Getting Just the Right Size is Just Not Enough

“The Most ‘Earth-like’ Planet Found Outside our Solar System” was in the byline of a leading newspaper article titled, ”Two Planets to His Credit” (The [Everett, WA] Daily Herald, 04-22-2013).  For the record, as a Christian believer I do not consider the potential existence of life on other planets to be in conflict with the Bible’s perspective on the created order.  The Biblical accounts of creation cannot be assumed or expected to provide an exhaustive statement on those purposes of God which do not specifically impact the redemption of our own human race.  I urge readers to carefully read my essay, “The Biblical Demand to Take Another Look” (www.christianityontheoffense.com) for clarification on both the interpretation and the context that Genesis chapters 1 and 2 actually convey.  The ramifications of dismissing the extensive list of clues found within the text of Genesis that point to the creation days as long periods of time force readers into an unnecessary conflict (in contradiction to Romans 1:18,19) with science.  For example, by every single scientific measure our universe is for the most part much older than Earth, which in truth is not in the locational center of all things.  The suggestion by some that wherever there is any dispute on these matters the Bible must be given priority over science is not, as they suppose, supported by Martin Luther.  To the contrary Luther defers scientific matters to the “astronomers,” whom he regards as the “experts” in the natural order.  (Jaroslav Pelikan, ed. Luther’s Works, Lectures on Genesis, v.I. (Concordia, 1958), p.41).

 My own philosophical thinking on the possibility that we may not be alone is impacted by C.S. Lewis’ “Space Trilogy” novel series.  Yet there is also a second consideration.  The separate question about life on other planets concerns whether this prospect is indeed supported by the actual, as opposed to conjectural evidence.  In my recent postings titled, “Still Not Enough Planets” (January 10 and 19, 2013), I address how extensive and weighty the parameters of the actual scientific demands are in order for a planet to be habitable.  The numbers on that roster continue to mount.  The odds that any given planet is habitable is determined by “factoring” all of the necessary parameters together (multiplying each one together with every other one).  For further consideration of that list of requirements I urge you to check out the website, www.reasons.org.  The host of known requirements which allow for the possibility of advanced Carbon-based life (and no other element from the periodic table qualifies as a potentially capable base for biological life) logically lead us to one of two answers to the question before us.  The dawning realization that the list of scientific demands is so impossibly high will lead either to the conclusion that we are truly alone in the universe.  Or, upon its discovery, it will be concluded that such a phenomenon was deliberately created by the Maker of all things who willed it so to be, in the place that He intentionally prepared.