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Theological Implications of Possible Extraterrestrial Life
Author(s) -
Bonting Sjoerd L.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
zygon®
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 1467-9744
pISSN - 0591-2385
DOI - 10.1111/1467-9744.00523
Subject(s) - creatures , extraterrestrial life , philosophy , search for extraterrestrial intelligence , astrobiology , cosmic cancer database , environmental ethics , history , biology , physics , natural (archaeology) , astronomy , archaeology
Bible and tradition remain silent on intelligent extraterrestrial life, and few modern theologians have expressed themselves on this topic. Scientific insight suggests the possibility, even likelihood, of the development of life on extrasolar earthlike planets. It is argued that such life forms would resemble earthly life (biochemistry, genetic system, neuronal processes) and also develop a religious and moral life. As creatures with free will they would be prone to sin and in need of salvation. It is argued that this would not require multiple incarnations, since Jesus is the cosmic Christ.