ET or not ET?

Stephen Hawking, widely known as one of the world's most brilliant scientific minds, recently stated in an interview that, based on mathematical probability alone, he believes that alien life likely exists on other planets or in some form in the galaxy. This is not a new thought by any means, but what he said afterwards was. Rather than enthusiastically endorsing our making contact with alien life (as we have been doing with vigor for years), he strongly discourages it!

"To my mathematical brain, the numbers alone make thinking about aliens perfectly rational. The real challenge is to work out what aliens might actually be like."

Hawking goes on to say that any advanced, intelligent life form may pose a serious threat to us should we ever encounter them, and may only seek contact with Earth in order to raid our natural resources, devastating our planet and populous! He envisions more of a "War of the Worlds" versus "ET" scenario! But why?

"We only need to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we don't want to meet. If aliens visit us, the outcome would be much as when Columbus landed in America, which didn't turn out well for the Native Americans."

Do you see what the underlying acknowledgement is here? The core premise to all of his statements is one that the non-Christian world refuses to acknowledge and mocks Christianity for. . . that humans are at heart, basically evil, not good. At the very least, Hawking is saying that even life forms far superior and advanced to the human race that may exist on other planets would potentially pose a threat to us, rather than a blessing. In other words, intelligence, technological or educational advancement, even other-worldly life experience, environment, political and religious differences do not guarantee compassion, mercy, kindness, tolerance or love. Hawking need only look to own history to say that people (and hence any humanoid life forms) are ultimately self-serving, and capable of the morally unspeakable, regardless of how "evolved" they are. The notion that human beings are "basically good" is simply flawed. We can not assume that any other life form out there is any different than we. Mr. Hawking is giving what is likely an unwitting nod to this idea when he suggests that we should actually avoid at all costs making contact with alien life!

Of course, if mankind's core nature is flawed (that is, sinful), then this naturally leads to two questions:

1) Why are we flawed, that is, how did we get this way? and

2) What then shall we do?

For the first question, Christians know that no amount of education, science, technology, government program, tolerance counseling, happy thoughts, anger management or any other "self-help" course are going to fix our sinful natures. We also understand that "good" and "bad," "right" and "wrong" are not determined by majority, culture, experience, convenience, personal preference or any other humanly-based measure. What is good, bad, right or wrong can only be determined by the one who is in charge of the whole kit and caboodle -- the One who created it, God Himself. God tells us in the Bible how human kind became sinful. For non-Christians, there is ultimately no answer to the question, and they are left with subjectivity, because there is, in their minds, no ultimate source of truth. "Truth" is fluid. What is morally acceptable is subject to change. And if that's so, on what basis are we to tell an alien life form that destroying us for their benefit is "wrong?" Based on what?

For question #2, Christians understand that only God can solve our problem! We are unable. We look to Him and His plan of saving us from our sinful natures. This is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ! For non-believers, again, there is no ultimate answer to this question, for everyone will have a different "solution" based on their own experiences, thoughts, beliefs, feelings, agenda, . . . or even planet!

So, I am grateful to Mr. Hawking for finally stating what Christians have known for centuries -- that human kind is fatally flawed, at its core! We are innately selfish --self-seeking, self-motivated, and self-absorbed, often to the great detriment of others, and no amount of learning or advancement changes this. Only Christ offers us what we really need -- a new heart, and new spiritual eyes to see and love Him!

"There is no one who does good, not even one." (Romans 3:12)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)