How would the finding of even basic life or evidence of it on another planet (even microbiological) be explained biblically?
I enjoy amateur astronomy. Recently, one of the Mars expeditions found a strong indication through water there that it is highly likely life does or did exist in even basic form. It got me thinking as we explore deeper other worlds: since biblically life is only found to be on earth and other life is not mentioned, how would this be explained to me in my Christian faith and from a biblical standpoint?
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Asked October 10 2015
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Paul Fitzsimmons
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Tim Maas
The English author and Christian commentator C. S. Lewis did not view the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe (if it indeed exists) as posing insurmountable theological problems for Christians. God had taken the initiative to reveal to humanity the information in the Bible, and also to become human Himself, as part of His relationship with human life as we know it. Since (according to Christian belief) any other forms of life elsewhere in the universe must also have originated from or been made possible by God, God could have dealt separately with those life forms in revealing information about Himself that those life forms needed to know, but has chosen not to indicate if or how He has done that in the revelation that has been given to us. But that does not detract from the fact that God has revealed everything that the human race on earth needs to know in order to have eternal life -- most specifically (again) by becoming human Himself. Lewis discussed this subject in his essay, "Religion and Rocketry", which was part of the volume, "The World's Last Night and Other Essays", and which is available online. (I was unable to insert the entire unbroken web address in this response.) The web address starts with http://www.archive.org/stream/worldslastnighta012859mbp/worldslastnighta012859mbp_ The remainder of the address is djv.txt
Shirley H.
We are human with finite minds. Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Ecclesiastes 3:11, "He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God makes from the beginning to the end." Colossians 1:16 " For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and are in earth....17, And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist." God created all, who knows the vastness of heaven, or outer space. God's creation is I think way beyond what we could possibly imagine. Job 11:7 "Can thou by searching find out GOD?..." Job 26:14, "Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? But the thunder of his power who can understand?" Job chapter 38 The Lord answers Job. Vs. 4 "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?" God has many questions Job cannot answer, neither can we today! Job42:2,3 "I know that thou can do everything, and that no thought can be withheld from the e. Who is he that hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not." God has given us all we need to live a good life pleasing to Him. He has provided all we need for salvation and eternal life. If He made other universes, worlds, or creatures for His pleasure, He is 100 percent God! He can do whatever He wants. Make no mistake: Our Lord is Sovereign. He is God! It is His business, His choice.
Ajibola olufemi Alofe
The Lord Almighty in His infinite wisdom created the heavens and earth which stands for the earth and other planets. Others planets discovered by astronauts are classified under heavens as it is stated in the bible - Gen 1:1, Psalms 8:3. God really wants children of men to reside and inhabit the earth and not the heavens - Psalms 115:16. Heavens can only be inhabited not with our current physical bodies. Attempts by children of men to discover life in other planet would be met with disaster. Any invention of life in other planets other the earth which God has given to men to live and inhabit would be contrary to the perfect will and intention of God just as men now married men and wome marrying women, all these are defiling God's natural plan for man. God created man and gave man where he should stay and flourish (subdue) - Gen 1:28.
Kenneth Heck
Microbiological organisms are considered living by scientists, but the bible doesn't mention any living creatures not observable by the naked eye. We do not need to look through a telescope or microscope to live as our Lord requires us to. If life on other planets were an essential reality for human beings, God would have given us the scriptures to come to grips with it. Actually, independent physical life on other planets is highly unlikely to exist resembling earth life, since ours was created by Elohim in six days according to Gen 2:1 and possesses distinctive chemical characteristics. Nothing is stated in the bible that precludes so-called living organisms existing elsewhere, although they wouldn't be spiritually relatable to earth life, and wouldn't necessarily be called good, as life on earth was (Gen 1:31). Unless God reveals it to us, there is nothing for humans to be gained from interacting with any form of extra-terrestrial organisms, since they would not have our destiny according to the divine plan for life on earth.
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