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Keeping pace with our changing culture on origins

by Carl Wieland, CMI–Australia

First published in Prayer News, April–June 2005

There are many scientists, other than Christian ones, who have enormous problems with the evolutionary idea that life arose by chance. To date, the only alternative theory of origins—namely creation—remains unacceptable to many because it invokes a righteous God and subsequent accountability for our actions. Today, a strange ‘otherworldly’ mingling of these beliefs has catapulted itself into the minds of the masses—including the idea that intelligent extraterrestrials (ETs) are the creators.

Mankind has only just begun to comprehend what lies outside of his earthly home. Deep space telescopes confirm that the universe is an unimaginably ‘big place’. But rather than this increasing our awe of the One who made it all, most believe that life must exist elsewhere (including many Christians who think God may have created ETs). The big bang and evolution are the driving forces behind this idea of evolution elsewhere in the universe. This theme is now firmly embedded in our popular culture (movies etc.).

In the same way that much of the church was asleep to the danger of evolution and failed to provide answers to those who were being saturated with evolutionary ideas, this new threat is already bigger than most realize. This is not a side issue for the church. This new saturation is creating beliefs that are spreading rapidly and challenging (even being incorporated in) the church.

Whatever ‘flavour’ such beliefs take, the result is usually the same—an abandonment of the Bible’s real history. In many ways, the UFO phenomenon is more insidious than humanistic ideas that openly oppose the church. Many UFO believers seemingly hold the Bible in high regard and love nothing more than quoting Scripture while weaving in a UFO or two. Because of the belief in a very old universe and that aliens could have evolved elsewhere, it is expected that these extraterrestrials could be millions, or even billions, of years ‘more advanced’ in their technology.

One popular idea is that Jesus was just such an advanced extraterrestrial who could perform miracles via advanced technology. Because He was ‘more evolved’, He and other ETs might hold the key to the meaning and purpose of our existence. Much of the UFO literature contains prophecies of future events, which often parallel the Scriptures. This has strong appeal for those who are constantly seeking an alternative view of the Bible.

One such person was Tracey H.’s father. She wrote:

‘Although my Dad grew up in a Bible-believing family, he had allowed evolutionary thinking and specifically, a belief in extraterrestrial life, to diminish the “God” that he believed in. If the Bible said nothing about evolution or the possibility of alien life, then Dad saw God as less than all-knowing and all-powerful. Sadly, Dad began to pick which books of the Bible he would believe and which books he would reject.

‘One night Dad came to a talk by Gary Bates on “Aliens, UFOs and the Bible” and he really connected with Gary’s insight into the alien phenomenon. When Gary started relating Scripture to the concept of alien life-forms, Dad was challenged to examine his beliefs. The church had never challenged him on this before. At first Dad was angry that God was no longer “just for Sunday morning”. … Four months later Dad repented, proclaimed his faith in the God who is all-knowing and all-powerful, and was baptised.’

When writing to Gary, Tracey added,

‘You know Gary, this whole area is so outside of what the church addresses. Thank you for having the courage and conviction to run with it. I think about how Jesus would connect with where people were at, and that’s what you are doing. Just think how many people are fascinated by aliens and UFOs, and you have a tool to open their minds to the truth of the God who loves them.’

I know this was Gary’s motivation in writing the recently released [2005] book Alien Intrusion: UFOs and the Evolution Connection. Young people in particular believe in alien life in staggering numbers.

All of our books are aimed at arming and equipping the church; I personally believe that this book has possibly the greatest potential out of all of them to also appeal to, and reach, the lost directly. I highly recommend it to Christians for their own ‘warfare’ and also as a direct evangelistic tool.

A casual glance will not immediately reveal this as a Christian book, and due to the fascinating subject matter, it presents great opportunities for you to share it with others (Matt. 10:16). For one thing, all reviewers have said that it is an incredibly gripping read.

Expect your non-believing friends to be confronted with the evidence. They may not initially agree with the conclusions, but I doubt that many will ever see the universe and their own existence in the same light again.