The LCMS and Possible Life on Venus

Daniel9v9 said:

Well, perhaps we can think of it in three different levels.

Microorganisms - In Biblical terms, this falls under the category of nature, not creature. Though we can rightly understand them as living in scientific terms, they are not classed as such in the Biblical framework. Bread is inanimate, even though it may contain yeast, which are living microorganisms. To put this a bit more forcibly, it's not murder to eat bread, because we recognise it as a thing, not a being.

Developed creatures - In Biblical terms, this would essentially be no different from fish, birds, and animals. If we were to find these creatures in space, they would essentially be wildlife, only extraterrestrial - outside our atmosphere. I think it's a fair assessment to say that space is simply nature. Nature doesn't stop where our atmosphere ends, but extends into the universe. So what we would call wildlife on earth would also extend to similar beings in space, if they exist.

Though I think this is highly unlikely, let's for the sake of the argument say that we found a 100 different animal-like creatures in space with varying levels of intelligence, ranging from insects to cats to dolphins. I think at that point, although we would probably retain the distinction between earthly life and extraterrestrial or alien life, they would all fall into the category of wildlife. Though many, if not most secular thinkers, would probably go a step further and include humans in this category - as they already do in thinking of man as a kind of animal. To use a different example - a rock on earth is called a rock, and a rock on Mars is also called a rock. We don't have to make a distinction by necessity. So aliens could just be thought of as animals.

Intelligent beings - If we take this to mean something as advanced as or more advanced than human beings, this would present a different problem. Then it would be a question of whether God created some animals more intelligent than humans, and what that means for morality, or if He created different beings with souls. In either case, I think this is a next to impossible scenario, so it shouldn't be something we need to speculate or worry about.

Whatever beings we may find in space, God has promised to redeem and renew the entire cosmos, which includes everything from the tiniest cell to the largest nebulae, so while it may cause us confusion and division, it has no bearing on God's Word, which is true and eternal. God's Word and His love endures forever! God be praised!

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Daniel9v9 said:

I don't think it would ever come to that, so I'm not sure how meaningful or fruitful it is to speculate about it. But LCMS would have to acknowledge hard science, as they do, while standing firm on God's Word, as they also do.

Science, or to use a better word - truth - and the Bible are not opposing. Just because something is referred to as "science" doesn't mean that it's automatically true. By this logic, all scientists would be in perfect agreement, which they are not. Theoretical science as a field is very broad, and it's not so much one science, but many competing sciences. And although the various theoretical sciences have a habit of attacking God's Word, they should not cause us to worry, for although they may be compelling and attractive in some respects, they cannot be proven - hence the name "theoretical". They're nothing more than competing philosphical worldviews based on evidence that has been interpreted in a certain way. We shouldn't be scared of either theoretical nor factual science - as they will never disprove God or make Christ void.

There's nothing wrong in asking "what if...?" questions, but I think there are more valuable answers to be found in Scriptures itself. Truth is on our side and it will prevail, because Christ is truth.

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LizaMarie said:

An interesting book to read that I read years ago is a book called "Lights in the Sky and Little Green Men." by Dr. Hugh Ross, PHD. Dr. Ross is an Astronomer, Astrophysicist and Christian(evangelical)Pastor.
He believes complex life anywhere else in the Universe is highly unlikely. His stance is very similar to the secular scientists who wrote the book "Rare Earth, Why complex life is uncommon in the Universe." By Ward and Brownlee.
Dr. Ross states that he has no theological opposition to advanced extraterrestrial life, but from a scientific standpoint he thinks it highly unlikely, as he outlines in the book which shows why Earth is so unique and fine-tuned for life and why our sun, solar system etc are also unique. He is an "Old Earth." creationist who also thinks the Earth and Universe are as old as scientists say it is but also believes in a literal Adam and Eve, and creation.
He also has a website Reasons.org. Anyway I thought you might want to check it out. I agree with the LCMS statement myself.

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Daniel9v9 said:

Yeah, it’s always good and advisable to investigate a church body’s doctrinal stance, which includes their scientific views.

You’re in good hands in LCMS - they do not believe in or advocate for kooky ideas that goes against hard science, such as the flat earth theory. They respect hard science and teach God’s Word faithfully.

Not that it matter that much, but I can also add that the LCMS is a very scholarly body. They have many experts and highly educated people in their midst.

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