
Will Reality of Extraterrestrial Life Shatter Religion?
Date: Wednesday, April 18 @ 03:20:52 CDT Topic: 2. Paranormal News
In the words of physicist and author Paul Davies, "The existence of extraterrestrial intelligences would have a profound impact on religion, shattering completely the traditional perspective of God's special relationship with man. The difficulties are particularly acute for Christianity, which postulates that Jesus Christ was God incarnate whose mission was to provide salvation for man on Earth. The prospect of a host of 'alien Christs' systematically visiting every inhabited planet in the physical form of the local creatures has a rather absurd aspect."
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Most Christians don't give much thought to the existence of extraterrestrial life, and if pressed for an answer, they usually either deny their existence, or suggest that there is an underlying deception that links them with fallen angels. According to Tariq Malik, staff writer for Space.com, a telephone poll, which questioned one thousand Americans, revealed that regular churchgoers were less likely to believe in extraterrestrial life (about 46 percent) than non-churchgoers (about 70 percent) …"2
Additionally, in May of 2005, a survey conducted by the National Institute for Discovery Science was given to pastors, priests, and rabbis across the United States, asking basic questions relating to extraterrestrial life.3 Out of all of the comments posted in the survey, not a single one formed the basic conclusion that angels, by definition, are intelligent beings whose origins are not from Earth. All of these people have been reading and studying the Bible most of their lives, and couldn't see the basic fact that one of the primary themes of the Bible is God's intervention in the affairs of humanity through extraterrestrial beings.
Furthermore, of the 42 percent that gave positive responses, most of them had theological questions they thought might be a struggle to deal with, reminiscent of Paul Davies statement above. My question is, WHY?
According to the Bible, God picked Earth to initiate his great plan of attack against Satan and to save all the casualties of sin who want to be saved. To do this, God undertook a two-part mission, which is still in progress: come to Earth in the form of a human being (Jesus) and die for everyone's sins-then after conquering death, ensure the spreading of the Gospel of repentance and salvation.
Concerning the first part of his mission, scripture states that Jesus suffered death on the cross once and for all (Hebrews 10:10).4 I personally see no reason he should have to suffer a similar fate anywhere else. Why would Jesus' dealing with sin and death be any different as another species on another planet? God defines sin and death with absolute definitions that pertain to all life. Therefore the cross is sufficient for all of it, even if it extends into the cosmos.
Hebrews 10:10 (bold emphasis added)
By thee which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Concerning the second part of Jesus' mission, Hebrews 2:16-18 indicates that salvation is not for angels, but for the descendants of Abraham.
Hebrews 2:16-18 (bold emphasis added)
For verily He took not on him the nature of angels; but He took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted.
Does this confine salvation to the inhabitants of Earth? The true descendants of Abraham are not defined as biological descendants. This definition, based on one's DNA rather than the grace of God, would disqualify a large, faithful portion of even the human race; rather, the descendants of Abraham are those who belong to Christ (Galatians 3:26-29).
Galatians 3:26-29 (bold emphasis added)
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
No word is mentioned about what species they are, or what planet or dimension they come from. Scripture only states that salvation is not for the angels, and even that statement is somewhat vague. What defines an angel? Better yet, who defines an angel?
Jesus defined angels as beings who neither marry nor are given in marriage. He also said that humans who are saved would one day be translated into this new nature (Matthew 22:30; Mark 12:25; Luke 20:35; Revelation 21:16-17; 22:8-9).
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