As Christians, we face challenges no previous generation of believers has encountered. One of these challenges is the rise of new ideas about the history of the world.
The recent increase in UAP sightings and the government’s acknowledgment of their reality has sparked various reactions within the Christian community. Some Christians view these sightings as potential evidence of extraterrestrial life, raising questions about the uniqueness of humanity and the nature of God’s creation.
Others interpret these events through a spiritual lens, seeing them as manifestations of angelic or demonic forces. Some Christians remain skeptical, attributing the sightings to natural phenomena or misinterpretations.
Among these is a fascinating, albeit controversial, notion propagated by a man named Erich von Däniken. Perhaps you’ve heard of him? If not, let me fill you in.
Von Däniken is famous for proposing that humanity was created or influenced by astronauts—beings from other planets. Surprisingly, he’s not alone. Numerous other writers echo these ideas.
Take Gerald Hawkins, for example. When studying Stonehenge, Hawkins described it as a monument of astonishing precision, a testament to the scientific abilities of prehistoric humans. Others, like Charles Berlitz in Mysteries from Forgotten Worlds, question whether there were advanced civilizations in humanity’s distant past that we know nothing about.
Many today believe that our distant ancestors possessed knowledge about the universe that modern people lack. Some even argue they had powers or access to cosmic forces unknown to us now. Evidence for these theories, they claim, can be found in prehistoric cave paintings that seem to depict astronauts, spaceships, and flying saucers—suggesting that extraterrestrials once ruled and guided this planet.
Increasingly, people believe in “friendly sky people”—benevolent extraterrestrials who want to help us progress as a civilization but are hindered by astral powers or other malevolent beings. This belief isn’t relegated to fringe groups; it’s shared by people across all levels of society, from esteemed professors to casual readers of pulp fiction.
The recent surge in UFO sightings has ignited a dangerous trend: blending these phenomena with biblical interpretations. Millions now ponder the possibility of extraterrestrial life, often turning to the Bible for answers. Unfortunately, many are fixated on literal interpretations, overlooking the spiritual depth within the text.
History has shown the perils of mixing science fiction with religious belief. Scientology, born from a blend of science fiction and psychoanalysis, is a prime example. This commercialized religion, built on fantastical notions of past lives, galactic rulers, and intergalactic wars, has attracted countless followers. It’s a cautionary tale of how easily people can be swayed by such outlandish ideas.
Adding fuel to the fire is the popularity of science fiction. On one end of the spectrum, you have comics designed purely for entertainment; on the other, serious scientific works grappling with questions about extraterrestrial life. Somewhere in between lies a growing belief that humanity no longer needs God because we might owe our existence to superior beings who visited our planet long ago—and perhaps are still watching us.
This new religion—if I may call it that—mixes a bit of science, a lot of imagination, a sprinkle of spirituality, and a dash of the occult. It tells us that our ancestors wielded ancient powers taught to them by visitors from the stars. What primitive people considered magic, this view argues, was merely advanced knowledge passed down by extraterrestrials.
Take Yuri Geller, for instance. The Israeli psychic became a sensation, claiming he could bend spoons and stop watches without touching them. But Geller didn’t attribute his powers to himself; he said they were a gift from “The Nine,” mysterious cosmic controllers of the universe. According to his official biography, Geller was visited by a messenger from The Nine who revealed astral secrets to him.
Even skeptics are beginning to explore questions about telepathy, mental powers, and the like. The Soviet Union, despite its atheism, once set up a department to investigate psychic phenomena, UFOs, and related subjects. These topics are no longer confined to fringe enthusiasts but have gained a foothold in serious academic and scientific discussions.
So why am I bringing all this up? Because as Christians, we must understand the cultural forces shaping the world around us. UFOs and psychic phenomena are fueling a new belief system that claims to explain humanity’s past, present, and future without any reference to God. It promises enlightenment through unraveling mysteries like UFOs, psychic abilities, and the occult.
Now, let’s consider the Christian response.
First, let’s start with von Däniken himself. Von Däniken was a Swiss hotelier with a colorful past, including convictions for fraud, embezzlement, and forgery. Despite this, he managed to sell 25 million books, beginning with his 1969 bestseller Chariots of the Gods. His success has made him a millionaire, spawned TV programs, films, and even an LP. His books are so popular that they’re often unavailable in libraries or bookstores because they’re constantly checked out or sold out.
Von Däniken’s theories include examples like the Piri Reis map, an ancient Turkish map from the 16th century that supposedly shows the coastlines of North and South America and Antarctica with remarkable accuracy—down to mountain ranges hidden beneath ice. According to von Däniken, such precision could only be achieved by an advanced civilization with aerial technology.
He also points to artifacts like an incredibly fine piece of cloth discovered in “Helwan” (a location that remains somewhat obscure) that supposedly surpasses modern textile technology. Or take the island of Elephantine in the Nile River, which, when viewed from above, resembles the shape of an elephant. Von Däniken argues that ancient people could only have known this by aerial observation.
From examples like these, von Däniken concludes that an advanced race once walked the earth, and humanity owes its knowledge and progress to their intervention.
From examples like these, von Däniken concludes that an advanced race once walked the Earth, and humanity owes its knowledge and progress to their intervention.
However, many serious scientists dismiss von Däniken as one of the most outlandish crackpots, while others argue that his ideas deserve consideration. Personally, I find his theories easily dismissible for several reasons.
1. Questionable Evidence and Misinterpretations
Von Däniken often cites biblical references to support his claims. For instance, he interprets the Book of Exodus as describing advanced technology, suggesting that the Ark of the Covenant was made of an alloy too sophisticated for its time. However, such interpretations are inaccurate. The Bible does not mention an alloy; instead, it describes the Ark using materials available during that era.
He also discusses the Piri Reis map, an 18th-century Turkish map that some claim accurately depicts parts of North America, South America, and Antarctica before their discovery. Von Däniken asserts that such precision could only come from an advanced civilization with aerial capabilities. However, upon closer examination, the map contains significant inaccuracies, such as placing Japan where Cuba should be and inaccurately representing mountain ranges beneath the Antarctic ice. These errors undermine his argument that the map is proof of ancient extraterrestrial influence.
2. Flawed Artifact Interpretations
Von Däniken points to artifacts like a piece of cloth found in Helwan, claiming it was produced by superior textile technology beyond the capabilities of ancient civilizations. Yet, the location “Helwan” remains unclear, and there is no credible evidence to support the existence of such advanced textiles during that period.
Another example is the island of Elephantine in the Nile River. Von Däniken suggests that its elephant-like shape, visible only from the air, indicates that ancient people had aerial observation capabilities. In reality, the island’s shape has changed over time due to natural geological processes. The name “Elephantine” derives from the Greek word for ivory, reflecting the island’s historical role in the ivory trade, not its shape.
3. Logical Inconsistencies
Von Däniken’s theories often contain logical fallacies. For example, he argues that ancient humans drew human skeletons with anatomically correct details before the invention of X-rays in 1995. This claim ignores the possibility that such drawings were based on observation or artistic license, not necessarily scientific knowledge.
Additionally, he asserts that ancient inscriptions in northern China describe astronauts and spacecraft. However, linguistic experts have debunked these claims, noting that the supposed inscriptions are either misinterpreted or fabricated.
4. Misrepresentation of Historical Events
Von Däniken suggests that the biblical story of the walls of Jericho falling is evidence of extraterrestrial intervention through sound waves. This interpretation overlooks the symbolic and theological nature of the narrative. Moreover, if extraterrestrial beings had the capability to cause such events, it raises questions about why they didn’t focus on maintaining their presence or technology on Earth, especially given the vast amounts of space debris we observe today.
5. Contradictions with Scientific Understanding
Von Däniken’s theories often contradict established scientific knowledge. For instance, he claims that Sumerians had highly developed astronomy capable of tracking 25 stars. While the Sumerians were indeed advanced in many ways, their astronomical knowledge was not as precise as von Däniken suggests.
Furthermore, his interpretation of ancient art as depicting spacecraft ignores the cultural and artistic contexts of those works. Many symbols and images in ancient art have been misinterpreted through a modern lens, leading to unfounded conclusions about extraterrestrial influence.
The Christian Perspective
As Christians, it’s essential to approach such theories with discernment. The Bible clearly states that God is the creator of the heavens and the Earth, including all stars and galaxies. Humans are uniquely created in God’s image, and the scriptures do not teach that we are one of many intelligent species in the universe. Instead, humanity holds a special place in God’s creation.
Mixing UFO theories with Christian theology can be dangerous. It can lead people to seek answers outside of God’s revelation, focusing on speculative and often unfounded ideas rather than the spiritual truths found in the Bible. Additionally, adopting such beliefs may cause individuals to drift away from their faith, prioritizing human ingenuity or extraterrestrial explanations over divine providence.
Conclusion
While the fascination with UFOs and extraterrestrial life is understandable, it’s crucial to evaluate these ideas critically, especially from a Christian standpoint. Erich von Däniken’s theories, though popular, lack credible evidence and often misinterpret historical and archaeological data. As believers, we are called to seek truth grounded in Scripture, resisting the allure of speculative and unverified claims that divert our focus from God’s truth.
In a world increasingly captivated by science fiction and alternative explanations for humanity’s origins, Christians must remain steady in their faith, upholding the truths revealed in the Bible. By doing so, we can navigate these cultural phenomena with wisdom and grace, ensuring that our beliefs are anchored in the eternal Word of God rather than the fleeting trends of popular culture.
No amount of technological advancement or extraterrestrial intervention can address humanity’s deepest need: reconciliation with God. Romans 5:8 reminds us, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
The Gospel offers a hope and purpose far greater than any speculative alien narrative. It invites us into a relationship with the Creator of the universe, who loves us and has a plan for our redemption.
Looking to strengthen your understanding of Christian apologetics? In our latest post, we dive into William Lane Craig’s Reasonable Faith, exploring how this influential book offers compelling arguments for the existence of God, the resurrection of Jesus, and the reliability of Scripture. Whether you’re a seasoned apologist or just starting to explore the field, this post provides valuable insights for defending the Christian faith with logic and evidence. Check it out to deepen your knowledge and enhance your ability to engage with skeptics.