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(Continued from page 23)
The tenuous Martian atmosphere
would offer almost no protection.
Despite these formidable obsta–
eles, many still believe that sorne
kind of lowly life could exist on
Mars; at sorne earlier era, sorne sug–
gest, Mars may have been much
more hospitable to life. The remo–
test possibility of life there has not
been totally ruled out by scientists.
Consequently, NASA's next probe
of Mars, in 1975, will be crammed
with instruments, including color
TV cameras, which may provide the
final answers.
Jovian Life?
Does life exist on Jupiter or Sa–
turo? Twin Mariner spacecraft -
which are to be launched in 1977-
are scheduled to pass the giant plan–
ets, carrying special instruments to
look for life-sustaining chemicals in
their atmospheres.
SpecificaHy, tbe Mariner probes
willlook for pyrimidines - chemical
compounds necessary for life.•
If any Ji fe does exist on those two
planets, many believe it would
probably be in the form of microbes
suspended in the atmosphere. If any
such microbes are detected on Jupi–
ter or Saturo, the discovery would
greatly increase the chances of find–
ing life on other planets. The likeli–
hood that life exists on otber planets
in remole solar systems would be
strengthened.
It is an intriguing thought . But at
this point, it is pure speculation. No
such microbes were found by the
Apollo astronauts. They brought
back absolutely no evidence of any
life existing on the moon, and the
Mariner probes that photographed
Mars found no evidence of life.
Nevertheless, the possibility of life
existing in outer space continues to
fascínate mankind.
A Strange Fascination
This unique fascination about life
in space is fed by the grist milis of
1
Pyrimid ines are the basis for nucleic acids. which
carry
the genetic information for life. lf pyrimi–
dioes exist on other planets. biochemists speculate
tbat sorne form of life could also exist there.
26
science fiction , popular TV pro–
grams such as
Star Trek,
and space
movies like
2001: A
Space Odyssey.
The accomplishments of astronauts
in the space program, particularly
the Apollo program, which success–
fully landed men on the moon and
retumed them to earth, has height–
ened man's interest in the other
members of our solar system.
This fascination began long ago.
For centuries, writers have dreamed
about reaching the moon and have
speculated about life in outer space.
Swedish sc ientist and mystic
Emanuel Swedenborg ( 1688-1772)
claimed he was visited by spirits
from other planets who described to
him countless inhabited worlds. He
was told that two different races in–
habit Venus - a cruel, warlike race,
and a mild, humane race.
Modero writers, inspired by the
1969 moon landing by astronauts
Armstrong and Aldrin, have also
speculated. Novelist Ray Bradbury
commented: "Space travel says you
can live forever. We are God re–
creating himself." Writer Norman
Mailer, with penetrating insight, ob–
served: "Let us recognize that we
are trying to become Gods."
President Nixon, after the com–
pletion of the historie Apollo 17
tlight, reflected that God must be
behind the success of the space pro–
gram. He asked, "Can we look at
the record of 24 roen returned to
earth alive and well and not see
God's hand in it?"
Somehow, space seems linked
with man's destiny - and with God.
But how does God enter the pic–
ture?
If
indeed there is a God, can
we know
bis
thoughts about space?
Is there a source of knowledge
that reveals the thoughts and mind
of God about life in outer space and
the destiny of roan?
Such a source, believe it or not, is
the Bible.
God, Man, Space,
and Genesis
The Bible is a unique book. It
claims to be the revelation from
God to all mankind.
Just what does this book say
about life on other planets? What
does it say about man's ultimate
purpose for living? Does it reveal
whether man will ever really "con–
quer space"?
In the book of Genesis, written
over three thousand years ago, we
read that Almighty God "created
the heavens and the earth" (Genesis
1: 1).
He later designed plant and ani–
mal life on the earth. Finally, we
read: "Then God said, 'Let us make
roan in our image, after our like–
ness; and Jet them bave dominion
over the fisb of the sea, and over the
birds of the air, and over the cattle,
and over all the earth, and over
every creeping thing that creeps
upon the earth'" (verse 26). (All
scriptures are quoted from the
RSV.)
Notice that this record declares
God gave man dominion or ruler–
ship over all that is on the earth. He
did not, in this verse, mention outer
space, the stars, or other galaxies!
This truth is corroborated by an
ancient king of Israel, David: "The
heavens are the Lord's heavens, but
the earth he has given to the sons of
men" (Psalm 115:16).
So here we find that God made
man and gave him dominion over
the earth - not heaven. But we dis–
cover that man was made in the
image and likeness of God. What
does this mean?
Notice another intriguing passage
of scripture. The apostle Paul was
inspired to look into the future and
write; "For it was not to angels that
God subjected the world to come, of
which we are speaking.
lt
has been
testified somewhere, 'What is man
that thou art mindful of him, or the
son of man, that thou carest for
him? Thou didst make
him
for a
/itt/e while
[that is, during our
present, fieshly existence) lower than
the angels, thou has t crowned him
with glory and honor, putting every–
thing in subjection under his feet.'"
Paul then explains: "Now in put–
ting everything in subjection to him
(man), he left
NOTHING OUTSIDE HIS
PLAIN TRUTH
January 1974