Something Different

Seven things you should know about UFO's
Part 1.

As unlikely as it may at first seemed, the UFO phenomenon appears to be going mainstream. For most evangelicals, belief in UFO's has been more a matter of amusement than concern, but in today's postmodern culture this movement needs to be taken seriously.

How should Christians address this seemingly preposterous, yet pressing issue? What should parents teach their children about aliens? How can youth workers answer the ET questions of their teenage congregations, and how can the Christian employee capably address this topic with his or her co-workers? Does church history provide any lessons for us? We should be aware of some key issues while addressing/witnessing to those who believe in the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence.

1. It's not just a fringe belief anymore

No matter how far out belief in extraterrestrials may seem to some people, the fact is that belief in their existence has come both widespread and en vogue. In an issue of popular mechanics, kenneth Nealson, a scientist on the National Academy of Sciences Subcommittee for Solar System Exploration, said, "The search for life is no longer a fringe type of thing."1 Politicians, scientists and astronauts concur that intelligent extraterrestrial life must exist within the universe and that it is "arrogant" to presume that humanity is the only intelligent life form. A survey by USA Today revealed that "61 percent of Americans say they believe humans are not the only life form in the galaxy."2 (Interestingly, another survey revealed that six percent of Americans claimed to have actually seen a UFO first hand).

It wasn't that long ago when an admission of the belief in aliens may have qualified a person as a candidate for the insane asylum. Today, such a confession may further advance one's chances in receiving a research grant or qualifying as a candidate in a Ph.D. program. The first step in addressing this phenomenon, therefore, is to recognize that it is considered a legitimate subject in a variety of mainstream circles. As ludicrous as this may sound, this recognition is essential for effectively ministering to the post modern culture in which we now live. This is not to imply that we are to patronize their beliefs; rather, we are to treat them with respect they deserve as human beings and so earn the right to be heard (1 pet. 3:15).

2. People are really seeing things

Bobby Brewer of the Christian Research Institute who wrote this article was one of many who witnessed what's now referred to as the "Phoenix lights" incident. On the evening of March 13, 1997, hundreds of people in Arizona observed a very unusual formation of lights that was well documented by video and eyewitness accounts. The incident created a flurry of speculation concerning the nature of the lights, with the most popular being extraterrestrial. The Air Force acknowledeged the occasion with the explanation that the lights were actually flares.

Military and airline personnel, engineers, air traffic controllers, police and people of all walks of life across the globe have made UFO reports. It is true that a number of reports are hoaxes and intentionally fraudulent, but the fact remains that credible people are witnessing events that they cannot explain.

3. No evidence support that there is ETI

To date there is no nut, bolt, spaceship, carcass, or transmission to provide overwhelming and convincing proof that ETI exists. This is not to deny that credible people are seeing inexplicable aeronautical and cosmic incidents. It is noteworthy, however, that the vast majority of UFO reports are easily explainable. This may not be the sensationalistic answer for which many people in our culture are looking for, but the fact remains that the overwhelming majority of UFO reports have earthly origins.

4. Biblical revelation lends no support to ETI

The Bible does not refer to intelligent life on other planets. The focus of the Bible, instead, is on humanity's need for redemption. When Jesus commissioned the disciples to preach the good news, He directed them to the "uttermost parts of the earth" (emphasis added), not the uttermost part of the galaxy or universe (see Acts 1:8). One doesn't have to read between the lines to see that God has great interest in people on the earth, whereas we have no specific revelation demonstrating God's interest in intelligent life outside of earth. A dogmatic belief in ETI simply cannot be justified from Scripture.

The focus of the ministry of Jesus Christ, as well, is on the human race. The most famous verse of the New Testament probably is (John 3:16:) "For God so the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life" (NASB, emphasis added) . It's true that the greek word for "world" (kosmo) can be translated as "universe," but the claim that this verse validates and biblically proves the existence of ETI is not only a massive stretch but also a hermeneutical (rules of biblical interpretation) violation. First, the word "kosmos" is used in other places in the New Testament specifically to refer to humanity (see, e.g., John 1:19). Second, such an interpretation would be out of context with the entire Bible as a whole because it's message is clearly focused on the human condition and need for redemption.

What about the "wheels" in Ezekiel? The passage referring to "wheels" within wheels" (Ezek. 1:16) initially does indeed sound like an ancient UFO report, and UFO enthusiasts regularly cite this passage in an attempt to verify their claims of extraterrestrial interventions in the course of human history. A closer examination of the text, however, clearly demonstrates that Ezikiel was communicating a vision from God (Ezek. 1:16-18) and not an extraterrestrial visitation. Basic hermeneutic rules are violated when it's assumed that the "wheels" of Ezekiel are spaceships.

Events seen in visions are not necesarrily literal but often symbolic and metaphorical. In this case, the creatures and wheels are most likely representations of angels, who are presented as God's attendants delivering a message for Israel from God to Ezekiel (Isa. 6:2).

Some commentators concur that, among other things, the "wheels" are a vision to encourage Ezekiel by reminding him of God's omnipresence. Since the Kebar river, the location of the vision, was probably south of Babylon and a place of prayer for the Jewish exiles, this vision would have been most appropriate at this site to remind Israel that wherever they went, God went, even to Babylon.

5. Proof of ETI would not undermine Christianity

Even if extraterrestrials do exist, God is their Creator, too. According to Genesis 1:1, "God created the heavens and the earth. "Such a discovery, therefore, would not nullify Christian doctrine but rather confirm the extent of God's creative capabilities. From Scripture and from creation, we see clearly that God delights in His creativity. For example, when He created angels, He didn't create just one type but rather many different kinds. It's shouldn't surprise Christians if other life forms exist in the universe. We should learn from the copernican revolution and choose our battles wisely and avoid dogmatism with scientific issues that are not clearly articulated in scripture. The bottom line for humanity, nevertheless, is that we on earth are spiritually corrupt and in need of a Savior for forgiveness and everlasting life that is available only through Jesus, regardless of the existence of ETI.

6. The UFO phenomenon tends to have occult qualities

Due to the paranormal attributes of many UFO encounters, it can be logically argued that some supernaturally devious activity exists within the UFO phenomenon. Consider the following observations:

Evil Encounters. Speaking generally, UFO abduction encounters are not pleasant and wholesome experiences. For the most part, they are nightmarish events that often plague victims for years, if not the rest of their lives. These abduction encounters are obviously not the work of benign and benevolent "space brothers".

False Prophets. The aliens consistently proclaim a different gospel. The religion of these beings is typically a version of Eastern mysticism or New Age philosophy, which is, in actuality, very old-so old, that it goes back to the Garden of Eden with the temptation to "be like God" (Gen.3:5). Paul warned the church in Galatia to be aware of false teachings regardless of how impressive the source might be. "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preach to you, let him be eternally condemned!" (Gal.1:8).

There have been numerous reports of contact with aliens, and yet none thus far has acknowledged Jesus Christ as the Son of God. (If you know of any, please write and let me know about it.) They almost always sanction various Eastern and New Age groups instead as their official spokepersons. A significant percentage of all alleged contactees admitted to be involved in some form of occult belief or practices. It is therefore reasonable to presume that in some cases a spiritual dimension is within the UFO phenomenon, and it is obviously outside the presence, activity, and authority of the Holy Spirit.

7. The UFO phenomenon is indicative of a spiritual quest

One of the characteristics of our postmodern society is spiritual curiosity. This helps explain why books such as Left Behind and Harry Potter that are poles apart in their worldviews can simultaneously share a secular bestseller list. The popularity of spiritual topics, in my opinion, is a reflection of a society that is hungry for meaning and purpose in life, which they mistakenly believe will be fufilled via contact with extraterrestrial civilization or proof that life exists outside of planet earth. In effect, for some, the search and hope for ETI amounts to a quest for an extraterrestrial savior.

We witness a glimmer of this perspective in 1996 with the premature announcement that evidence for life on mars had been found in a meteorite known as ALH84001. President Bill Clinton said, "Today, rock 84001 speaks to us across all those billions of years and millions of miles. It speaks of the possibilty of life. If this discovery is confirmed [it wasn't], it will surely be one of the most stunning insights into our universe that science has ever uncovered. It's implications are far-reaching and awe-inspiring as can be imagined.

In Megatrends 2000, John Naisbett accurately forecasted that the late nineties and early twenty-first century would experience an increased and renewed interest in spirituality, but that people would not necessarily seek out the main line Christian denominations to have those needs met. He was right. Spirituality is big business. The typical secular bookstore has entire sections devoted to UFO's, Wicca, Eastern thought, and, yes, even Christianity. An article in the New York Times Magazine described this surge of interest as a "revival", although the "revival" is not within Christianity per se, the church should recognize its unique position in being the only candidate capable of truly meeting this need.

We have seen, then that the proof for ETI is deficient and lacking. Regardless of the existence of ETI, humanity needs redemption, which is exclusively available through Jesus Christ. The presupposition that an advance alien race could solve the world's problems is misleading and deceptive. Such a hope is a cloud without rain. Christ alone is able to provide a solution to the problem of sin, and we have been commissioned to spread this good news to the utter most parts of our planet. We must focus our attention on the Gospel.

God's Work in Our Lives

All people possess an inward desire that their work should have meaning and permanence (Ps. 90:16,17). If such work is not to be lost in the vastness of eternity, however, it must conform to the work God has designed. This work for the present day can be known only from God's Word.

According to the Word of God, the initial work of God is for us to believe in Jesus Christ (John 6:29; Rom. 6:17,18). Apart from entering into this vital relationship with God, man cannot even begin to work for God. After coming to know Christ, the new Christian discovers God's program for the present from the scriptures. It is, first of all, His work in the Christian himself. Regeneration is only the beginning of God's work in the believer. It actually introduces a process of becoming like Christ which God promises ultimately to bring to perfection (Phil. 1:6). The Christian cheerful obedience to God's will as revealed in His Word helps speed this work along.

Second, no Christian can overlook God's work in the world. Jesus' command to spread the good news of the gospel to all people appears near the end of all four Gospels and at the beginning of the book of Acts. God's method is that people proclaim the gospel and that the Holy Spirit convict (John 16:8-11).

Finally, God's work is in and through the church, the organism ordained by Christ for this age (Matt. 16:18). God's work in the church through the spirit and through spiritually gifted people to strengthen and bless it (Eph. 4:11-13).

Cure for Doubt

The cure for doubt depends to some extent on the thing doubted. However, the real problem is not in the object doubted but in the subject who doubts. Therefore, the following steps should be taken by the doubting Christian.

a. Confess the doubt to God as sin. Doubt is basically unbelief in God and His Word and is therefore sin (Rom. 14:23; Heb. 11:6). God has promised to hear our confession of even the darkest unbelief.

b. Study the evidence for the Christian faith. Christians have nothing to fear by looking into the facts from any source of knowledge. The greatest evidence for the validity of Christianity, the resurrection of Christ, is attested by many proofs. Among these are the empty tomb, post-resurrection appearances, and transformed disciples. Since the resurrection is true, it verifies everything the Bible says.

c. Make certain of your salvation. Paul exhorts Christians to examine themselves to make sure they are Christians (2 Cor. 13:5). So did the author of Heb. (Heb. 6:1-9). Untill you are assured of your salvation you will be troubled by enormous doubts.

d. Faithfully study the Word of God. "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17). Through study and application of the Bible, our faith is strengthened and matured. Most especially, we must master the doctrines or basic teachings of the Bible if we are to be stable, mature Christians (1 Tim. 4:13, 16; 2 Tim. 3:16; Titus 2:1,10).

e. Pray. The surest way to face doubts when they come is to have an extensive past history of answered prayer. The more a Christian prays with faith, the more that Christian sees God answer prayer. The more a person sees God answer prayer, the stronger that person's faith becomes while the doubt becomes less.

Occasions of Doubt

Doubt may be defined as an uncertainty of belief or lack of confidence in something. Applied to the Christian life, doubt refers to the unbelief in God and His Word that Christians occasionally exhibit. It is possible that in a moment of infirmity a Christian may doubt the existence of God in spite of the fact that it is not reasonable for a person to disbelieve this obvious truth (Ps. 14:1). A Christian is more likely to doubt his salvation after sinning or after a spiritual defeat. A misunderstanding of such verses as (1 John 3:9) contributes to this doubt: "Whoever has been born of God does not sin." It is crucial to note that this verse speaks of a lifestyle of sin, not instances of sin.

A Christian may also doubt God's sovereignty or His goodness. In such circumstances as sickness, suffering, injustice, opposition, economic problems, family problems, national calamity, or apparently unanswered prayer, a Christian may be tempted to doubt the goodness of God. One must remember that it is not always possible to descern God's good hand in the affairs of life. The person of faith believes God even when circumstances appear to the contrary.

All doubt may be traced ultimately to unbelif in the Word of God, which affirms beyond question the existence and character of God. To regard doubt as the sin of unbelief and then confess it to God as sin is therefore the first step toward conquering it.

God's Word Cleanses

One of the pieces of furniture in the Old Testament tabernacle was called the bronze laver (ex. 38:8). It consisted of a huge upright bronze bowl filled with water, resting upon a pedestal. The priest would often stop at this laver and wash. The Word of God may be thought of in terms of that laver, for it too has the power to cleanes. The Old Testiment laver could only remove the physical dirt from human hands, but the Scriptures possess the ability to take away our moral filth (1 Pet. 1:22).

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). What areas of my life can the Bible cleanse?

It can cleanse me from wrong thoughts. Sometimes we are tempted to think critically of others. God's word can prevent this (Ps. 1:2). On other occasions fearful thoughts may race through our minds. The Scripture will prevent this also (Josh. 1:8). In fact, the Bible will establish our total thoughtlife if we but allow it to do so (Phil. 4:8, 9;2 Pet. 1:5-10).

It can cleanse me from wrong words. Of all the Bible authors, James seems to be God's expert on the sins of the human tongue. In the first chapter of his book, he deals with this very thing and shows the absolute necessity of dependence upon the Scriptures to keep our words true (James 1:22-26).

It cleanses me from wrong actions. Jesus promised us this would be the case. "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you" (John 15:3).

Finally, God's Word will keep us from wrong thoughts, words, and actions; or else wrong thoughts, words, and actions will keep us from God's Word. Amen

Confession

One of the most remarkable chapters in the Old Testament is (Ps. 51). This psalm contains the actual words of confession uttered by King David after his great sins of adultery and murder (2 Sam. 11).

This prayer can serve as a pattern to Christians when guilty of sin today.

a. David begins his prayer by freely admitting his sin (Ps. 51:3,4). This honesty is vital in our confession. God will graciously forgive all our sins, but not on account of our excuses.

b. He then displays real sorrow over his sin (Ps. 51:17). Paul writes (2 Cor. 7:10) that the main characteristic of true confession is godly sorrow.

c. He asks God's forgiveness (Ps. 51: 1,7-9).

d. He believes God has heard him and will restore him (Ps. 51:12-15).

In the New Testament the most important single verse concerning confession is (1 John 1:9). In essence John tells us the means of forgiveness and cleansing is the blood of Christ, while the method of this forgiveness and cleansing is the confession of the Christian.

Like David, we must admit our sin, plead the blood of Christ, and believe that God has indeed done what He promised, namely, to cleanse us from sin and restore us to fellowship and service.

(Rom. 8:1) There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

God Through His Word

One of the most vital teachings of Scripture is that God can be known. The highest knowledge to which men and women can attain is a personal knowledge of God (Jer. 9:24). People do not naturally possess this knowledge (Rom. 3:10,11), even though they know He exists (Ps. 14:1; Rom. 1:19,20). Knowing that God exists is not the same as knowing God personally, just as knowing about the President does not mean that you necessarily know him personally. This knowledge of God is crucial, however, since to know God personally is to be saved and have eternal life (John 17:3).

People should rejoice in the fact that God earnestly wants them to attain his knowledge. That is why He has spoken to us in His Word, revealing Himself and disclosing the means by which we may know Him.

While God surely can be known, there is always more to be learned about Him. There are many Scriptures that teach that our knowledge of God is partial. It is said to be "too wonderful" (Ps. 139:6), "unsearchable" (Ps. 147:5). Since our knowledge of God is incomplete, we must increase it through Spiritual growth. Paul, for example, prays to know God better (Phil. 3:10). We are even commanded to grow in the knowledge of Christ (2 Pet. 3:18). The development of one's intimate knowledge of God constitutes one of the greatest delights of the Christian life.

The Bible also reveals that God cannot be known personally apart from His Word. It contains the gospel that must be believed (Eph. 1:13), and the gospel brings forth saving faith in itself (Rom. 10:17). The gospel can therefore be called "the power of God to salvation" (Rom. 1:16). The part that the Scriptures and the gospel contain within them play in bringing people to know God is described in three important illustrations:

1. The gospel is the agent of the new birth (James 1:18), that is, it is like the implant seed without which the conception of new life cannot occur.

2. It is also a cleansing agent through which God gives the believing sinner a spiritual bath that results in salvation (Eph. 5:26).

3. The Scriptures are like an educator bringing the wisdom that leads to salvation (2 Tim. 3:15). So bring the Word, bring the rain of God and be a light in this world.