RELIGION AND THE ISSUE OF EXTRATERRESTRIALS: A PROTESTANT CHRISTIAN VIEW

The question may rank up there with the famous "how many angels can dance on the head of pin" level of theological debate but it is a valuable question for those of Christian faith to contemplate. The Christian faith has many streams, some over lap and others diverge wildly as if escaping being on the same continent; the issue is thus complex.

The range of Christian thought should be viewed as a continuum. At one end are those labeled "Fundamentalist", "literal" and "hyper conservative."  At the other end are those who open themselves to the "suggestions of holy writ, believe morality and ethics are largely situational and that it is up to humanity itself to pull on the bootstraps and improve themselves and their world.  In the middle is a wide range of people with a great many similarities but important differences of governance, interpretation and application of faith teaching and church doctrines. 

Most often the Fundamentalist end of the spectrum will be most likely to view the subject of "extraterrestrials" as demons, fallen angels, or evil spirits. The source of knowledge and the call to authority is the written scriptures contained in the Bible.  They may argue based on two points:

1. E.T. is not mentioned in the Bible.

2. E.T. is not mentioned as being in heaven.

Since there are many specific things not mentioned in the Bible and knowledge of the content or nature of heaven is found only in the Bible, it is clear that the argument is not very strong.

It is also clear that same source does affirm that God created the heaven and the earth (Genesis 1:1) and that "God made all things" (Colossians 1:16). It seems plausible to accept that if such alien beings are proven to exist that they were created by the same God who "created all things."

Additionally, Psalms 19:1 says the "Heavens declare the glory of God."  Psalms 8:3-4 : "3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" Finally, Hebrews 11:3 " 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." 

This is by no means complete or detailed. It does begin a dialogue about the potential interaction for people of Christian faith to contemplate the issue. For a deeper look at the subject read this: "Theology and Extraterrestrials" 60.1.1.pdf (theologicalstudies.net)

“The Lord is not serious. In fact, it is a little hard to know just what else He is except loving. And love has to do with humor, doesn't it? For you cannot love someone unless you put up with him, can you? And you cannot put up with someone constantly unless you can laugh at him. Isn't that true? And certainly we are rediculous little animals wallowing in the fudge bowl, and God must love us all the more because we appeal to his humor.”

― Ray Bradbury, The Martian Chronicles