@sonship saidAnd abandon intelligent life on other planets?
@Ghost-of-a-DukeBut if life is found on other worlds, and heaven forbid intelligent life, why did God send his only son to Earth?
I think God was hoping to find some intelligent life here on this planet.
And abandon intelligent life on other planets?
It is difficult for these words of God's Son concerning His Father's kingdom to sink into the modern mind.
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matt. 6:33)
I lean toward believing that the whole universe was made for man.
I can have that "leaning" without feeling this belief needs defending as an infallible systematic doctrine.
But, I lean definitely, on the belief that we underestimate the importance of humanity in God's plan. Finding life on Mars or Europa or the Moon or at the deepest parts of the ocean in dark hot vents, will not easily remove my suspicion which is based on the words of God in His book.
I think we underestimate the importance of man. We also underestimate the importance and centrality of the Son of God. We are made full in Him as a living realm, as a sphere of divine and eternal life.
"For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, And you have been made full in Him, who is the Head of all rule and authority." (Col. 2:10,11)
Now the playing out of this fullness and completeness in Christ will take eternity. I mean in terms of the expanding of His kingdom reign. Of the expanse of His kingdom and of peace there shall be no end says the prophet Isaiah.
What we know today of this may be only like a infant observing in her crib a hanging plastic toy there for the child's development.
You may no want to do this but I would encourage others - the next time you are in awe at the sheer expanse of time and space, speak quietly to yourself the words of Christ - "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matt. 6:33)
@sonship saidI put it to you that it is concentrated human arrogance and sense of self worth to look at the trillions of planets out there in the universe and discern that it was all made for us.
@Ghost-of-a-DukeAnd abandon intelligent life on other planets?
It is difficult for these words of God's Son concerning His Father's kingdom to sink into the modern mind.
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matt. 6:33)
I lean toward believing that the whole universe was made for ma ...[text shortened]... , And you have been made full in Him, who is the Head of all rule and authority." (Col. 2:10,11)[/b]
I put it to you that it is concentrated human arrogance and sense of self worth to look at the trillions of planets out there in the universe and discern that it was all made for us.
We can do nothing without God. So we are humbled by the necessity to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.
It doesn't come together for you. It just doesn't click with the way you think.
Friends, you want to trek to the farthest reaches of the galaxy?
How about allow the Lord Jesus to come into your space in your life.
It doesn't click with some of you. Seek FIRST His kingdom and His righteousness.
All that God intends for man will follow. Seek FIRST His government from within.
Turn YOUR space in your heart over to the One who died and rose for you, the Lord Jesus.
We can do nothing without God.
Clarification. We may do a lot. But in the end it will all amount to nothing.
With Him we have eternal life and His kingdom, a righteous one.
"But according to His promise we are expecting new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." (2 Pet. 3:13)
God wants a totally righteous creation with justice and peace and righteousness on the throne and enthroned within the nucleus of those in this world.
Don't miss all the enjoyment!
@sonship saidWe can do nothing 'with' God.
@Ghost-of-a-DukeI put it to you that it is concentrated human arrogance and sense of self worth to look at the trillions of planets out there in the universe and discern that it was all made for us.
We can do nothing without God. So we are humbled by the necessity to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.
It doesn't come together for you. It just doesn't click with the way you think.
@sonship
If sentient intelligent life (similar to our own) was discovered on another planet, are humans still the only ones to be saved?
@Ghost-of-a-Duke
I would not worry about the sins of something else on another planet.
I also would not count on presenting to the Divine Judge zany hypotheticals to perhaps keep Him so busy explaining that your own sins will be overlooked in the discussion.
The hope that maybe the Almighty is not too swift or didn't think things out too well will allow you to outwit Him is doomed to fail.
It is better for me to go on what I know.
I need saving from judgement.
I accept that Christ died for me to redeem me from the curse of the law of God.
I don't need to know what is on the dark side of the moon to deal with that.
I don't need to know whether a sinner lives on Neptune.
I know that I need salvation in Christ.
@sonship saidThat wasn't the question, though as a Christian am surprised at your lack of care for the salvation of others, even if they do reside on an alien world. If God is the sole creator, then these alien creatures also owe their origin to Him, no?
@Ghost-of-a-Duke
I would not worry about the sins of something else on another planet.
@sonship saidAnd don't give me the 'hypothetical' dodge. Every conversation I enter with a theist requires me to enter a hypothetical environment. God Himself is hypothetical.
@Ghost-of-a-Duke
I would not worry about the sins of something else on another planet.
I also would not count on presenting to the Divine Judge zany hypotheticals to perhaps keep Him so busy explaining that your own sins will be overlooked in the discussion.
The hope that maybe the Almighty is not too swift or didn't think things out too well will allow you to ...[text shortened]... I don't need to know whether a sinner lives on Neptune.
I know that I need salvation in Christ.
@ghost-of-a-duke saidWho says that his only begotten Son did not visit these "other planets"?
But if life is found on other worlds, and heaven forbid intelligent life, why did God send his only son to Earth? -And with that in mind, how is the following fair:
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Furthermore, who says that he wasn't the "only begotten Son" on those planets as well? I would think that God is fully capable of a headlining run of "the greatest story ever told" on a multitude of planets, perhaps some at the same time.
I am constantly amazed that even believers in God simply do not give him enough credit.
@ghost-of-a-duke saidAu contraire. Now I will grant you that he is supernatural, but I cannot agree that he is hypothetical. Some conflate the two, but I do not.
And don't give me the 'hypothetical' dodge. Every conversation I enter with a theist requires me to enter a hypothetical environment. God Himself is hypothetical.