Theological Implications of Extraterrestrial Life
Would Jesus’ Sacrifice Have Saved Intelligent Extraterrestrial Life?
This is the third post in the three part series on the theological implications of extraterrestrial life.
In the last post, we discussed how C.S. Lewis suggested that if aliens were born with original sin, they might not have needed a separate sacrifice by Jesus for their redemption. He cited Romans 8:19-22
For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now
Therefore, when Jesus was crucified on Earth, Lewis felt that His ultimate sacrifice may have sufficed for all of creation – throughout the universe.
Lewis’ theory is undeniably elegant, but it does have its flaws.
First we must realize that God didn’t need to send his Son to earth in order to save us. We could have been saved in an instant merely by the will of God. There are likely important reasons that Jesus came in the flesh to save us.
First he came to fulfill the prophesizes of the Old Testament. He came to fulfill the Old Covenant.
Second, he came so that we might believe. He performed many signs, He rose from the dead, and even left behind the Shroud of Turin so that those who are doubtful might believe. (Some people, of course, will never believe no matter the magnitude of the proof, as exemplified by the parable of Lazarus and the rich man. Luke 16:31 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'
Catechism of the Catholic Church
458 The Word became flesh so that thus we might know God's love: "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him." "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
Third, Jesus came to teach us. In a prior post, we learned that we are to emulate his ways.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
459 The Word became flesh to be our model of holiness: "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me." "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me." On the mountain of the Transfiguration, the Father commands: "Listen to him!" Jesus is the model for the Beatitudes and the norm of the new law: "Love one another as I have loved you." This love implies an effective offering of oneself, after his example.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Jesus came to give meaning to our suffering. It is during the mass- during communion –that we have the clearest answer as to why bad things happen to good people.
Jesus, of course, gave the ultimate sacrifice to mankind. He humbled himself by becoming man, and allowing himself to be crucified in the most horrible and painful way. During mass, when we receive the Eucharist - which Jesus clearly told us is His real presence – the body and blood of Christ - we should meditate upon the sufferings that we have endured over the prior week. Through the miracle of the Eucharist, we transcend time and space and in our own small way, with our own small sufferings, we momentarily join with Christ and his sufferings on the cross. Paul explained this in Colossians 1:24
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ.
Every time we offer our sufferings to God, we receive unimaginable graces. One Saint said that if we understood the incredible redemptive power of suffering, we’d actually beg God for more. Bishop John Steinbock of the Diocese of Fresno, who died of cancer said, “Cancer of itself is not a gift, but the grace to accept it, embrace it, and give thanks for it, is the greater gift of God within me.”
However, if we suffer and do not offer it up to God – if our thoughts instead turn inward – then our sufferings become utterly meaningless. We isolate ourselves from God and all others.
The Catechism teaches us that God became man to show us his divine love. Without seeing Jesus’ sacrifice, how could we – or aliens – appreciate His ultimate sacrifice? How could they learn the value of suffering? If aliens have original sin, but were unknowingly saved by Jesus’ sacrifice on Earth, they would have no understanding or appreciation of the concepts listed above. Therefore, C.S. Lewis’ theory is not entirely satisfying.
In the next post we’ll speculate on whether extraterrestrials could have souls.
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