This article is a reprint of an article I wrote more than thirteen years ago. I share it again here because the truths contained in it are as eternal as the Scriptures quoted within it.
“A long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…” No, this is not the introduction to another Star Wars saga. It is an introduction to the theory of Directed Panspermia that was once espoused by Francis Harry Compton Crick. Dr. Crick was the English born molecular biologist, who along with James D. Watson co-discovered deoxyribonucleic acid known more commonly as DNA.
At one point in his studies Dr. Crick, who believed in evolution, theorized that the current complexity of human DNA could not have evolved from simpler forms of DNA over the last 3.6 billion years life is believed to have existed here on earth. So Dr. Crick hypothesized that more than 3.6 billion years ago (a long, long time ago) higher evolved intelligent life forms elsewhere in the universe (in a galaxy far, far away) directed sperm pods to various planets in the universe capable of supporting life and earth was one of them. That in a nutshell (pun intended) is the theory of Directed Panspermia.
Since there is no definitive evidence that life, much less intelligent life, exists anywhere else in the universe this theory has fallen into disrepute. Dr. Crick later forsook the theory himself. But the exogenic theory of life, that is, the belief that life began elsewhere in the universe and was transferred to earth, appears to have a life of its own.
It is reported that a chromatic spectrum of the nearby Orion nebula transmitted from Europe’s Herschel Space Observatory shows the existence of “life-enabling molecules” there. Specifically, the compounds of carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, methanol, dimethyl ether, hydrogen cyanide, sulfur oxide, sulfur dioxide and water are present. Of these, the presence of water is significant. Water’s nickname “liquid of life” is assigned with good reason. Without water life, at least as we know it here on earth, cannot exist. Therefore, its presence, while not direct proof of life, infers the possibility of life.
While scientist rejoice in a new discovery, evolutionist exult in the hope their theory of life elsewhere in the universe will be vindicated. Many of them and some of you may think this would be the final nail in creationism’s coffin. Think again.
First, Genesis 1:1 declares, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Assuming God was uniform in His act of creation, it is reasonable to assume the elements and compounds found here on earth exist throughout the universe.
Second, while the Bible is silent on the subject of life elsewhere in the universe, it does not expressly say life does not exist elsewhere in the universe. For these reasons, discovery of life beyond this terrestrial existence would surprise me, but it would not alarm me. Such a discovery would not disprove a single word in Scripture. My faith rests on the revelation in His Word not some discovery of man.
I have always held that there is no contradiction between true religion and true science. When the Church of Rome excommunicated Galileo for opposing a geocentric universe and promoting a heliocentric planetary system, religion was wrong. When evolutionists say we should unquestionably accept their unproven theory of the facts and ignore equally sound and tenable theories about the same facts, science is wrong. I have never read of any fact revealed by science that caused me to doubt the Bible and I have never read anything in the Bible that caused me to doubt the facts revealed by science. Science without religion is godless knowledge and religion without science is blind faith. Mankind can ill afford either.
Man’s discoveries during his exploration of the cosmos cause me to echo the words of the psalmist, “The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the peoples have seen His glory” (Psalm 97:6) and man’s unraveling of the microbiological mysteries of DNA’s complexity and exactitude cause me to repeat, “I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).
I once heard a televangelist say he had asked God if there was life in outer space. He said God replied, “I’m out here.” While some may doubt God speaks to us today in such a way, I found these words to be simple, direct and true to Scripture (Psalm 139:7-10). I found these words to be inexplicably satisfying.
Scientists assert it is not logical to assume we are “alone” in the universe. I agree, because I do not think I am alone. Of course, you do not have to believe in God. If you prefer you can believe “A long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…”
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