Life on other planets?

[Jules C]

With the stupendous, mind-blowing number of other stars and galaxies, I dream of great minds and powers existing out there. Other races, far more advanced than our own.

What say you?

[markinro]

With the stupendous, mind-blowing number of other stars and galaxies, I dream of great minds and powers existing out there. Other races, far more advanced than our own.

What say you?

It's an interesting, man-made idea but there's no scripture supporting the notion.

Look at it this way - we have the LARGEST backyard anyone could imagine.

[Literalist-Luke]

With the stupendous, mind-blowing number of other stars and galaxies, I dream of great minds and powers existing out there. Other races, far more advanced than our own.

What say you?Uh, no. If you truly understood the Bible, there's no way you would think that. If there was intelligent life on other planets, we'd have to toss our Bibles in the dumpster.

[The Preacher]

Uh, no. If you truly understood the Bible, there's no way you would think that. If there was intelligent life on other planets, we'd have to toss our Bibles in the dumpster.


Finis Dake who was one the greatest scholars of the twentieth century believed in life on other planets. He wrote in his notes in his study bible about the possibility. Perhaps you can explain what it is you understand about the bible that makes you think that it excludes the possibility of life on other planets?:hmm:

[Rocking horse]

I don't think we can put limits on what God can do, or where He wants His creation to be...........in the scheme of things as far as planets go, I think we're pretty small.........I'm open minded about it.

[Literalist-Luke]

Finis Dake who was one the greatest scholars of the twentieth century believed in life on other planets. He wrote in his notes in his study bible about the possibility. Perhaps you can explain what it is you understand about the bible that makes you think that it excludes the possibility of life on other planets?:hmm:It has to do with the broadest perspective on the Bible. The whole point of our existence is to provide God with a vehicle through which to express His nature, which is essentially agape love. We are the focal point of the entire creation. To suggest that there could be other forms of intelligent life in the universe would mean that there are potentially other means of getting into heaven. You see, the whole point about Jesus being able to stand in our place in paying for our sins is because He was one of us. He was fully man.

If there are other forms of intelligent life on other planets, that would mean that, either they never sinned, or some other plan of salvation would have to exist for them, because Jesus could not stand in their place unless He also died for them as well on another occasion.

The Bible makes it pretty clear that God has put all His eggs in one basket - us. There is no Plan B. We are the focus of the universe that He has made.

(Actually, the angels would be the closest thing to other intelligent life in this universe, although they are normally in the spiritual realm as opposed to our physical realm.)

[MrAnteater]

It has to do with the broadest perspective on the Bible. The whole point of our existence is to provide God with a vehicle through which to express His nature, which is essentially agape love. We are the focal point of the entire creation. To suggest that there could be other forms of intelligent life in the universe would mean that there are potentially other means of getting into heaven. You see, the whole point about Jesus being able to stand in our place in paying for our sins is because He was one of us. He was fully man.

If there are other forms of intelligent life on other planets, that would mean that, either they never sinned, or some other plan of salvation would have to exist for them, because Jesus could not stand in their place unless He also died for them as well on another occasion.

The Bible makes it pretty clear that God has put all His eggs in one basket - us. There is no Plan B. We are the focus of the universe that He has made.

(Actually, the angels would be the closest thing to other intelligent life in this universe, although they are normally in the spiritual realm as opposed to our physical realm.)

I agree with your points. People miss the fact that there would need to be some salvation plan for other beings and Jesus says himself he came once to be the atonement of sin for all times.

There could have been some other salvation plan for angles once they were given the choice to follow Satan or not. But that's not in the physical realm anyhow.

[BrckBrln]

What about animals or something like that on other planets? They don't need to be saved so could they exist?

[Literalist-Luke]

What about animals or something like that on other planets? They don't need to be saved so could they exist?That would still require God to have created life on other planets. What would be the point? The whole point of creating the Earth with life on it was to provide an environment for the focus of his efforts - humans.

[Jules C]

The Bible makes it pretty clear that God has put all His eggs in one basket - us.


I find such a narrow perspective hard to tolerate.

[BrckBrln]

That would still require God to have created life on other planets.

Agreed.

What would be the point? The whole point of creating the Earth with life on it was to provide an environment for the focus of his efforts - humans.

Why did God make stars that are billions of light years away? It's not for us, but for Him. So maybe He created animal life on other planets that we will never discover. I'm not saying He did, but I think it's a possibility. :dunno:

[Literalist-Luke]

I find such a narrow perspective hard to tolerate.So refute me with Scripture - God's own Word.

Why do you find it hard to tolerate? The reason New Agers find it hard to tolerate is because they're clinging to the hope that they aren't going to be held responsible for what they do with Jesus. What's your complaint?

[Literalist-Luke]

Why did God make stars that are billions of light years away? It's not for us, but for Him. So maybe He created animal life on other planets that we will never discover. I'm not saying He did, but I think it's a possibility. :dunno:Romans 1:19-20 - "What may be known about God is plain to them (humankind), because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made."

The point of the entire creation is to reveal Himself to us. All the billions of stars and everything around us is to serve as proof of Who He is and what He's like. How could a Creator of such magnificence as we see all around us be anything less than a totally loving God who can be eminently trusted?

[BrckBrln]

The point of the entire creation is to reveal Himself to us. All the billions of stars and everything around us is to serve as proof of Who He is and what He's like.

And wouldn't finding some giant sea monster on another planet reveal God to us more? I was actually listening to William Lane Craig talk about life on other planets the other day and he said that Theists have more reason to think there is life out there than atheists because it would be all but impossible for life to form on other planets like it has supposedly ours. The chances are incredibly slim so to find life and would be more evidence for a creator, it seems. Especially if we found life on many planets.

[Literalist-Luke]

And wouldn't finding some giant sea monster on another planet reveal God to us more?How?I was actually listening to William Lane Craig talk about life on other planets the other day and he said that Theists have more reason to think there is life out there than atheists because it would be all but impossible for life to form on other planets like it has supposedly ours. The chances are incredibly slim so to find life and would be more evidence for a creator, it seems. Especially if we found life on many planets.That's assuming that God feels like He needs anymore proof and that it would really make any difference.

[BrckBrln]

That's assuming that God feels like He needs anymore proof and that it would really make any difference.

I think one star should be enough to prove God's existence, so why are there billions or more? I think, should we ever find life on other planets, it would be hard to simply explain it away without God.

[Jules C]

So refute me with Scripture - God's own Word.

I can't. All I will say is that being exposed to such narrow perspectives makes it increasingly difficult for me to accept some aspects of Christianity.

Why do you find it hard to tolerate? The reason New Agers find it hard to tolerate is because they're clinging to the hope that they aren't going to be held responsible for what they do with Jesus. What's your complaint?

This isn't the place to discuss it. I'll open another thread if you wish. I don't want to derail this thread as I find it a fascinating subject.

[ƒσяєяυииєя]

Romans 1:19-20 - "What may be known about God is plain to them (humankind), because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made."

The point of the entire creation is to reveal Himself to us. All the billions of stars and everything around us is to serve as proof of Who He is and what He's like. How could a Creator of such magnificence as we see all around us be anything less than a totally loving God who can be eminently trusted?

Hi Luke;

Supporting a bit the point, I`d like to quote some words from some Christan books ^^

"" ." The disciples hurried to the tomb, and found it as Mary had said. They saw the shroud and the napkin, but they did not find their Lord. Yet even here was testimony that He had risen. The graveclothes were not thrown heedlessly aside, but carefully folded, each in a place by itself. John "saw, and believed." He did not yet understand the scripture that Christ must rise from the dead; but he now remembered the Saviour's words foretelling His resurrection.
It was Christ Himself who had placed those graveclothes with such care.

When the mighty angel came down to the tomb, he was joined by another, who with his company had been keeping guard over the Lord's body. As the angel from heaven rolled away the stone, the other entered the tomb, and unbound the wrappings from the body of Jesus. But it was the Saviour's hand that folded each, and laid it in its place. In His sight who guides alike the star and the atom, there is nothing unimportant. Order and perfection are seen in all His work. Desire of Ages, 789.

And there`s one more let me see...
This is a kind of Promise regarding the time when the Great Controversy between Christ and Satan be ended:

"The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love. The Great Controversy, 678.

And the last one, this is a little bit longer, but conveys the idiea nicely:

"By coming to dwell with us, Jesus was to reveal God both to men and to angels. He was the Word of God,--God's thought made audible. In His prayer for His disciples He says, "I have declared unto them Thy name,"--"merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,"--"that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be in them, and I in them." But not alone for His earthborn children was this revelation given. Our little world is the lesson book of the universe. God's wonderful purpose of grace, the mystery of redeeming love, is the theme into which "angels desire to look," and it will be their study throughout endless ages. Both the redeemed [Page 20]and the unfallen beings will find in the cross of Christ their science and their song. It will be seen that the glory shining in the face of Jesus is the glory of self-sacrificing love. In the light from Calvary it will be seen that the law of self-renouncing love is the law of life for earth and heaven; that the love which "seeketh not her own" has its source in the heart of God; and that in the meek and lowly One is manifested the character of Him who dwelleth in the light which no man can approach unto.

In the beginning, God was revealed in all the works of creation. It was Christ that spread the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth. It was His hand that hung the worlds in space, and fashioned the flowers of the field. "His strength setteth fast the mountains." "The sea is His, and He made it." Ps. 65:6; 95:5. It was He that filled the earth with beauty, and the air with song. And upon all things in earth, and air, and sky, He wrote the message of the Father's love.

Now sin has marred God's perfect work, yet that handwriting remains. Even now all created things declare the glory of His excellence. There is nothing, save the selfish heart of man, that lives unto itself. No bird that cleaves the air, no animal that moves upon the ground, but ministers to some other life. There is no leaf of the forest, or lowly blade of grass, but has its ministry. Every tree and shrub and leaf pours forth that element of life without which neither man nor animal could live; and man and animal, in turn, minister to the life of tree and shrub and leaf. The flowers breathe fragrance and unfold their beauty in blessing [Page 21]to the world. The sun sheds its light to gladden a thousand worlds. The ocean, itself the source of all our springs and fountains, receives the streams from every land, but takes to give. The mists ascending from its bosom fall in showers to water the earth, that it may bring forth and bud.

The angels of glory find their joy in giving,--giving love and tireless watchcare to souls that are fallen and unholy. Heavenly beings woo the hearts of men; they bring to this dark world light from the courts above; by gentle and patient ministry they move upon the human spirit, to bring the lost into a fellowship with Christ which is even closer than they themselves can know. The Desire of Ages, 19.

God bless


______________________
Peace and so forth

-"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation..."[Salvation from what?.]
-Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominio and power, both now and ever. Amen. (Romans 1:16; John 8:34; Jude 1:24-25.)

http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/5459/natureavyty7.jpg

http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/3020/lifesigyyt9.gif

[daughter]

Before I was Christian I definitely believed in extra terrestrial life. My view has definitely shifted - and it was an awkward transit I must admit.

Thing is, scripturally speaking, if God created life on other planets (which no doubt He could have) then they too would have been dragged down into a world of corruption and death by our sin. The Bible seems to me to make it clear that only through the second Adam (that's Jesus) can the sons and daughters of the first Adam (that's us) be saved. Other life, particularly "intelligent" life wouldn't have that rescue option, which would seem to be somewhat unjust of God. And as God isn't unjust I've had to dump my sci fi speculations.

That's not to say that I don't sympathise with the desire to think there's "something out there"... but now I know there IS something out there... God!

Obviously it's possible to be a Christian and believe or at least speculate about extra terrestrial life. CS Lewis used sci fi as a great vehicle for adult parables on Christian themes. But I don't think it's biblically sound.

[markinro]

Before I was Christian I definitely believed in extra terrestrial life. My view has definitely shifted - and it was an awkward transit I must admit.

Thing is, scripturally speaking, if God created life on other planets (which no doubt He could have) then they too would have been dragged down into a world of corruption and death by our sin. The Bible seems to me to make it clear that only through the second Adam (that's Jesus) can the sons and daughters of the first Adam (that's us) be saved. Other life, particularly "intelligent" life wouldn't have that rescue option, which would seem to be somewhat unjust of God. And as God isn't unjust I've had to dump my sci fi speculations.

That's not to say that I don't sympathise with the desire to think there's "something out there"... but now I know there IS something out there... God!

Obviously it's possible to be a Christian and believe or at least speculate about extra terrestrial life. CS Lewis used sci fi as a great vehicle for adult parables on Christian themes. But I don't think it's biblically sound.

Oh sure, I enjoy science-fiction but I put equal emphasis on the word "fiction". In order for me to put any confidence in the claim of life on other planets, someone will have to show me...
1. A live alien
2. Dead alien and how he got here.

[The Preacher]

It has to do with the broadest perspective on the Bible. The whole point of our existence is to provide God with a vehicle through which to express His nature, which is essentially agape love. We are the focal point of the entire creation. To suggest that there could be other forms of intelligent life in the universe would mean that there are potentially other means of getting into heaven. You see, the whole point about Jesus being able to stand in our place in paying for our sins is because He was one of us. He was fully man.

If there are other forms of intelligent life on other planets, that would mean that, either they never sinned, or some other plan of salvation would have to exist for them, because Jesus could not stand in their place unless He also died for them as well on another occasion.

The Bible makes it pretty clear that God has put all His eggs in one basket - us. There is no Plan B. We are the focus of the universe that He has made.

(Actually, the angels would be the closest thing to other intelligent life in this universe, although they are normally in the spiritual realm as opposed to our physical realm.)

You are assuming things that the Bible doesn't say therefor it is all conjecture. Who is to say that other intelligent life was created in his image and that he would redeem them if they fell? Who is to say that all of them have fallen? I'm not saying there is life on other planets but it wouldn't destroy my faith if they were found. I guess a have a broader perspective on certain passages. For instance in:

Rom 8:19-22
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.


Many people take the above verses and assume that Man's fall is responsible for the law of "universal entropy" or the second law of thermodynamics. This may not be the case.

[Literalist-Luke]

You are assuming things that the Bible doesn't say therefor it is all conjecture. Who is to say that other intelligent life was created in his image and that he would redeem them if they fell? Who is to say that all of them have fallen? I'm not saying there is life on other planets but it wouldn't destroy my faith if they were found. I guess a have a broader perspective on certain passages. For instance in:

Rom 8:19-22
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.


Many people take the above verses and assume that Man's fall is responsible for the law of "universal entropy" or the second law of thermodynamics. This may not be the case.What is comes down to is that, even with a lack of any direct evidence in the Bible to support it, you are choosing to believe there might be life elsewhere. That's fine if you do, and I'm not going to fault you or condemn you for it by any means. It's just important to recognize that believing something like that is completely independent of any support from the Scriptures for it.

[Tonton]

Whether or not there is life out in space - we're the only ones made to the image of God!

We're the only ones destined for eternal life through Jesus.

The moment we deal with "alian abductions" and nonsense like that, I believe that we allow Satan an opportunity to bring in a lie when rapture happened.

Anton

[JWayne]

I voted no. And I see nothing in God's Word that would ever lead anyone to see otherwise. That's my answer and I'm sticking to it.

Wait, maybe the (if I remember correctly) JWs, or is it the Mormons, where one becomes Lord of their own planet and all of theirs will be their subjects? Nah, reread 1st statement.

[tayariswife]

i'm sorry if i missed it but where are the scriptures that relate dricetly to life on other planets, period? if it is not directly mentioned then how can we know for sure? i do not suggest to know anything for sure on this subject except that i would never limit any possibilities where it comes to God. i am suprized that it hasn't been mentioned, but what about the theory that the bible is for us, here on earth and that if there happened to be life elsewhere, they may have a different set of of circumstances.... i don't know, but then again, i don't care much either. i just find it interesting...
to be clear i am not saying i "believe in" aliens, just that i am concerned about what God requires from me here on earth. and if, when we go to heaven, there are aliens or we discover that it was all a farse, i can't imagine it will matter one bit to us either way. so hey, aliens make great movies and scary stories, but it just appears to be one of those things we can never know in our lifetimes.