UFOs
“Are we alone in the universe?” It is a question that has long been asked but perhaps now with renewed interest after the U.S. Department of War released a new batch of previously classified information pertaining to “unidentified flying objects" (UFO) and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The information includes photographs, presidential memos, and reports from government officials, astronauts, and citizens. The information can be accessed at the aptly named www.war.gov/ufo, with the encouragement for Americans to reach their own conclusion about the existence of intelligent life beyond the confines of Earth.
Analysis and eternal perspective: This is an issue that has long fascinated many and certainly divided plenty. The information released this week is likely to entrench previously held views more than it will convince those of varying perspectives to change their mind. It will, however, certainly provide additional fodder to the fascinating debate about intelligent life beyond Earth.
Jesus followers are also very likely to have a wide array of opinions on this topic and it is important we underscore the word “opinion.” I confess at the outset my opinion leans toward the somewhat controversial opinion of Charles Spurgeon, who wrote:
“I think it is no stretch of the imagination to believe that as this world is only one speck in the creation of God, there may be millions of other races in the countless worlds around us.”
“It may be true that all those majestic orbs that stud the midnight sky are worlds filled with intelligent beings. And it is much more easy to believe that they are than that they are not, for, surely, God has not built all those magnificent mansions and left them untenanted!”
“I cannot tell you how many races of intelligent beings there are beside the hierarchy of angels, but it is not at all improbable that there are as many worlds as there are grains of sand upon the seashore—and perhaps every one of these teems with inhabitants more than our earth does.”
“It may be that every starry world teems with myriads of intelligent inhabitants—it is much more likely that it should be so than that it should not be so, seeing that God is not in the habit of creating anything in vain.”
I stipulate my opinion on this up front to underscore it is just that—opinion—and to remind us that what we do know from scripture is of preeminent importance and magnificence!
We know God created our universe by his Word and hand (Gen. 1:1).
We know the crescendo of His divine plan occurred when He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to our inhabited world for the specific purpose of establishing eternal relationship with us (1 Jn. 4:9, Gal. 4:4, 1 Jn. 4:14)!
And we know Jesus is coming back to call us to our eternal home (Acts 1:11, Matt. 24:30, Jn. 14:3)!
While we may not be able to conclusively answer the question about intelligent life on other planets, we can safely say that what we do know about God’s creation is beyond magnificent and breath-taking! Let us praise Him for what He has done (Ps. 150:2)!