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What If We Are Not Alone?

What If We Are Not Alone?

Last updated on: August 11, 2026 at 3:13 pm by Roger E. Olson

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What If We Are Not Alone? 2026-08-11T15:13:48-05:00 Roger E. Olson

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Well, of course, I believe we are not alone. When I was living in Germany I saw a book in a bookstore. It was entitled Wir Sind Nicht Allein (We Are Not Alone). It was by a scientist-philosopher (I forget his name) who argued that God is with us. God is with us. We are not alone.

However, this blog post is about whether there are sentient, extraterrestrial beings visiting our earth. And, if so, what that does to Christianity.

First, I do not yet believe in them. Flying saucers. UAEs. UFOs. Or “aliens” from other planets or worlds visiting us. All my life I’ve been hearing about them. One of the first movies I ever saw was on TV: The Day the Earth Stood Still. I was a child and frightened. I’ve seen it since and was amused. And there have been and are numerous other films, TV series, books, movies depicting “alien invasions.” My favorite one is War of the Worlds, the British version (2019).

My problem is twofold. First, I’m a natural born skeptic. Second, I have never seen a convincing picture or film of “aliens” or their “space ships.” I’ve watched the latest bunch of released ones from the US government. I’m still not convinced. Yes, there are some unidentified anomalous phenomena, but what they are is unclear. I have watched at least fifty Youtube videos about the phenomena. Of all kinds–interviews, lectures, panel discussions, films, etc.

My question is: Since now almost everyone in the world has a cell phone with a built in camera, why are there no clear pictures or films of UAPs, UFOs, “up close?”

I simply do not see any reason to believe that “space aliens,” ETs, are visiting us. I’m not from Missouri but “Show me!” (To you, though, don’t post any pictures here!)

But what if…?

Billy Graham was asked the question and he said it would not disturb his Christian beliefs if it turned out that there is intelligent life on other planets. Some non-Christians have gone on record saying it would falsify Christianity.

I think somewhere in between those views. Should I ever become convinced that there are other intelligent life forms in the universe, I would have to adjust some of my Christian beliefs. Especially my belief that humans are uniquely created in God’s image and likeness. No, I don’t believe that means we are physically like God. There are many different theological views of the imago dei, the image of God in “man.” But I don’t think any but humans are included in that special category. If there are intelligent beings from other planets who are not human (and I think that’s a given–that they would not be human), I would have to revise my Christian anthropology.

It would also affect my soteriology. Did Christ die for them?

Also my view of God and creation. Did God create them? And, if so, with what purpose and calling?

Traditional Christianity is based on belief that, other than God and angelic beings, including fallen angels, we are alone in the universe. The proven appearance of extra terrestrial intelligence beings would shake things up quite a bit. I don’t look forward to that. But I also don’t worry much about it. After all these years that I have been alive and researching the subject, I have seen no evidence of it. Something is “out there” (in our atmosphere) that we cannot yet explain. But I do not expect ETs to land here on earth or even in our skies.

*Note: If you choose to comment, make sure your comment is relatively brief (no more than 100 words), on topic, addressed to me, civil and respectful (not hostile or argumentative), and devoid of pictures or links.*

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