E. T.: Natural or Supernatural?

In the past few months we have watched many news broadcasts dealing with the UAP (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomenon) issue.  Are UAPs natural or supernatural?  The current periodic release of previously classified information by the US government has not satisfied the curiosity of many US citizens concerning the true nature of UAPs. Our appetite for information about UFOs intensified when Steven Spielberg’s E.T. fantasy movie was released in 1982. Before and since that date, public interest in UAPs has waxed and waned periodically.

A wealth of government information exists for the period from 1947 to date. Each individual is free to pass judgement on the effectiveness of information the US government reveals to the public. We sympathize with government officials’ efforts to explain the nature of UAPs. The truth about UAPs is difficult to grasp. How may unusual visual appearances and their strange capabilities be explained? The UAP issue is challenging, fascinating, and mysterious.

The study of UAPs suggests many questions related to their existence. The terms natural and supernatural emerge during discussions. Are UAPs natural, governed by laws of nature established by God for the operation of our created universe? Or are they manifestations of the supernatural? In everyday life, humanity is governed by familiar laws of nature, such as the law of gravitation, the laws of motion, and the finite speed of light (the latter is an example of a fundamental universal physical constant). There are many laws of nature and many physical constants. Supernatural events occur beyond or in addition to natural events which we experience hundreds of times daily. Many phenomena are attributable to unusual light reflections, weather phenomena, flocks of birds, or other out of the ordinary events. But a small percentage of sightings have no natural explanation. They acquire the moniker UAP—unidentified anomalous phenomena.

Humanity desires explanations for both natural and supernatural phenomena. Many scientists and non-scientists attempt to describe the actions of UAPs as natural events. They do not believe UAPs are supernatural phenomena. Many citizens would feel more comfortable if their questions about the means of UAP propulsion, motion, and visibility were explained by ordinary natural causes. A small percentage of UAP sightings, however, have no natural explanation.

Several years ago we generated ten consecutive posts on the subject of UAPs. Here is a link to the first post: https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2019/11/of-this-world.html  By clicking NEWER POST (bottom left), readers may access the remaining posts in the order they appeared. We recommend these ten past posts for further commentary on this important topic.

In the ten posts referenced above, you may find additional information on UAPs:  

(1) Are they real or figments of our imagination?  (2) History and definition of terms 

(3) Our personal explanation of UAPs  (4) Discussion of the occult and paranormal

(5) Multiple dimensions  (6) Dualism  (7) Personal experiences  

(8) Recommendations for further reading…

As we composed this post we recalled news media coverage of a UAP at Chicago O’Hare Airport on 11/07/2006. At the time, the incident was reported on network media, but not in great detail. In the two decades since, television media have periodically retold details of the startling anomalous phenomenon witnessed by twelve credible professional United Airlines employees for several minutes. The dark gray, metallic, saucer-like vehicle hovered over Gate C-17 before it suddenly zoomed upward toward the low hanging cloud cover and punched a hole in the clouds before it vanished. 

In the years since UFOs were more commonly observed by US citizens after WW II, many government authorities have trivialized public sightings and reports of UFOs and UAPs. They have cast doubt on eyewitness accounts, explaining them as “weather events” or faulty human visual perspectives. For this reason, many people do not report what they observe out of fear they would be ostracized.

In terms of government responses, we have read statements from US Vice-president JD Vance. He believes UAPs are manifestations of “demons” or “spiritual forces.” He also stated that he views the UAP phenomena through a “theological lens.” Using the same imagery, he further states he views the phenomenon through “lens of faith rather than fear.”

Our Christian faith supplies comfort for us in these days of uncertainty: “For In him we live, and  move, and have our being.” (Acts 17:28)

   

 

    

  

 

      

  

   

Extraterrestrial Reality

 A popular modern question: Do you believe life exists anywhere except Planet Earth in our vast universe? Science professionals agree that life has not been discovered in any  location but Planet Earth. There are many factors leading Earth residents to the conclusion: “We are alone.” In contrast, many of our citizens endorse the conclusion that extraterrestrial beings exist and have been observed.

The answers relate to several different factors. One factor is theology. We have described God as The Creator of All Things. Included in the concept of all things is space, matter, time, and energy which God also brought into existence “In The beginning.” Genesis 1:1 states in the beginning God created “the heavens and the earth.” Commentators define the meaning of “the heavens and the earth” as “everything, everything else, the entire cosmos,” and a number of other descriptors, such as “all that exists.”

Most modern commentators focus on the scientific reality of UAPs (unidentified aerial phenomena). How can we explain the capabilities of these phenomena? How can physical objects accelerate and decelerate at rates which would tear ordinary earth vehicles apart? What is their source of propulsion? What about the UAPs sighted by observers on earth’s surface, from airplanes, or even by astronauts walking on the surface of the Moon during the last Apollo flight in 1972? Reports of UAPs have increased in frequency since World War II.

In recent months there has been a revival of public discussion about the reality of UAPs. President Trump has directed that classified information concerning UAPs be gradually released in the interest of “transparency.” Historically, there has been much secrecy surrounding what government officials know about UAPs. True facts have been blended with false information for many years. Only about 5-10% of so-called UAPs do not have natural explanations such as flocks of birds, weather phenomena, or unusual reflections of light. Therefore, a few UAPs may really be mysterious.

Investigators search for natural, physical explanations for these UAPs. For example, they could be explained by visits to our planet by intelligent beings from within our home Milky Way Galaxy, or even from distant exoplanets far outside our home galaxy. If the extraterrestrial visitor came from an exoplanet within the Milky Way galaxy, it would consume many years of travel time to arrive at Earth. Could our extraterrestrial space visitors have come from the Moon or a planet in our Solar System? The likelihood of this scenario is remote beyond comprehension. UAPs supply humanity with many more questions than answers.

The universe is unimaginably enormous. The known observable universe is about 93 billion light years wide. This means we are uncertain whether the size of the universe is infinite or finite.

The Bible deals primarily with God’s redemptive plan for humanity on our planet. This does not exclude the creative power of God beyond Planet Earth. Life on other planets in our universe is highly improbable, but not impossible. Our Creator rejoiced in the beauty of the works he had created (Gen. 1:31), calling His works very good.

Secular scientists research the possibility that life may exist beyond our home planet. They are known as astrobiologists. Our home galaxy, the Milky Way, is only one of over 100 billion galaxies in our enormous universe. Galaxies are home to billions of stars. Scientists believe billions of galactic stars possess exoplanets, many of which are located in the habitable zone with physical conditions favorable to life. The most important condition is the presence of liquid water.

Planet Earth hosts several million different species of life. Many lay persons and scientists speculate on the possibility that life may exist at many locations in our vast universe. We understand their enthusiasm for the possibility of life somewhere else in this enormous universe. We should keep in mind that the Bible primarily teaches God’s plan for the redemption of humanity (John 3:16). 

Many other scripture passages highlight human exuberance related to God’s creative acts in the natural world. Psalm 148:3-5 (ESV) Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the Lord! For he commanded and they were created.

Also, Psalm 147:4-5: He determines the  number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.