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I've been brainstorming on a new Christian Science fiction story I want to write. I have already come up with a good name for it. I've also been working on putting together this story for over a year now, but I've come up with a few questions. One of the questions that came to me was: "How does science and Christianity go together?" "How do you explain life on other planets?" "What about futuristic technology?" I know alot of people who say that science and religion don't go together, but when it comes to the Bible I have found many things that have left me reeling.
First off, I did some research on both the Bible and science so my story can be accurate on both levels. Furthermore, I am quite careful when it comes to accurate information of the two. I believe Christian Science Fiction stories could be a great tool to help meld the gap between these two subjects, and clear up much of the misunderstanding of biblical teaching and true science.
Many people may throw out ignorant comments like: "The Bible teaches that the earth was flat," and "Did you know that the Bible teaches that the sun revolved around the earth?" or that "The Bible teaches that the earth is the center of the universe." Questions and comments like these ignore the fact that such concepts are not found in the Bible, but stem from the idea that since humans are the center of God's attention, that the place where they live must be the center of God's universe. The Bible actually teaches the very opposite of what many people assume. Here are just a few examples I have been able to find.
1) The earth is a sphere:
Isaiah 40:22
"It is He who sit above the circle of the earth, and it's inhabitants are like grasshoppers, who stretched out the heavens like a curtain and spreads them out like a tent do dwell in."
Job 26:10
"He has inscribed a circle on the surface of the waters at the boundary of light and darkness."
2) The Earth is suspended in space:
Job 26:7
"He stretches out the north over the empty space and hands the earth on nothing."
3) The Earth is Controlled By The Heavens:
Job 38:33
"Do you know the ordinances of the heavens, or fix their rule over the earth?"
4) Any time there is a day and night on the Earth:
Luke 17: 34-35
"I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other will be left. There will be two women grinding at the same place; one will be taken and the other will be left."
5) Pleiades and Orion as gravitationally bound star groups.
Job 38:31
"Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades, or loose the cords of Orion?"
6) Light is in motion:
Job 38:19-20
"Where is the way to the dwelling of light? And darkness, where is its place, that you may take it to its territory, and that you may discern the paths to its home?
7) Every star is different:
1 Corinthians 15:41
"There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star glory."
Here are just a few of the many scriptures that I have found that coside with modern day science, and the great thing is that they were all written eons before people assumed out of ignorance that the world was flat.
Inside one of the science textbooks of the public school I used to attend, the author included a theory called evolution. This theory claims that we evolved from microorganisms. But it contradicted this very biblical teaching:
8) The universe was created from the invisible. Hebrews 11:3
"By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible."
Now the question comes up: "What about evolution? That's science right?" Not exactly. Evolution is a theory. The Bible teaches us that we were created, and yes, that is said to be a theory also, but there is much evidence that supports that the earth (and the universe) were created. To read more about this subject visit science against evolution.
So why must we believe that God created the universe? Here are some logical questions and explainations.
1) God created the universe or
2) he did not. There are no other possibilities.
Within the second possibility there is ONLY two possibilities:
A) Either the universe has been here forever, or
B) It had a beginning. There are no other possibilities.
A is IMPOSSIBLE: All the energy in the universe would have burned up and converted to heat, light & residue.
B is IMPOSSIBLE: As it requires nothing to turn into everything.
A&B are impossible so is 2 impossible. Therefore 1 is True by elimination.
So, would it be possible to write a Christian novel in a scientific way? Indeed, however; this has been a subject greatly deated among people who downlplay Christian fiction (especially science fiction or fantasy) as uselesss. Some would even go so far as to say that it is satanic, and that these type of genres would never be able to present biblical truths because the nature of those stories would take one into a realm of make-believe where truth is obsolete.
Though some Christian writers and publishers claim that it would be more simple to present those truths in a real-to-life way, and abandon the science fiction genre, yet others, like myself; see it as an opportunity to meld the gap between Biblical truths and genuine science, and to clear up the misunderstanding of the two that has been so common amoung our generation. Despite the argument against the science fiction genere, more readers, both Christian and non-Christian alike; are demanding fantasy and science fiction stories than ever before.
The question is not whether science fiction or fantasy is right or wrong, but rather the questions is how to present biblical truthes in the world of Fantasy and Science Fiction. Today, many readers have been endulging themselves into Christian based Science Fiction and Fantasy genres all over the world, and have reaped the benefit of these uniques stories.
So here are some questions that I have been asked: "What about Dinosours?" Depending on what time frame you are telling the story, you could very well explain from a Christian perspective; what happened to the dinousours (or what could have happened), whether it be because of the great flood that wiped out all life from the earth, or whether it be because man feared them so much that he killed them off.
"What about extra-terrestrials?" The reason for this idea being abandoned by many Christian writers and publishers could be that they hesitate to place Biblical truth into the futuristic world that is unknown, and full of mystery. Writing stories about extra terrestials (aliens or non-humans) from other planets can really be difficult for the Christian writer. Therefore they don't see it to be possible to reflect Biblical truth in such a story. However, ther is still a way a Christian can write a plausible science fiction story that can reflect Biblical truth. To accomplish this, one must first be knowledgable of Biblical doctrine, prophecy, past, present, and future events from cover to cover. This kind of knowledge is vital to create a believable Christian scifi with no confusion.
A perfect example of this is when one wants to tell a story of the Biblical future, or even during the thousand year period that Jesus rules and reigns over the Earth, one can stretch his imagination far and wide on the events that could take place. Anything is possible, that is; expect a few things concerning Christian writer. The Bible also teaches us that during that thousand year period, Satan would be bound up, so if the novelist were to write of Satan's evil works during that period, that would be a contradicion to actual Biblical truth, and many readers would just put the story down and move on. Biblical knowledge is essential when writing a Christian novel, especially when it comes to Science Fiction. I cannot stress that enough!
"So, is it possible I can write a science fiction story from a Biblical perspective?" Contrary to how many Christian writers and publisher think, if a writer wants to let his imagination take him to places he's never gone before, such as to other worlds, other galaxies, or writing about extra-terrestrials, spaceships, or futuristic technology, there is no limit to what you can write about concerning the future just as long as it does not contradict Biblical principles, prophecies, or teachings! As a matter of fact, there is nothing in the Bible that speaks against such possibilities!
Here is a scripture that I have discovered that supports the idea of man going beyond the imagination, a foot hold that humankind is destined to take. Obadiah 1:4
"Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the Lord."
Could "Nest is set among the stars..." suggest space travel? It could. Any good Chrisstian writer can use his or her imagincation without limit to create the world or worlds they dream of, and write a spectacular novel that will spark the imaginations of many. Just remember, as a Christian novelist; to keep it as a Biblical perspective, no aliens coming to Earth destroying the human reace with their lethal weapons. That would not be a biblical view. There are, however; come Biblical events that take place that could suggest an invasion from another world.
Science Fiction is a definite yes for a Christian novelist, Manga-ka, or comic book creator, when it comes to helping children defend their faith in a culture that reflects the opposite values and teachings!
