Vatican: It’s totally cool to believe in aliens
posted at 7:45 pm on May 13, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Is it really, though? Not to go all atheisty on you here, but doesn’t this raise certain uncomfortably absurd theological questions for the Church, like, say, whether Christ’s death also redeemed the Martians, why he was created in our image instead of theirs, whether the coming of the Kingdom of God is strictly an earthly matter or interplanetary, etc etc? You don’t get to sketch out an entire complex metaphysical system for the world and then just shoehorn the rest of the universe in by saying, “Oh yeah, them too.”
The Rev. Jose Gabriel Funes, the Jesuit director of the Vatican Observatory, was quoted as saying the vastness of the universe means it is possible there could be other forms of life outside Earth, even intelligent ones.
“How can we rule out that life may have developed elsewhere?” Funes said. “Just as we consider earthly creatures as ‘a brother,’ and ’sister,’ why should we not talk about an ‘extraterrestrial brother’? It would still be part of creation.”
In the interview by the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, Funes said that such a notion “doesn’t contradict our faith” because aliens would still be God’s creatures. Ruling out the existence of aliens would be like “putting limits” on God’s creative freedom, he said.
The interview, headlined “The extraterrestrial is my brother,” covered a variety of topics including the relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and science, and the theological implications of the existence of alien life.
Exit question: Can the extraterrestrial really be my brother if he wants to (a) probe me, (b) enslave me to work in his crystal mines, and/or (c) serve me as an entree?
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Even illegal aliens?
right2bright on May 13, 2008 at 7:49 PM
Whose to say that Christ didn’t go down to Mars to die for the Martians’ sins? Whose to say that He even needed to?
The existence of aliens has really no baring on Catholic dogma at all.
bnelson44 on May 13, 2008 at 7:49 PM
Sounds like al-Qaeda.
bnelson44 on May 13, 2008 at 7:50 PM
What is the difference between other beings and animals on the Earth? No one’s faith is shaken because Jesus didn’t preach to horses, is it?
Spirit of 1776 on May 13, 2008 at 7:53 PM
So does it mean the Christian theology went from nuts down to… uhm, what?
freevillage on May 13, 2008 at 7:54 PM
There has been plenty of probing, slavery, and cannibalism on this planet, what is the difference if it is another planet?
Christ was crucified in Jerusalaem and saves believers in Papa New Guinea. Why not on another planet as well, as soon as news reaches there? For planets that are too far away from Earth to receive the gospel from us, God’s plan could certainly provide for Christ to become a baby of whatever physical form suits that planet.
pedestrian on May 13, 2008 at 7:57 PM
….well salvation would be limited to mankind unless God has a separate contract with the ETs. This is one area where Scientology is much more up to date… and yet just as absurd.
Nonsense Factor 4…. Engage.
lexhamfox on May 13, 2008 at 7:58 PM
You have no problem imagining just how large the universe is, yet you think that ‘god’ only applies to this dirt ball on which we live?
Your ‘god’ is too small.
rockhauler on May 13, 2008 at 7:59 PM
FWIW I don’t believe in aliens. But if there were aliens, I would agree with the Vatican that they would have been created by God too since He created everything in the Universe.
Maybe other alien races created by God never committed the original sin and would not need salvation. But again I reiterate that I don’t believe in aliens. . . although I’m certain that AP is having loads of fun with this one:) Carry on.
ThackerAgency on May 13, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Just a CYA move on the Vatican’s part. They are aware that Ron Paul is about to reveal his true identity.
Limerick on May 13, 2008 at 8:05 PM
HAHA. What more can anyone say?! Thread closed.
Spirit of 1776 on May 13, 2008 at 8:06 PM
When The Outer Limits restarted, there was a short story about a ship exploring a dead world whose star went nova. A civilization was destroyed on that world. There was a priest among the crew and discusses a bit about faith and alien life.
To his horror, when the crew determined when the star went nova, the priest realized that when the light from the nova reached Earth, that became the Star the Wise Men saw in the sky to follow. He was troubled that Man’s Redemption was at the expense of an alien civilization. A crew member had to console him. She offered that for something that’s a Blessing on Earth, it had also to be a Blessing for the planet. They must have fulfilled Something such that God called them to Heaven to become the light to lead Man to his journey.
It was the first and only time religion was treated with respect in tv science fiction until Babylon 5. I acknowledge original Star Trek had one episode that shed good light on religion, and Christianty in particular – “Bread and Circuses”
hadsil on May 13, 2008 at 8:06 PM
I treat the subject of extraterrestrial life the same way I treat the subject of God. I don’t buy it but if they suddenly shows up at my door, I’m not going to tell them that they don’t exist.
MikeZero on May 13, 2008 at 8:11 PM
Who are we as mere mortal human beings to say what an omni-powerful deity can or cannot create.
Tremor on May 13, 2008 at 8:13 PM
This is just marvelous for Christianity. Really.
I bet those Italians will really fill the cathedrals now.
emailnuevo on May 13, 2008 at 8:15 PM
I hope this little jewel from the Vatican will convince NASA to stop spending my tax money to find life on other worlds in order to “prove” God does not exist.
AZCON on May 13, 2008 at 8:20 PM
According the the scripture, God created us in HIS image, not the other way around.
itsdave on May 13, 2008 at 8:23 PM
So let me get this straight, AP: as an atheist, you don’t believe that God exists. And if you reject the historical, anthropological, logical, ethical, etc. reasons for God’s existence, then it must also be true that, for you, the existence of aliens, whose main kerygmatic import revolves around what Bubba said happened to him one night in the woods, is also a fabrication. This being the case, are you asking Christians here to resolve theological problems that may exist between two entities that you believe don’t exist?
Weight of Glory on May 13, 2008 at 8:25 PM
re-posting from the headlines:
C.S. Lewis’s Space Trilogy explicitly dealt with life on Mars and Venus and the religious implications of such.
In the first book, Out of that Silent Planet, a man vists Mars and he learns that its aliens have never had a “Fall,” and that they are in no need of redemption because they’re already in communion with God.
In the second book, Perelandra, the man vists Venus and must grapple with another man possessed by Satan, to prevent a “Fall” on Venus which would doom them to mankind’s fate. Lewis theorizes here that that if that were to happen, a “second” greater sacrifice would be required by God in order to redeem the aliens of Venus.
Sydney Carton on May 13, 2008 at 8:27 PM
The headline is misleading. One priest working in Rome does not equal ‘The Vatican’.
Pax Vobiscum
A J on May 13, 2008 at 8:31 PM
I mean look, the idea that Christianity is all about rules and dogma and is firmly inflexible, and has little to do with ones relationship to God comes from only two places: Catholics and Athiests.
Aliens are pretty easy to “shoehorn in” to that framework. As is evolution. As is the Big Bang theory. As is all science. Because Christianity is not about the natural, it’s about the supernatural.
It’s like trying to explain art with math. It can be done, but it’s missing the point.
apollyonbob on May 13, 2008 at 8:32 PM
The good priest sounds sure enough of himself that I suspect contact has been made, Pope to ET.
AZCON on May 13, 2008 at 8:34 PM
That would be hilarious – the announcement of extraterristrial contact preceeded by the Vatican announcing, “Hey aliens are totally cool with our theology.”
Turns out the Roswell coverup wasn’t the government after all – it was the CATHOLICS!
apollyonbob on May 13, 2008 at 8:35 PM
OT (sorta) The new Mars lander touches down in about 11 days or so near the south pole. Not a rover this time, more like the original Vikings, but much more capable. Wouldn’t bother me a bit if Emperor Ming walked by the cam.
Limerick on May 13, 2008 at 8:35 PM
Excellent! Few reference his Sci-Fi books. In his, Surprised by Joy, he recounts how his uncle helped ignite his love for H.G. Wells.
Weight of Glory on May 13, 2008 at 8:37 PM
Arthur C. Clark – The Star
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Star_(short_story)
BJ* on May 13, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Winner.
knob on May 13, 2008 at 8:38 PM
I’m agnostic on the issue of extraterrestrial intelligence other than to agree with Carl Sagan that it probably exists. My father did believe that E.T’s exist and pointed to John 14:2, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.”
GISAP on May 13, 2008 at 8:44 PM
ST: Deep Space Nine was pretty much all about religion. Its commander was a religious icon in his first officer’s religion. But if you’re talking about Christianity specifically then you’re probably correct.
baldilocks on May 13, 2008 at 8:44 PM
Would it redeem Martians: Very maybe.
Why he was created in our image instead of theirs: I think this question should read “were we created in His image or were they?”. Either way the question belies a mistunderstanding of what it means to be made in God’s image. Unless the question really WAS supposed to ask how God was created, in which case, you stay classy AP.
Whether the coming of the Kingdom of God is strictly an earthly matter or interplanetary: The new creation is supposed to be a reforming of everything in creation, so yeah, everything will be in the mix. However, this interpretation sets a pretty narrow scope for what is meant by the Kingdom of God. I doubt it’ll be something entirely physical.
AbaddonsReign on May 13, 2008 at 8:45 PM
Now this is the thread-winner.
baldilocks on May 13, 2008 at 8:46 PM
Score one for Catholicism.
-high fives the Pope-
CABE on May 13, 2008 at 8:47 PM
Replace “Catholics and atheists” with “biblical literalists” and I’m in complete agreement with this post.
RightOFLeft on May 13, 2008 at 8:49 PM
Old joke:
In Alaska:
Man 1: “Is it cold outside?”
Man 2: “Does the Pope wear a funny hat?”
New joke:
In Hawaii:
Man 1: “Is it warm outside?”
Man 2: “Is the Space Pope reptilian?”
VolMagic on May 13, 2008 at 8:53 PM
True! The various practices of Catholicsm (Single male priests, the Eucharist, saints, Marian devotion, birth control) remain unchanged. However, the ability to assimilate scientific truths sets the Catholic church aside from many others. I suppose after Galileo the lesson was learned.
Meanwhile many of my evangelical friends thing the world is 4000 years old.
AbaddonsReign on May 13, 2008 at 8:54 PM
That’s about the most ridiculous thing I have ever read.
treyevans on May 13, 2008 at 8:54 PM
Robert Browning’s “Caliban On Setebos.”
http://www.sparknotes.com/poetry/browning/section12.rhtml
VolMagic on May 13, 2008 at 8:56 PM
The Bible LITERALLY says, “There’s only two rules: Love each other; Love God.” :P My theory is that they would believe that it’s about relationship and not religion if they really knew the Bible. My guess is that the people you mean are really good at parroting what their pastor tells them.
apollyonbob on May 13, 2008 at 8:56 PM
And with that little nugget of highly useful information, the Pope has officially leaped the carcharhiniforme.
Splashman on May 13, 2008 at 8:59 PM
Thanks for reposting. Loved that CS Lewis trilogy – esp Perelandra. For the first time I understood how an unfallen being, so in communion with God, could possibly be tempted into disobeying Him. Lewis also deals with the question, in the first or second book, of how God could easily come in the form of an alien race and save them, if such were needed.
Ray Bradbury had the same idea as CS Lewis in The Martian Chronicles and imagined a priest expecting to minister to sinful Martians but to his great surprise discovering them sinless (”The Fire Balloons”). Great story.
inviolet on May 13, 2008 at 9:00 PM
Exactly Allahpundit.
I did an exhaustive study on the Biblical view of alien life and published it via this podcast. While the Bible doesn’t say anything about life in outer space, it does say a lot about the relationship between humanity and God, and the details of that relationship leave very little room for the possibility of life anywhere else in the Universe. At least Biblically speaking.
Joshua P. Allem on May 13, 2008 at 9:01 PM
As an Indiana Conservative, I’m barred from reading any poetry over 10 stanzas. Its in the official rulebook. I promise.
Besides, I’d actually misread what AP wrote. I didn’t realize the subject of the sentence was Jesus. In which case, it’s a fantastic question that we’ll have to deal with in the event of an alien encounter.
I’ll keep my telescope ready.
AbaddonsReign on May 13, 2008 at 9:01 PM
That’s sort of the ironic thing about a “literal” interpretation of the bible: it’s still an interpretation.
RightOFLeft on May 13, 2008 at 9:08 PM
Yeah, I mean there are parts of the Bible I understand to be literal (Don’t have sex with animals, don’t fry a goat in its mother’s milk) and there are parts which are very metaphorical and vague (Song of Solomon, Daniel) … So I’ve never quite understood people who take scriptures from it and somehow base whole doctrines on it, without taking any context into account.
*shrugs*
Anyway, that’s how you end up with the Forever Infallible Catholic Church having to reassure their followers that if aliens are found it wont be the end of the world as we know it.
apollyonbob on May 13, 2008 at 9:12 PM
CS Lewis wrote an interesting space trilogy that explored some of these issues. May I suggest reading Out of the Silent Planet and Perelandra? In them Lewis portrays Malacandra (Mars) as a planet where Original Sin never occurred and Perelandra (Venus) as a planet where the Adam/Eve decision hangs in the balance. Thulcandra (Earth) is seen by denizens of Mars as rebel territory.
packsoldier on May 13, 2008 at 9:16 PM
This time “rh” you got it right…!
J_Gocht on May 13, 2008 at 9:17 PM
Did they say anything about hot chicks on Battlestar Galactica?
Ali-Bubba on May 13, 2008 at 9:22 PM
In the early 90’s, when evidence started rolling in about planets external to our own Solar system, it was explained to me thus:
Cosmic phenomena happen in one of three numbers:
0—doesn’t happen at all
1—A unique, singular circumstance
And the third number is infinity. In short, every place in the universe where the conditions are right.
We are getting close to probing a moon of Saturn’s in which it is suspected there is life. There is evidence of possible life on Mars, be it microscopic and/or in the past. If this is true, it means life is everywhere in the universe in which conditions are right. The question is coming as to where aliens fit, theologically speaking. The Vatican seems to just be getting a head start.
Sekhmet on May 13, 2008 at 9:23 PM
I see a demotion in Rev. Jose Gabriel Funes future.
Maxx on May 13, 2008 at 9:26 PM
“You can’t stand the truth…!”— Jack Nicholson
J_Gocht on May 13, 2008 at 9:31 PM
Did they say anything about hot chicks on Battlestar Galactica?
All the hot ones are Cylons, except for whatshername wife of the chief, and she got spaced.
I’m not sure if the Bible mentions Cylons, though they may be in the book of Matthew.
Bishop on May 13, 2008 at 9:32 PM
No doubt we’ll know when we meet the Martians.
Sure you do! I enjoy these sorts of press releases from the Vatican because they implicitly acknowledge that centuries of accumulated Bulls and dogma were nice and all, but the faith is still based on simpler things. Like, you know, the Bible.
This sort of thing would have had to be addressed sooner or later. Internet atheists (to distinguish them from real atheists) have been working themselves into a frenzy over how the existence of extraterrestrial life would definitively prove something or other about God.
HitNRun on May 13, 2008 at 9:33 PM
“You can’t stand the truth…!”— Jack Nicholson
It’s “You can’t handle the truth!” Nothing personal, just sayin’.
Bishop on May 13, 2008 at 9:33 PM
‘twasn’t me Bishop…it was the good friar!
“…a great house shall fall, whilst its foundation was laid upon shifting sand…”
J_Gocht on May 13, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Thanks for the correction…!
J_Gocht on May 13, 2008 at 9:47 PM
Maybe they will shove us into cages and eat us.
JiangxiDad on May 13, 2008 at 9:53 PM
Worlds without end.
Mormons teach that other worlds are populated by children of the same god as our earth.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that…
Maquis on May 13, 2008 at 10:17 PM
Come on people. It’s a really big universe out there. Don’t be so naive as to think that we are the only show in town.
SoulGlo on May 13, 2008 at 10:21 PM
I’ve actually read something about this before. It’s not totally new.
The nuanced Vatican position is that in all of God’s universe, there may be other life out there and what purpose they serve has yet to be seen. But regardless of if they exist or not, God’s creative and redemptive acts have taken place here on Earth through Jesus Christ.
So basically it’s spin that says even if aliens do exist (they may or may not, we take no position), we humans are still the big thing in the Divine Plan.
Vatican Watcher on May 13, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Well…not what I understood. I heard basically a restatement of what CS Lewis said in that space trilogy mentioned above (really worth a read): that (paraphrase) “we [humans] have only been told the part of the story which concerns us.” For all we know there may be many races out there, some unfallen, some sinners, with their own salvation stories (if needed).
inviolet on May 13, 2008 at 10:33 PM
I think Benedict is a cute little old guy and I like him even if he does believe in aliens.
jeanie on May 13, 2008 at 10:42 PM
I, myself, don’t believe there is anything out there, except minerals and gasses. The rest of the universe is sterile. No other life forms whatsoever.
I want the scientists to keep looking though. But, I don’t want them passing off some b.s. like that space rock found in the Antarctic that was from Mars and has microscopic little twists or furrows in the rock and saying that was some previous life form that created these “markings” in the rock. If they have to resort to some microscopic b.s. to try to prove that there are other life forms; present or past, that won’t cut it with me. Show me something that is substantial that everyone can gaze upon.
cjs1943 on May 13, 2008 at 10:51 PM
I’m not a life bigot, personally. I hope there is life out there, and cannot imagine a reason for it to not be so.
Maquis on May 13, 2008 at 11:11 PM
Excellent rebuttal!
jgapinoy on May 13, 2008 at 11:20 PM
Classic
Baphomet on May 13, 2008 at 11:22 PM
Some of you STILL don’t believe???
You alienphobes! You Earthists!
jgapinoy on May 13, 2008 at 11:26 PM
There are people who do each of those.
jgapinoy on May 13, 2008 at 11:27 PM
I sincerely hope that God is teaching extraterrestrials the Golden Rule somewhere right at this very minute.
RBMN on May 13, 2008 at 11:28 PM
According to some of our most prestigious apologists for evolutionary theory, there ARE aliens out there. It’s a handy explanation for the origin of life on Earth. Little green men seeded our planet.
Does that explanation make more or less sense than lightning striking a mud puddle?
jgapinoy on May 13, 2008 at 11:31 PM
The Scriptures are clear in saying that the Christ is firstborn of Creation, for He is the Only-begotten of the Father, and it is through Him that all things are made, and that all Creation till now is groaning in consequence of the sin of Adam. The Scriptures do claim transcendent and universal truth without boundary.
One may simply not posit an unfallen part of the cosmos and stay true to the plain words of the Scriptures.
In any case, such stuff is speculative, and speculative theology is not Christian theology.
Scribbler on May 13, 2008 at 11:53 PM
I can’t imagine why Christianity has been destroyed in the minds of so many people. With crap like this, it’s no wonder why people leave the church. Ever since the Scopes Trial, where people saw that Christians couldn’t answer something as simple as “where did Cain get his wife?”
Rather than taking the tough questions head on, so many in the church shy away and reduce the Christian faith to nothing more than myths and a quasi-Christian self-help program. Such damned nonsense.
It’s a shame that Christian apologists such as Ravi Zacharias, C.S. Lewis, Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, Norm Geisler, and others don’t get the press that some get. For those seriously wishing to know more about the answers to skeptics’ questions, you should look to men such as they, not to tap dancers like the Pope. Ironic how it was St. Peter who said, “Always be prepared to give an answer to anyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…”
Send_Me on May 14, 2008 at 12:12 AM
A very good point that I had not thought of.
jgapinoy on May 14, 2008 at 12:13 AM
Was that in the Scopes trial or in the largely fictitious movie Inherit The Wind that purported to portray the Scopes trial?
jgapinoy on May 14, 2008 at 12:16 AM
Don’t forget Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis.
jgapinoy on May 14, 2008 at 12:17 AM
Could God create a boulder he could not lift?
You want to talk about absurd questions…
F15Mech on May 14, 2008 at 12:25 AM
He can do anything He wants to do.
jgapinoy on May 14, 2008 at 12:36 AM
Yeah, Inherit the Wind didn’t help much, but the larger point had already been made in the trial itself.
And yep, Ken Ham, Henry Morris, Duane Gish, and many others. But you know, why is it that every time a movie like that or Contact or Dogma or any other movie that brings up skeptical ideas of Christianity, we view it as a threat and not an opportunity? When the “world” introduces the subject into the marketplace of ideas, we should go on the offense, listing our reasons for believing as we do, destroying their arguments with reason, not yelling or shaking our head in disgust. What’s to fear about speaking the Truth in love?
Send_Me on May 14, 2008 at 12:37 AM
It’s an impossible, hence absurd, question. Much like asking, “how hot is red?” Or, “what shape is four?” They’re nonsensical. God is infinite, but not illogical.
Send_Me on May 14, 2008 at 12:41 AM
within limits
F15Mech on May 14, 2008 at 12:42 AM
I feel a Chuck Norris Fact coming on…
sulla on May 14, 2008 at 2:52 AM
Riddles are fun. Everyone enjoys speculation. That Catholic astronomers have a soft spot for the extraterrestrial is their profession.
Reading King James’ or Shakespeare’s English resonates more depth than the sterile scientific abbreviation. The angels and chariots of fire of the old testament not only sound most eloquent compared to ET and UFO, but conjure the epic truth myth that Joseph Campbell expounded. Whereas, ET is a cheap propaganda ploy to sell candy, telephones, and bicycles that fly.
maverick muse on May 14, 2008 at 2:54 AM
“The skeptic asks how we can believe that God so ‘came down’ to this one tiny planet. The question would be embarrassing if we knew (1) that there are rational creatures on any of the other bodies that float in space; (2) that they have, like us, fallen and need redemption; (3) that their redemption must be in the same mode as ours; (4) that redemption in this mode has been withheld from them. But we know none of them. The universe may be full of happy lives that never needed redemption. It may be full of lives that have been redeemed in modes suitable to their condition, of which we can form no conception. It may be full of lives that have been redeemed in the very same mode as our own. It may be full of things quite other than life in which God is interested though we are not.”
C. S. Lewis
Miracles
JS on May 14, 2008 at 3:19 AM
Wht not? The churches peddling of bullsh/t is its stock in trade.
TheSitRep on May 14, 2008 at 7:16 AM
You have it backwards, Jesus wasn’t created in our image, we were created in God’s.
No competant theologian believes that this statement means that God has two legs, two arms, etc. They believe that this is a statement regarding man’s soul.
I see no reason why one should believe that aliens, if they exist, do not have souls.
MarkTheGreat on May 14, 2008 at 7:24 AM
So are you saying that it’s a cooked book?
James on May 14, 2008 at 8:51 AM
AP, depending on who you ask about ‘the image of God’ you may get a different answer. The Orthodox teach that the image of God encompasses roughly three things: Free will, Uniqueness and Relationality. That is, if said Martians have free will, are unique and are able to relate the same way ‘humans’ can, then they are in essence, human.
RiverCocytus on May 14, 2008 at 9:34 AM
So is it a sin for Martians to use birth control? I mean, some Martians that I’ve seen during acid flashbacks had a dozen penises, so that would be a pretty tall order to fulfill.
By the way, who is this Pope guy anyway?
Enrique on May 14, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Well, if there are space aliens, the same God that created us created them.
But, it seems to me that if there is life on other celestial bodies, and the Bible plainly talks about celestial bodies, then why is that life not mentioned in scripture? The OT is full of references to sun, moon, stars, and constellations. I would think that something that important would have been mentioned in the OT along with the other important prophecies. And how about the part in Isaiah that the heavens will roll up like a scroll? Do the space aliens get the same warning we do? Scripture is silent on this isnt it? And when Jesus gave the Great Commission, He told us to go into the world, that is, the people, and spread the Gospel. He didnt say anything about going to other planets to spread the Word. It seems to me if there were people on other planets, the Great Commission would have told us to go there.
I’m not categorically saying there are space aliens, nor am I categorically saying there are not space aliens, only that the possibility of alien life isn’t very likely.
abcurtis on May 14, 2008 at 11:38 AM
True as far as it goes. The Godhead is a tri-part being – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God revealed in three separate and distinct persons. This is called the Trinity. The Trinity, contrary to cult teachings, is supported by scripture.
Man, created in the image of God, is a triune being – body, soul, spirit.
abcurtis on May 14, 2008 at 11:42 AM
God (my God if you will) created the heavens and the earth. The OT refers to God in many places as the “Lord Of Hosts.” The Hebrew word for “hosts” is “tsaba” and it’s meaning is thus:
1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host
a) army, host
1) host (of organised army)
2) host (of angels)
3) of sun, moon, and stars
4) of whole creation
b) war, warfare, service, go out to war
c) service
So, if my God created the Heavens and the Earth, then mankind on this earth, then in His sovereignty He certainly is big enough to create life elsewhere in the universe. The question is, did He?
abcurtis on May 14, 2008 at 11:50 AM
I personally don’t care if aliens exist or not. I have enough to concern myself here. If they do exist and they are here, then I hope they mind the Prime Directive (or whatever) and leave when their Intergalactic Visas expire.
.
As for the “Could God create a boulder He couldn’t lift” question: Could you wait to ask that until I’m there? I would LOVE to be there when He answers that for you!
artlover on May 14, 2008 at 12:04 PM
I am a “biblical literalist”, an evangelical Christian if you will. First, God is not inflexible, He is unchangeable. He is the God of second chances, if He were inflexible He never would have provided a way for us for forgiveness of sins. But He did, through Christ Jesus.
As far as Christianity and its rules? There’s only one rule: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. And He gave us a New Commandment: Love one another.
As far as dogma, there is only one requirement to be a Christian: Believe in Jesus and Him crucified and resurrected.
abcurtis on May 14, 2008 at 12:08 PM
That the Bible doesn’t mention life on other planets doesn’t mean that there isn’t any. The Bible doesn’t mention the whole Western Hemisphere, yet I’m pretty sure it exists.
.
According to my studies & understanding, the Bible is a very long instruction manual on how to deal with the fallen human condition. It tells us why we are the way we are and what can be done about it. It mostly tells us what we need to know to regain our status with God while adding a few nuggets to stimulate our curiosity. If the same rules apply to ETs, I don’t know but I doubt it. The Crucifixion & Resurrection was for Earthers because it was the best way for us to be made right with God. If aliens exist, if they are sinful (as God determines Sin) and need a Savior, then God would have/will provide One according to their unique circumstances.
artlover on May 14, 2008 at 12:29 PM
YES, it does AP.
I’m glad you have some understanding of the gospel. Let me first say I’m not anti-Catholic so don’t any of you reading take this the wrong way, in fact I’m half Italian, was baptised Catholic as a child, still have the certificate from the Roman Catholic church! So I understand Catholics and they are some of the nicest people in the world! I have no doubt many of them are saved and going to heaven (those who understand the Gospel – the truth about Christ). The Catholic church though, that’s a different story. They have many unbiblical practices which are leading scores of people astray. For instance the Catholic confessional. This notion that a sinful man is able to forgive someone else’s sins is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. The Bible says, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1st Timothy 2:5). Jesus NEVER gave His Apostles the power to forgive people’s sins. Yet, according to Catholic.org …
“The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation is a Sacrament in which we are sorry for our sins, confess them to a priest, receive forgiveness for them and are reconciled with God and the Church.” Website
So this is a problem. No priest can forgive anyone’s sins. He can’t even forgive his own sins! Only God can forgive sins:
“Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?” Mark 2:7
Then there is Roman Catholic’s obsession with Mary… they expect Mary to reconcile them with God. If you are Catholic do not think your priest, Mary, or even the Pope can mediate and intercede for you — he can’t. There is only ONE mediator between God and man.
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” 1 Timothy 2:5
Please do not think I’m being disrespectful to Mary, she was a wonderful Christian lady. The Bible says Mary was “highly favored” and “blessed among women” because she had been given the priviledge of fulfilling the ancient promise made by God to mother Eve (Genesis 3:15). I hope and pray I will meet her in heaven one day, but nowhere in the Bible does it teach that Mary is able to hear our prayers or that she can mediate for us with God. So when Satan is using her image to deceive souls, I must blow the trumpet. There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5
If you are a Catholic I would get out.
Hope that helps.
apacalyps on May 14, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Brilliant! YES, so sad the media doesn’t interview real Biblical Scholars and Creation Scientists and put them on TV (CNN, FOX, and the other networks) which would make a huge difference clearing up alot the confusion people have about the Bible and God’s creation. Instead they rely on these half-wit, liberal, nitwit “theologians”, many who don’t even believe in the Diety of Christ. Such a wasted opportunity to learn.
apacalyps on May 14, 2008 at 1:05 PM
I’m very impressed Send_Me. Excellent post. Well, I’m trying to do my part. Let’s hope other Christians join us.
apacalyps on May 14, 2008 at 1:13 PM
I’ll start hearing the Roman Catholic church on Christian matters as soon as they become Christian. (I am talking about the institution and its nonbiblical doctrines, not the many good people in it.)
Also, aliens appearing would not destroy my faith, for many reasons sated above. But let’s cross that bridge the day that aliens do show up, which will never ever ever come.
Grafted on May 14, 2008 at 2:06 PM
…let’s put the burden of proof of alien existence on the alien seekers, shall we?
Grafted on May 14, 2008 at 2:07 PM
This is old hat in the SciFi world. Read C.S.Lewis’ Out of the Silent Planet or James Blish’s A Case of Conscience for opposing sides of the question as to whether extraterrestrials need redemption. (Actually Blish’s take is somewhat ambiguous so he doesn’t completely take the opposite position, but still a good read.)
The main scandal here is that people are seriously discussing the status of extraterrestrials without ever having met one. If the Vatican wants to position itself on the side of science, shouldn’t it wait until there is some actual, you know, data?
JackOfClubs on May 14, 2008 at 2:49 PM
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