We have to be so careful to, as the Bible directs us, discern the spirits. We are called to be spiritually-minded, and that means to view the ideas and experiences we encounter from a spiritual perspective. There are certainly elements in the unseen space, as Ephesians teaches us, that are aligned with God and those that are not. By applying Biblical discernment, we must reject ideas that do not line up with the teachings of Scripture. 1st John 4 (ESV) states:
1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. 4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Steven Spielberg is most certainly one of the most accomplished filmmakers in history. He has explored the world of the extraterrestial before, and he has done it yet again in his film, Disclosure Day. The Christian Post reported:
Director Steven Spielberg suggested during a Sunday interview that his new film about extraterrestrials might raise theological questions among some Christians regarding the nature of the cosmos.
Speaking with Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz on “CBS News Sunday Morning,” Spielberg said “Disclosure Day,” his upcoming movie about a meteorologist and a cybersecurity expert exposing the government’s cover-up of extraterrestrial secrets, will touch on the implications such a revelation would have for religious people.
That concept brought swift response from Christians online. For example…
“No it won’t. Hollywood is obsessed with the idea that the discovery of aliens will rock Christian faith. It’s weird,” said Christian podcaster Josh Daws.
“The only people who think the existence of aliens would mess with Christianity are non-Christians who don’t understand the first thing about Christianity,” said Eric Sammons, who is editor-in-chief of Crisis Magazine.
In a Breakpoint commentary written by John Stonestreet and Timothy Padgett, they write:
It’s not unusual for celebrity artists to weigh in on things outside of their expertise, but this talented filmmaker is out of his depth. Even if there were a real life disclosure day, it would not alter anything about Christians’ fundamental beliefs. The God portrayed in the Bible created and oversees the entire universe. As the Psalmist said, “The Lord established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” That could easily include other worlds and other life forms. But of course, there is no evidence of that anyway. This is a film. Spielberg must think that Christianity is barely hanging on from falling into the dustbin of history.
The writers take the reader through historical examples in which officials determined that Christianity would not endure - from the time of the High Priest Caiaphas, who believed that the influence of Jesus would be short-lived, through the years of the Roman Empire. Stonestreet and Padgett went on to say:
In the twentieth century, the Communists predicted the end of what Marx called the “opiate of the masses.” Everywhere they went, revolutionary groups assaulted religion, especially Christianity. In Russia, China, Cuba, and elsewhere, the first targets of the Communists were churches, pastors, priests, and other religious groups. Often the persecution worsened out of frustration that the Faith simply would not die. In the end, Christianity stood over Communism’s grave, after contributing to its demise.
And, yet the Church still stands - the practice of Christianity is extraordinarily strong and an attempt by a Hollywood filmmaker who believes that a fictitious account centered around aliens could adversely impact the Church is at best, wishful thinking, and at worst, a shoddy attempt to portray Christianity as weak and vulnerable.
But, that doesn’t mean we should not be aware of spiritual realities and unseen truths. As CBN.com stated in a recent story:
Interest in these matters has grown significantly in recent months. From a documentary film to congressional hearings, a Hollywood science-fiction movie and a national news magazine cover story, the narrative about extraterrestrial life reached new heights with the president’s announcement.
Some Christians have observed what they call rungs of disclosure and are, in fact, arming themselves with a biblical understanding of heavenly, spiritual realities. A pastor in Colorado recently preached a four-part sermon that included a discussion of angels, demons, aliens, and extraterrestrials.
The article quotes from pastor Matthew Spencer of Christ Church International who has worked with Youth With a Mission. The article goes on to say:
If there is a disclosure of UFOs, UAPs, aliens, and extraterrestrials, then people need to know the heavenly realm as described in the Bible is complex and layered; it’s more than saints floating on clouds, Pastor Spencer points out.
“We have to know the Word of God and the fact that it has answers to questions when we’re facing a reality that we can’t necessarily explain,” including the potential disclosure of extraterrestrials, Spencer said.
And, a recent Charisma Magazine article featured comments from prophecy expert L.A. Marzulli - it states: “Marzulli argued that modern discussions surrounding UFO disclosure cannot be separated from what he believes is a larger biblical narrative stretching back to Genesis.” The article notes:
“It’s a seed war,” Marzulli said. “It erupts in Genesis 6. We’re told about it in Genesis 3:15, but it becomes visible in Genesis 6.”
According to Marzulli, passages such as Genesis 3:15, Genesis 6 and Daniel 2:43 provide a framework for understanding the spiritual dimension behind the phenomenon.
Marzulli and Spencer both point to a falling away, according to 1st Timothy chapter 4. The Charisma article states:
Quoting 1 Timothy 4:1, Marzulli pointed to the apostle Paul’s warning that “some will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons.”
“What would cause some to depart from the faith?” Marzulli asked. “We are here. It’s happening. It’s being orchestrated.”
As conversations about Disclosure Day continue to spread across social media and popular culture, Marzulli believes Christians must be prepared to evaluate those claims through a biblical lens.
“Christians…understand what’s going on,” he said. “Do your homework.
The two concepts that emerge from these comments has to do with the strength of the Church and the spiritual warfare that we encounter. And, we should not have one without the other. If we believe in Jesus Christ, then we have access to His power - we will stand strong against the forces that seek to derail our Christian walk.
But, the Bible warns us against spirits that will come against us. Could they come in the form of aliens or unexplainable manifestations? Absolutely. That’s why we should be grounded in the Word and cognizant of the signs of the times. The Bible talks about understanding the times in which we live. Jesus taught in Luke 12:
54 “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?”
Perhaps a UFO or UAP will be an explanation for some sort of supernatural, evil manifestation that will weaken the faith of the vulnerable - certainly, the Bible has plenty to say about seemingly unbelievable events that will occur in the last days. But, we can keep looking up, looking to Jesus, and rejoice that our redemption draws nigh.