Some of you might not be surprised at all to learn that I am a bit of a sci-fi nut. I know, I know. Shocker. I have asked the questions around before, but I think is still relevant: If there is intelligent life out there do we as Christians need to Evangelize.

Now, given that we are presently not in contact with Extra-terrestrial beings (at least that I am aware of) the question seems slightly moot. However, the Universe is really, really big. Our Galaxy alone has about 100 Billion stars in it. The entire observable Universe has 10²² to 10²⁴ stars in it. Even if one was assume the chances of sentient life occurring was astronomically small the fact that the cosmos is so utterly huge makes the chance we are alone in the universe to be extremely small. From a Christian viewpoint we run into an issue of having to ask ourselves If God created the Universe only for Humans then Why did he make it so utterly big?

There had been some discussion by some Catholic Theologians on the question that if Aliens existed they might have never experienced a fall like man did; They might already be in perfect Communion with God. While I find this idea fascinating I don’t think this is likely. However, if their are Alien species out there that have experience a similar fall from Grace like humans then, yes, they would be in need of redemption. But maybe not quite the same one we have.

We are also told by Christ himself to Go out and “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. So, if we encounter Aliens does this commandment from him apply to us? In the Beginning of John’s Gospel we hear how the Word, Jesus, was made Flesh. So as St. Athanasius was concerned “The Son of God became man, that we might become god”.

I would categorically state my belief that if we did run into Aliens it certainly wouldn’t hurt to educate them about Christianity, and other religions of Humans, but that it is unnecessary. Simply put, the salvation of their own Species might involve having their own Christ; An incarnation of the Son of God becoming one of them. Now, this doesn’t mean that I am saying there is more than one Son of God, the second person of the Trinity. What I am saying is as far as I understand soteriology in that an incarnation of a Man-God was necessary for the Salvation of man so to would the Salvation of another species.

All of this is a bit of a moot point; But it won’t be forever. In fact, a part of me wonders if a situation might arise were Aliens land and say “Have you heard of the message of our Lord God and Saviour Xyualjualqak?”