For many of us ever since we saw the
movie ET back in the 1980s or the remake of it in 2002, we’ve had a curiosity
with beings who are not of this world. In fact, if you were to do an internet
search or just turn on the TV, it wouldn’t take you long to find something
which has to do with the extra-terrestrial. It seems like there are tons of
movies about these creatures from Independence Day, Aliens, Close Encounters of
the 3rd Kind, Star Wars, Star Trek, and tons of others.
Add to the movies, the supposed government
cover-ups, the various individuals claiming to have been abducted by aliens or
seen UFO; these things seem to be common place. NASA has committed $100 million
to a formal mission-the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence.”[i] And this
organization by itself known as (SETI), is planning on spending $5 million over
the next 2 years looking for aliens.[ii] Thus, when
one considers these things and the vastness of our universe, it would be very
easy to believe that we are not alone in this universe.
Are they real? Do they exist? If
they exist where did they come from? Do they offer us any possible cures for
the problems which we experience here on this planet? Most of all, is there any
truth to this? What does the Bible have to say about the topic of aliens?
Now, I would probably guess that a
few of you may have hard time with even thinking about the topic of aliens.
Maybe even you laughed inside or had some cynical thoughts about this topic.
However, when you fully understand
the ramifications of what we will be talking about, those sought of negative
thoughts should never again exist. And if you have an open mind, I assure you
that you will find very practical application behind the answer to this topic
by the time we are through this morning. In order to do a proper analysis of
this question concerning the existence of aliens, 4 primary questions must be
addressed.
First, what
does the teaching of Scripture say concerning the existence of aliens?
An internet search will reveal
approximately 34 passages pertaining to aliens. The most common reference has
nothing to do with the extraterrestrial rather it is using the term alien just
like how we do at times when speaking of a foreigner living in your midst
(Chinese, Italian, or a Canadian). We as Christians are consider aliens in this
same likeness since our true home is not of this world (1 Peter 1:1).
A few other verses are referenced in
Ezekiel and Revelation. However, these books are written in a writing style
known as apocalyptic literature. Apocalyptic literature extensively uses of
symbols, signs and metaphors. It was common during periods of exile to give
glimpses of a promised future deliverance instilling hope and perseverance in
light of their present dangers and/or oppressions.
However, when you discount all of
these and the few others which are clearly speaking of the spiritual reality,
all one is left to question is primarily one Hebrew word: the Nephilim. Who are
the Nephilim?
The Nephilim appear only in Genesis
6 and Numbers 13. In Genesis 6:4 we read, “The Nephilim were on the earth in
those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of men
and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.”
Throughout Genesis chapter 6 we see
as a result of what was happening, God decided to destroy the world with the
Flood. If these Nephilim are fallen angels then we have possible Biblical
support for the existence of aliens. And this is exactly what several
theologians believe and teach. Think about what I just said. There are big name
theologians, TV evangelists, college professors and churches which hold to this
belief. Therefore, for a person to question their existence is very rational.
The reason that these individuals
believe that these Nephilim are fallen angels and that from them we have
support for the existence of aliens comes from 2 reasons. First Genesis 6:4
tells us that they were the result of “the sons of God” and the daughters of
men. There are a couple of places in the Bible which do refer to angels as “the
sons of God” (Job 1:6-7; 2:1-2; 38:4-7; Psa. 29:1; 89:6).
The second reason why some
theologians believe that these Nephilim are referring to fallen angels comes
from 1 Enoch 69:4 and 5. The book of 1 Enoch is a part of something known as
the Pseudepigrapha. The word Pseudepigrapha means false writings. These writings
are a farce at best (see http://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/8576/why-is-the-book-of-enoch-not-regarded-as-canonical). I’m not aware of any group which accepts these false writings as
Scripture.
So let’s consider the argument that
the Nephilim are fallen angels and that’s where we get the aliens from. There
are three problems with this view that fallen angels got married to women and
had sexual relationships with them.
First, when the phrase “the sons of
God” refers to angels it is always point towards angels which are not fallen.
Second, the word Nephilim literally
means “the falling ones.” When one studies the various passages where
this concept is conveyed its meaning becomes clear.
*Judges 8:21—Zebah and Zalmuna asked Gideon to fall on/kill them
*1 Sam. 31:4—Saul fell on his sword committing suicide (1 Chr.
10:4)
*1 Sam. 31:5—Saul’s armor bearer likewise fell on his sword committing
suicide (1 Chr. 10:5)
* 2 Sam. 17:12—Hushai attempted to
lead an entire army to fall on/kill David
* 1 Kings 2:25, 29—Benaiah was commanded to go fall on/kill Joab
* 1 Kings 2:46—Benaiah was commanded to go fall on/kill Shimei
* Isa. 53:6—the justice/retribution which was do us on account of
our sins literally fell on Jesus
From each one of these references
the idea that is conveyed is that of murderer, to commit acts of violence, etc.
These Nephilim were known for just that. Genesis 6:11 says that the earth was
filled with violence. Thus, to call someone a Nephilim would be the same as
calling someone a murderer or a violent individual. It’s not talking about
aliens.
Furthermore, third, the strongest
case proving beyond a shadow of doubt that these are not angels comes from our
Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus plainly teaches in Matthew 22:30 that angels
do NOT marry. Yet Genesis 6:2 states that these “sons of God” married the
daughters of men. I just going to be pretty direct, to say that Jesus is wrong
is absurd! Jesus is God. He knows what He is talking about. Thus, these
Nephilim are NOT fallen angels of any sort regardless of what theologian or
church holds to this belief.
I want to make something very clear
though. When you consider the sheer numbers of people who hold to this idea, it
would be super easy to drift into believing the same thing. However, that
doesn’t change the truth. According to Jesus, these Nephilim are not fallen
angels. Therefore, the Bible does not have a single verse teaching the
existence of aliens.
On a side note, who are “the sons of
God” that Genesis 6:4 is talking about? The same thing that the phrase “the
sons of God” usually means in the Bible, it’s talking about believers (Deut.
14:1, 32:5; Psalms 73:15; Isa. 43:6; Hos. 1:10, 11:1; Matt. 5:9; Luke 3:38;
Rom. 8:14; Gal. 3:26; 1 John 3:1-2, 10 ("Daughters of men" were
sinful women, probably from the wicked line of Cain, while the "Sons of
God" were Sethites). Thus, the reason which led to the world’s immorality
that resulted in the Flood was believers marrying non-believers. Scripture
clearly warns about not being unequally yoked (2 Cor. 6:14) for this very
reason; there is an extremely high chance that you will be led astray.
Second, what
does the plan of redemption teaches us about aliens?
This is a theological question. If
these intelligent beings from another world exist, can they be saved? The
Answers in Genesis organization explains the dilemma like this. “If there are
intelligent beings on other planets, then they would have been affected by the
fall of Adam because the whole creation was affected. So these beings would
have to die because death was the penalty for sin. One day their planet will be
destroyed by fire during God’s final judgment, but they cannot have salvation
because that blessing is given only to humans.”[iii]
Plus, as Ken Ham goes on to say,
“Jesus didn’t become a “God-Klingon,” a “God-Vulcan,” or a “God-Cardassian”—He
became the God-man. It wouldn’t make sense theologically for there to be other
intelligent, physical beings who suffer because of Adam’s sin but cannot be
saved. [iv] So, the next time you hear someone
talking about UFOs and aliens: consider the theological ramifications behind
it.
1 Corinthians 15:21 says, “So
you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection
from the dead has begun through another Man. Just as everyone dies because we all
belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life.” Again I
want to stress the fact that a lot of churches, Bible Colleges and Christians
hold to the existence of aliens; so it is very to understand why anyone could
start to believe the same as well. However, whether it lines up with the truth
found in God’s Word, and third what the universe itself reveals to
us another question. But the point is, do not be led astray.
Third, what
does the universe reveal about their existence?
The core of our society, in other
words the people who write the text books which our kids use, the college
professor which teach the next generation of leaders, and our media want us to
believe in the existence of the extra terrestrial. Realizing this truth brings
us again to the conclusion of how easy it would be to believe in the existence
of the extraterrestrial.
But why do all of these highly
educated individuals in our society believe and teach the existence of aliens?
Simple, if there is life out there then God existence is thrown into serious
question. Granted it doesn’t completely rule out His existence, but
it definitely makes a lot of things which the Bible teaches concerning creation,
questionable.
It is for reasons like this that
atheist Carl Sagan back in the 1980s popularized the idea that there MUST be
intelligent life in outer space.2 From
an evolutionary perspective, it would make sense to suggest such a possibility.
People who believe this possibility contend that if life evolved on earth by
natural processes, then intelligent life MUST exist somewhere else in the far
reaches of space, given the size of the universe and the millions of possible
planets.
This would naturally be seen as a
validation of evolution. One could conceivably think about the endlessly
possibilities of intelligent life in outer space. Again this would bring us to
how easy it would be to believe in their existence. However, the Bible and the
universe do not reveal that? Consider the following.
Scripture teaches that the earth is
center stage; that is what is shown in the Genesis creation narrative. So why
would God create such a vast universe if it is only for those on the planet
Earth? Genesis 1:14 tells us that everything apart from earth was made for
purposes relating to the earth. For instance, the sun, moon, and stars were
made to “serve as signs to mark seasons, and for days, and years.” Psalm
19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work
of His hands.” The earth is unique; we may not completely understand everything
about it, but it is the case.
Isaiah 45:18 teaches that God
designed the earth alone for life. The other planets have an entirely different
purpose than does the earth, and thus, they are designed differently. So far,
based on man’s limited exploration of space and the solar system, this
certainly holds true.[v] Remember
people who hold to evolution want you to believe that there is tons of life out
there. Consider the following.
If the percentage of oxygen on earth
was slightly higher fires would spontaneously erupt; slightly lower, we’d
suffocate. If the gravitational force were changed by the amount on the screen,
the sun would not exist, and neither would we. If the earth’s tilt was slightly
different or if the distance to the sun was altered, life would not be
possible. Astrophysicist Dr. Hugh Ross cited 122 characteristics about our
universe that are finely-tuned to allow life to exist; if any one of these were
altered ever so slightly, life would not exist.
The odds of this happening on any
one planet are one in 10138 that’s one chance in one with 138 zeros
following it.[vi] In other
words, the world just as the Bible says, is an extremely unique place. Again I
want to stress, our society is seeking to indoctrinate us with evolution type
thinking, but we cannot allow it to subtly lead us astray.
Likewise, as Jason Lisle with
Answers in Genesis states, “So far, no one has discovered life on other planets
or detected any radio signals from intelligent aliens. This is certainly what a
biblical creationist would expect. Secular astronomers continue to search for
life on other worlds, but they have found only rocks and inanimate matter.
Their radio searches are met with silence. The real world is the biblical
world—a universe designed by God with the earth at the spiritual focal point,
not an evolutionary universe teeming with life.
When it comes to extraterrestrial
life, science is diametrically opposed to the evolutionary mentality. We currently
have no evidence of alien life-forms. This problem is not lost
on the secular scientists. It has been said that the atomic scientist Enrico
Fermi was once discussing the topic of extraterrestrial life when he asked the
profound question, “Where is everybody?”
We have seen that the earth is
designed for life. With its oceans of liquid water, a protective atmosphere
containing abundant free oxygen, and a distance from the sun that is just right
for life, earth was certainly designed by God to be inhabited. But the
other planets of the universe were not. From the sulfuric acid clouds of Venus
to the frozen wasteland of Pluto, the other worlds of our solar system are
beautiful and diverse, but they are not designed for life.[vii]
The earth is very special place just
like the Bible teaches. We may not completely understand why God has created
such a vast universe and only chosen to have one little planet inhabited. But
that is what Scripture reveals and that is what the evidence found in our
universe shows.
Lastly, fourth,
what is the evidence supporting the claim that they exist?
This brings us to the possible cover
ups, Roswell, NM, Area 51, possible UFO sightings and alien abductions. One
writer said, “Many UFO enthusiasts spread the “urban myth” of secret U.S.
government experiments on aliens, etc.—an idea reinforced by the movie Independence
Day. However, does a
cover-up make sense when, under the inspiration of atheists like the late Carl
Sagan, the U.S. government has spent millions of taxpayers' dollars listening
“out there” for signs of intelligent extraterrestrial life?
Many other evolutionary humanists,
like Sagan, passionately believe that intelligent life has evolved “out there”
in addition to earth, and would pounce on any hard evidence for this idea. Consider
the media frenzy about the “life in Mars rock” fiasco. To imagine that a much
more exciting discovery would be kept secret for decades defies credibility.[viii]
Remember what I said earlier, NASA
has committed $100 million to a formal mission-the Search for Extraterrestrial
Intelligence-but so far, no word has come from out there"[ix] Now I do
believe in UFOs, unidentified flying objects. But that’s just it—an object seen
in the sky that is unidentified by the person seeing it. It is unrealistic to
ask someone to interpret undocumented second or third hand stories with no
actual evidence available for inspection. There is no doubt that some people
sincerely have seen things in the sky that they do not understand.
Remember that we always interpret
evidence in light of our worldview. It is therefore crucial to have a correct,
Biblical worldview. Our society wants to indoctrinate us with an atheist,
evolutionary worldview. They even want their views to permeate the church and
they have succeeded among a large number churches. Thus, some theologians have
gone looking for any shred of possible evidence in the Bible supporting what
society teaches; that my friends, is the works of the devil. He wants to lead
us astray however he can.
It is for this reason that what God
has to say about the existence of the extra terrestrial comes from 1 John 4:1.
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see
whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the
world.” Therefore, even though I do not blame a person for wanting to
believe in the existence of aliens. Its teaching is throughout our society.
However, may we not be lead astray.
[i] Victoria Pope,
"Is There Life on Other Planets?," August 25, 1997
[ii] http://lightyears.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/10/200000-raised-to-resume-search-for-alien-life/; Internet;
accessed 13 February 2014.
[iii] Answers in
Genesis, “Do I Believe in UFOs? Absolutely!” by Ken Ham; available from http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v3/n1/believe-in-ufos; Internet;
accessed 10 February 2014.
[iv] Answers in
Genesis, “Do I Believe in UFOs? Absolutely!” by Ken Ham; available from http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v3/n1/believe-in-ufos; Internet;
accessed 10 February 2014.
[v] Answers in
Genesis, “Do I Believe in UFOs? Absolutely!” by Ken Ham; available from http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v3/n1/believe-in-ufos; Internet;
accessed 10 February 2014.
[vi] Hugh
Ross, Why I Believe in Divine Creation, p. 138-141
[vii] Answers in
Genesis, “The Bible and Modern Astrology: Part 2” by Jason Lisle; available
from http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/tba/bible-and-modern-astronomy-2; Internet;
accessed 10 February 2014.
[viii] Answers in
Genesis, “Are We Alone, or Is There Life Elsewhere in the Universe?” by Werner
Gitt; available from http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/cm/v19/n4/god-and-et; Internet;
accessed 13 February 2014.
[ix] Victoria Pope,
"Is There Life on Other Planets?," August 25, 1997
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UFO
Sightings
The
Roswell Incident—July 1947
Military
officials checked out debris from a supposed UFO crash outside of Roswell,
New Mexico. The government initially announced that they had captured a
flying saucer. A few hours later they changed the story and said it was a
weather balloon.
Washington,
D.C., Sightings—July 1952
One
of the largest number of reported sightings (in the hundreds) occurred in the
Washington, D.C., area. According to reports, the blips on the radar were
traveling close to 100 m.p.h. and could gain speeds up to 7,200 m.p.h.
Officials
said these sightings were a result of “temperature inversions,” which caused
ground lights to bounce from the clouds and give the appearance of lighted
objects in the sky.
Swamp
Gas Sightings—October 1966
Local
officials reported fast-moving disc-shaped objects in southeastern Michigan.
A UFO expert investigated the sighting and dismissed it as “swamp gas.”
Phoenix
Lights—March 13, 1997
Thousands
of eyewitnesses reported seeing UFO’s flying over Phoenix. Referred to as the
“Phoenix Lights,” these objects were also witnessed in at least five other
cities. An investigation by U.S. Air Force personnel said the UFOs were a
result of flares being dropped from an A-10 “Warthog.”
Answers in Genesis, “Do I Believe
in UFOs? Absolutely!” by Ken Ham; available from http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v3/n1/believe-in-ufos; Internet;
accessed 10 February 2014.
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