The idea that aliens may exist has long been a source of debate among Christians, with some believing it threatens the credibility of God’s Word.
For centuries, humankind has been captivated by the possibility of extraterrestrial life. In recent years, reports of strange unidentified objects have given credibility to this age-old question – could there be more than just us in the universe? With our ever-advancing technology and access to information via the web, many wonder if sightings have further increased, driving curiosity and conversations to their peak, or if something else is going on.
A groundbreaking U.S. intelligence report in 2021 has brought the mysterious world of UFOs into focus, with a majority of Americans (65%) believing in extraterrestrial life outside our planet – an idea that is no longer just part of science fiction novels and movies. Americans largely see UFOs as having little to no influence on the security of their country. When considering U.S. national safety, 87% say that aliens are not a threat or only pose minimal danger; with just 10% viewing extraterrestrial visitors in a more significant light. But what of the 78.5% of American Christians? For many believers, aliens threaten the Word of God.
Although the Bible does not bring up extraterrestrial life directly, many Christians have conflicting thoughts on whether aliens exist and, if so, how that affects their faith. Some believers feel threatened by the possibility of alien civilizations, while some worry that extraterrestrial life forms could challenge traditional religious doctrines, and others choose to embrace it for further exploration into God’s creation. Whether people choose to embrace the possibility of aliens or take a more skeptical view, it is undeniable that the question of aliens has brought about passionate debates among Christians and inspired many to consider their own beliefs more deeply.
A Christian’s belief or disbelief in aliens comes down to personal interpretation of scripture. For example, there’s the interpretation of “God’s Word,” and then there’s the interpretation of a single word. Let’s explore that concept more in Genesis 1: 1-2. Some could interpret this passage as God creating the Universe and it seems science can back it.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 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
Genesis 1: 1-2
Science has a way of looking at the world and discovering the hidden secrets that remain just out of our everyday perception. By investigating the tiniest particles that make up our reality, quantum physicists have found something extraordinary lurking in what appears to be empty space. By experimenting with nothingness, they found remarkable things could emerge from making just slight modifications. Through careful experimentation, they have discovered that even the slightest modification to nothingness can result in remarkable outcomes. This begs the question, if such tiny changes can have such profound effects, what could bigger manipulations achieve? I’m not suggesting that the creation of Heaven and Earth was a slight modification on God’s part, but it is an interesting perspective to consider. After all, if God can create something as marvelous as our universe out of nothing, what else might be possible? Another example is found in Colossians 1:16, which suggests that God created ALL living things.
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him
Colossians 1:16
The concept of Heaven has been part of the Christian faith for centuries, viewed as a sacred abode created by God. While many have differing interpretations on its existence and who is eligible to enter it, such debate draws attention to how diverse this belief system truly is; at its core lies an ancient language with various translations that converge into our modern understanding today.
There’s no doubt that translation plays a huge role in how we understand the Bible. After all, it was written in languages that most of us don’t speak today. Hebrew and Greek are the two most common languages used in the Bible, and both have been translated into English. But it’s worth noting that even the original versions of the Bible have been rewritten and translated hundreds of times over the centuries. So it’s impossible to say for sure what words Jesus actually spoke. We do know, however, that Jesus did not speak English. This means that some of the concepts in the Bible, like “heaven,” can be lost in translation. The Greek word for heaven is “ouranos” and the Hebrew word is “shamayim.” Both of these can be translated as “sky.” This shows how something as simple as a word can be interpreted in different ways.
Psalms 19:1-4 speaks of the skies proclaiming the works of God.
Psalms 19:1-4″
- Heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
- Day after day, they pour forth speech; night after night, they reveal knowledge.
- They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.
- Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
While it is possible to interpret Psalms 19: 1-4 as something in the sky speaking knowledge telepathically, it is up to each individual to decide how they want to understand the scripture. Interpreting scripture is a personal endeavor that should be approached with caution. Christians who believe that their interpretation is the only Word of God are dangerous because they discount other people’s personal relationships with the divine, and are most likely to force their beliefs on others, using scripture to back up their claims. This can lead to all sorts of problems, from arguments and division within churches to outright hatred and violence. What matters most is not what somebody else believes, but what you believe and how you live your life accordingly.
Conclusion:
Speculation over extraterrestrials continues to be a topic of much debate and controversy, with Christians especially divided on the matter. Though there is no way for us humans to definitively answer this question casting doubt upon God’s infinite wisdom, some insight can be gleaned from Genesis 1:6, which speaks of Satan being a falling angel (from the sky) that roams the earth. It is important for both believers and non-believers alike to recognize limited capabilities in understanding divine truth; moreover, we should also remember Scripture must always be interpreted within its literary context, as translations are often inexact approximations at best.
Lastly, mysterious encounters with advanced, otherworldly visitors have been reported throughout history. Without speaking a single word, their visits appear to leave powerful messages in those they come across – suggesting an extraterrestrial intelligence far beyond our own.
That’s all.
As you were.
SoSaithTheGirl
