http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=9&article=3600
God May Not Exist, But Aliens Do?
| by | Eric Lyons, M.Min. |
Stephen Hawking is arguably one of the world’s most famous astrophysicists. A graduate of Oxford and Cambridge universities, Hawking has been researching, writing, and lecturing around the world since he graduated from Cambridge in 1966 (“Stephen Hawking,” 2010). His book, A Brief History of Time, has sold more than nine million copies worldwide since its publication in 1988 (“A Brief History...,” n.d.). Amazingly, Hawking has struggled with Lou Gehrig’s disease his entire professional career—more than 40 years. Though he is confined to a wheelchair, is almost completely paralyzed, and can speak only with the assistance of a voice synthesizer, Hawking continues to lecture and make appearances around the globe. Sadly, Dr. Hawking is an outspoken proponent of the theory of evolution and is, at the very least, agnostic in his thinking about God (cf. “Pope Sees...,” 2008), if not fully atheistic (cf. “The Crazy World...,” 2010).
In recent weeks, Hawking has made national and international headlines with his assertions about aliens. According to the first line of an April 25 MSNBC article, “British physicist Stephen Hawking says aliens are out there, but it could be too dangerous for humans to interact with extraterrestrial life” (“Hawking...,” 2010, emp. added). Hawking was a little less confident in his new documentary titled “Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking.” After posing the question, “Are we alone on our small, round, blue ball?” He answered: “I think probably not” (2010). What followed, however, was an entire documentary that presumed the existence of aliens. “I imagine they might exist in massive ships...having used up all the resources from their home planet. Such advanced aliens would perhaps become nomads, looking to conquer and colonize whatever planets they can reach” (“Hawking...”). If aliens visit Earth, Hawking said, “the outcome would be much as when Columbus landed in America, which didn’t turn out very well for the Native Americans” (“Into the Universe...,” 2010). Thus, inhabitants of Earth are warned to stay away from aliens at all costs.
When NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams commented on Hawking’s new Discovery Channeldocumentary about aliens, he began by calling the evolutionary astrophysicist “one of the bona fidesmart people on the planet” (Williams, 2010). But how smart can a person be who believes in E.T., all the while doubting (or denying) God’s existence? What has this world come to when so-called “bona fide smart people” reject Creation but embrace the Law-of-Biogenesis-breaking theory of spontaneous generation? How can a person say “aliens are out there,” but God probably isn’t? We are supposed to be careful to avoid alien invaders, but not concern ourselves with whether God exists? What kind of “smart” person thinks that Star Trek is reality, but an omnipotent Creator is fantasy? The Bible calls such a person a “fool.”
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools (Romans 1:20-22).
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God” (Psalm 14:1; 53:1).
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10).
REFERENCES
“A Brief History of Time” (no date), Random House, http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl/9780553380163.html.
“The Crazy World of Stephen Hawking” (2010), The Independent, October 12, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/the-crazy-world-of-stephen-hawking-631043.html.
“Hawking: Aliens May Pose Risks to Earth” (2010), April 25, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36769422/.
“Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking” (2010), Discovery Channel, April 25, http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/stephen-hawking/about/about.html.
“Pope Sees Physicist Hawking at Evolution Gathering” (2008), October 31, http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE49U6E220081031?feedType=RSS&feedName=scienceNews.
“Stephen Hawking” (2010), Encyclopedia of World Biography, http://www.notablebiographies.com/Gi-He/Hawking-Stephen.html.
Williams, Brian (2010), NBC Nightly News, April 26, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36769422/.