. My central problem would be we see Christ as the incarnate Word of God. When Christ acts he is the God-man. There is no separating the two natures. If the Word could be incarnate in another human this does seem to separate the two natures to the extend that the divine Word can do something disassociated from the incarnation.
My primary concern would be the nature of the kenosis. If the Son emptied himself to be incarnate to be incarnate elsewhere suggest he does some things outside of his incarnation in Christ. This seems problematic to me.
The inspired Word of God tells us that ADAM and EVE were given basic instructions to cultivate the paradisaic garden they were entrusted with. Genesis 2:1-25 Had there not been the entrance of greedy aspirations into their behavior, the perfection created within them could have been passed on genetically to all their subsequent off-spring who would also have to be instructed as to the responsibilities given originally to their parents. Human history for the past 6,000 years have given us the results of their not retaining an intimate association with their Creator. All descendants of ADAM and EVE are subject to the “futility” of being alienated from God as mentioned at Romans 8:20. There is no mention in the Bible of any further communication from God towards ADAM and EVE after their being dismissed from the paradise garden. Up until that point God had proven himself to be a Provider, Educator, Protector of the initial humans here on Earth! However after their rebellion they were no longer beneficiaries of PROGRESSIVE revelations coming from God that would sustain their livelihood, as Jesus himself later indicated in his response to tempting offers from Satan! “Man MUST LIVE not by bread alone, but by EVERY utterance coming from God’s mouth!” Matthew 4:4 Thereby being “disconnected” from the Source of all LIFE, KNOWLEDGE, WISDOM, Adam and Eve along with all their subsequent off-spring were resigned to making it on their own without any further instructions or revelations from God. Psalm 111:10 Thus we observe humans down to this day attempting all manner of ALTERNATIVE avenues of governing their affairs contrary to God’s instructions, culminating in sad results. Proverbs 29:18 states that; “Where there is no VISION, the people go UNRESTRAINED!” How unrestrained, wild, uncontrolled, belligerent, rebellious, etc. do we observe people as being in the world we live in today? This behavior is characteristic of people following a flawed set of instructions, or no instructions at all! To find temporary relief of their misery they resort to excesses in morality, drugs, alcohol, extreme religions and/or philosophical movements, etc. All of this is because they REFUSE THE VISION that God has sent them, the BIBLE. Revelation 22:11,18-19 Adherence to the instructions of God opens up a view or perspective un-matched by any HUMAN source of instruction. Galatians 1:11-12 The combined accumulation of HUMAN knowledge and wisdom down through the ages has not improved us to the point of where God started the process with Adam and Eve. Nothing HUMANLY conceived has approached the ORIGINAL blueprint! We thus on our OWN, delve into QUESTIONS pertaining to the WHAT-IFS of this , and WHAT-IFS of that? WHAT-IF THERE IS LIFE IN OTHER WORLDS? WHAT-IF THEY ARE INTELLIGENT LIKE WE ARE? WHAT-IF THEY DO EXIST, ARE THEY ATTEMPTING TO CONTACT US? WHAT-IF WE CAN FIND A WAY TO REACH THEM? The list can go on and on. But there has been intelligent LIFE that has CONTACTED us! THE ENTIRE BIBLE IS THAT COMMUNIQUE! 2 Timothy 3:16-17 /Hebrews 4:12-13 It was inspired and written long before HUBBLE, KEPLER, AND JAMES R. WEBB TELESCOPES CAME INTO BEING, AND CAN VISUALIZE MUCH FARTHER THAN THEY CAN, AS WELL AS EXPLAIN PRECISELY WHAT IT IS SEEING! So the answer is NO, GOD has not CHOSEN to reveal to HUMANS or anyone else what HE intends to DO with the magnanimous universe that is HIS creation. The LIGHT that HE initially installed is still burning strong and that will remain! The question to us; ARE WE TO REMAIN? CAN WE EXPECT TO TRAVERSE AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT, THIS VAST UNIVERSE AND REACH THE ANSWER? OR SHOULD ACCEPT GOD’S PROVISION, THE BIBLE, THUS SEEKING HIS MIND? THE SPEED OF LIGHT IS 5,878,612,843,200 MILES PER ANNUM/EARTH SOLAR CYCLE! GODSPEED!
let us for a moment go back towards the place at which god resides in, the immaterial and theorize that all material comes from ‘him’, id surmize that if other creatures of great intellectual powers existed that they come from god concerning the issue of humanity, for, after the fall, according to some we are not truly human but a, lower form of our previous humanity; adam and eve being ‘human’ pre-fall. it seems we would then have “…the man on the island…” scenario, if we cross off the issue of what is ‘human’. concerning these other humanoids, i see no problem with a christo-centric principle for it can be possible that the sin which entered through the fall would ripple throughout the cosmos, effecting everything, everyone. it could be, that if there were aliens, they would be in great dire if the gospel does not reach them, though, if they have great intellectual power a thereom of god would probably already exist which then we can do as paul on mars hill.
i thought id throw a lure out too lol
haha o the irony! what if the fall of man was only isolated to us here on this planet, and there, these aliens exist in the paradasaical harmonized attuned godly world. should we go to them, if they’ve never seen, or possess sin? ..and in our attempts to spread the gospel we accidently reveal sin to them?
@Juven: Your crazy mind has thrown out some very interesting, hypothetical possibilities. I had not thought of human sin impacting other beings but Scripture does seem to use language suggesting it has impacted the cosmos and Christ’s resurrection has done the same, in reverse!
Do you still belive in bible stories?
It’s up to you. Also what ever human kind find it does not matter
Always ,there are going to be people who want to believe
in something and people ready to make up the scriptures to their convenience to manage weak people’s mind ( spiritual power).
Life is still the real miracle anywhere. Also moral values do not have to change, for any reason. We need to learn to respect our lives and others lives in the whole universe.
Since our physical characteristics are not what make us part of the body of Christ, I don’t see a problem with Jesus being the sacrificial Lamb provided for the entire universe. We accept that each of us when we become Christian are indwelt by God’s Holy Spirit and it is that which makes us new creations, no longer mere humans. That same Holy Spirit which is unlimited could easily be sent to indwell God’s children on planets innumerable. Jesus’ sacrifice was factual long before we had a manifestation of it on this planet. The only thing that would necessitate changing the model of the Trinity or creation would simply be our unbelief. Obviously God out thinks us on all levels and for this I am eternally grateful!
@Nancy: True, God is far beyond our comprehension and even our language about him.
And what happens when the aliens present their own gospel of completely different ideals and stories which they feel is correct. Or possibly that they believe in polytheism. Who are you to tell them that you are more correct than they are?
In Genesis 6: the spirit sons of God or spirit persons looked down and saw the daughters of men and they were good looking and came to the earth. If there were other planets with other women? Why didn’t they notice it before this planet was made habitable?
Job 1: shows these spirit sons of God going back and forth from heaven to the earth. So we are not alone in the Universe. They had a special interest in humans.
Job 38:7 showed these sons of God, applauded at the creation of the earth. So they were not humans living on the earth so technically that makes them aliens. God or Jesus or other spirit sons do not live on earth? I think we are the culmanation of billions of years of effort in creating this planet. I also think he has allowed enough time to complete his purpose. Filling this planet with righteous people.