Should life suddenly manifest itself, either on Mars or in the form of an extra-terrestrial visitor, shatter your faith? :type:
Would Life Anywhere But on Earth, Shatter Your Faith?
Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by righteousdude2, Aug 13, 2012.
?
-
Never, nada, no way....
19 vote(s)82.6% -
Yes!
0 vote(s)0.0% -
I would have to reconsider all I once believed in...
0 vote(s)0.0% -
I just don't know...
0 vote(s)0.0% -
It would throw a spiritual "monkey wrench" into the things many of us believe...
2 vote(s)8.7% -
I know in whom I believe, and that will never change!
11 vote(s)47.8% -
It would make things quite interesting on this board...
10 vote(s)43.5% -
See my comments....
2 vote(s)8.7%
Multiple votes are allowed.
Page 1 of 2
-
righteousdude2 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
really?....REALLY?
Bro.Greg -
The Bible doesn't record all that Jesus said and did while on earth. Why wouldn't the same apply to what the Godhead has done, both here on earth and in the heavens?
If we have the Holy Spirit in our hearts, why should it matter what "discoveries" mankind makes in space? If there are other life forms in existence, God created them for His purposes. If not, then He didn't have a purpose for them. If some organic combination is found that could indicate the possibility of life on Mars (or elsewhere), what will mankind do with that knowledge? Glorify God or ourselves?
Perhaps, the real question should be is mankind attempting to build another Tower of Babel that uses rocket boosters instead of bricks and mortar? -
Would Life Beyond Out Planet Shatter or Change Your Faith?
Why should it? In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth... -
Crabtownboy Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
It would show what we should already know. We do not and never will know all there is to know about God. I would find it wonderful if there were other beings and intelligent beings in the universe. Wow, that would be so interesting.
What if earth was the only planet among millions of planets with intelligent life that rebelled against God? -
The tower of Babel's biggest flaw was that it was an attempt to build a huge city in one location that would keep people together, against the command of God to fill the Earth. The second was an assumed pride issue, where the tower stood for a monument to mankind's prowess. If you take it literally, then the third is that they were trying to build a tower to Heaven, but I think it's rather that they wre just saying it would be a tower that would reach the heavens (sky), and there wasn't anything wrong with that in and of itself.
The space exploration program is a quest for knowledge (so far, a fruitless quest). It is just a natural extension of people looking up at the stars and wondering what they are. In fact, if we were to somehow terraform a planet and start habitating it, I would take that as an extended obedience of the command to fill the Earth. We've done that, now in the spirit of the command, continue to expand.
On the subject of the OP: No, it wouldn't shake my faith at all. If life exists elsewhere, then God created it to be there, and it does not change the fact that He told us how to get to Heaven, and the rules that we are to live our life by. Nothing in scripture is nullified if we happen to find life (even sentient life) elsewhere. -
Scarlett O. ModeratorModerator
What ever natural organic or inorganic material is out there, in there, down there, an up there ...... well, God created it.
Why should it destroy my faith in Him?
It would only destroy the person who has put their faith one-fourth in God, one-fourth in their limited view of Him, and two-fourths in their unfounded traditions/opinions concerning Him. -
I do NOT see them as being sinless, so would they have their incarnation of God called "gloop" instead of yeshua? -
preachinjesus Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
I have no problem believing life exists outside this world.
The challenge is whether it is intelligent life.
I've said this before and I wish people would take it seriously:
Since we've been able to locate ideal "goldilocks" planets for life in our universe we know how far they are from us. If we were to build a space ship, using existing technology, and head towards the nearest of those systems it would take about 3,000 years to reach them. So I think we can admit that this kind of option is not available. Neither is it realistic to assume that they have reached us. Thus it is not feasible to think that intelligent life (if it exists) is accessible in the universe.
However, if intelligent life exists in the universe there is no reason to think they aren't under the same revelation of God...or judgment. If God is great enough to create life here, why not there? And why not provide redemption for them (if they've fallen) through their appropriate means? (CS Lewis used this line of argumentation when asked at one point) -
Just because I don't believe God put intelligent life on any other planet, that doesn't mean He couldn't. It would not change what I believe. While I believe that God could have created life on other planets, I'm not convinced that He did.
The one thing that would shake my faith (as small as it is) is ghosts. If they existed and could be proved beyond a shadow of a doubt, then that would seriously put doubts in my mind about heaven and hell since I believe that we go to one of those two places depending on whether or not we are born again. However, I don't expect that to happen. -
-
-
righteousdude2 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Love Your Thoughts....
-
If there was intellegeant life elsewhere - would there have to be another Calvary?
-
preachinjesus Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Humanity (i.e. homo sapien) is redeemed by Christ. Why can't another race of God's creation that is beyond this terrestrial realm have their own atonement? Would they not be created in God's image with their own revelation? -
Would there be multiple versions of Him in heaven, a jesus for man, another one for martians etc?
So multiple Ones would be in heaven, each one to judge each race there? -
HeirofSalvation Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
HeirofSalvation Well-Known MemberSite SupporterSalty said: ↑If there was intellegeant life elsewhere - would there have to be another Calvary?Click to expand...
-
HeirofSalvation said: ↑Not necessarily...no..Click to expand...
Maybe they are intelligent, but not possessed of freedom of will.Click to expand...
Maybe they have both, but never fell.Click to expand...
Maybe they have intelligence, and freedom of will, and they also "fell", but the conditions for "atonement" are not the same.Click to expand...
Maybe the "shedding of blood" was not what God required from them specifically for remission of sin. We cannot know.Click to expand...
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
(Heb 9:22-26)
We only know what he required of US....and subsequently, what He Chose to do for US, in accordance with how He loved us, and what he has chosen to do with us.Click to expand... -
Benjamin said: ↑:laugh:It sounds as if we've been invaded by a bunch of Star Trek-ing day dreamers, doesn't it? Way to tell it like it is! :laugh::smilewinkgrin: j/kClick to expand...
Back to the op, no, it would not shake my faith one bit. There is no evidence in the Bible we are alone on the earth. If there is life out there, God created it for His purposes. How He would deal with sin on that world or other aspects, I am sure He can figure out like He did with us.
Of course, there will always be those who believe that the earth is the center of the universe and is flat, that winged dragons fly at night, etc.... Maybe they are from the planet that is between the two planets in my name.
Page 1 of 2