Editor’s Note: And now for something different. Aliens are in the news lately. Have you noticed? I haven’t found any articles that fit our Missions Catalyst content strategy, but the following comes close.
Source: Ethnos360, October 15, 2023
Ian Thomas begins his book The Indwelling Life of Christ with a fictitious story of aliens who know they were fashioned by God, who created everything but do not know what God is like. Through their advanced technology, they have discovered the Bible, in which God describes the people of Earth. They read, “In the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God… In the image of God He made man” (Genesis 5:1).
Thomas says, “Such a revelation is absolutely the most thrilling news these alien beings have ever heard. By getting a close-up view of humanity, they will be getting their first-ever glimpse of God.”
So, they build a spaceship and select an elite crew and send them on a journey of discovery. Unfortunately, as they arrive on Earth and begin to look around, what they encounter are not image bearers of God, but rather drunks, inner city gangs, bars, TVs displaying world news showing terrorist and murderers, corruption in business and government, and the childish and foolish behavior by celebrities in the realms of entertainment and sports.
“The aliens stare in shock at the screen, until one of them turns to the others and says, “Let’s get off this planet. This place stinks.”
Thomas said, “Of course, you and I know that what they actually learned was not what God is like, but what sin is like.”
Read the full story to see how the authors relate this scenario to church planters. And ask yourself what others see when they observe us.
If you are wondering about using stories about aliens to communicate biblical truths, C.S. Lewis may come to mind. Read Smuggling Theology Into “Out of the Silent Planet” (Probe Ministries).