Would you take a one way ticket to Mars? This editorial in the New York Times floats the idea as a way of circumnavigating the almost impossible costs of producing a return rocket. God controls the future in his providence and Jesus will return when the Father sees fit but it's also good to lay sensible theological foundations. Just as we need to be thinking long and hard about the theological basis for human idenitiy, we need to be also thinking about the eventual possibility of Lunar and Martian colonies. They probably won't begin in my lifetime but during my lifetime the idea will move from speculation to probability and in my children's lifetime from probability to reality. Our theological planning for space exploration doesn't need to be specific, just robust, firmly based on the gospel essentials with a healthy appreciation for God's providence and a continued focus on the sinful identity of mankind.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Space Theology
Would you take a one way ticket to Mars? This editorial in the New York Times floats the idea as a way of circumnavigating the almost impossible costs of producing a return rocket. God controls the future in his providence and Jesus will return when the Father sees fit but it's also good to lay sensible theological foundations. Just as we need to be thinking long and hard about the theological basis for human idenitiy, we need to be also thinking about the eventual possibility of Lunar and Martian colonies. They probably won't begin in my lifetime but during my lifetime the idea will move from speculation to probability and in my children's lifetime from probability to reality. Our theological planning for space exploration doesn't need to be specific, just robust, firmly based on the gospel essentials with a healthy appreciation for God's providence and a continued focus on the sinful identity of mankind.