Astrotheology: A Brief Intro

From time eternal, people have pondered whether they were alone or were there other worlds with other peoples living on them. Since the Moon Landing, more people have pondered what it would be like to live off the Earth. Meanwhile, various theologians discuss how any of this will impact the religions of the Earth.

 

This branch of theology is called “astrotheology.” (Note 1) Ted Peters, a Lutheran theologian, defines Astrotheology as (emphasis his) “that branch of theology which provides a critical analysis of the contemporary space sciences combined with an explication of classic doctrines such as creation and Christology for the purpose of constructing a comprehensive and meaningful understanding of our human situation within an astonishingly immense cosmos.”

 

In his paper, “Introducing Astrotheology,” Peters states the four tasks of the astrotheologian. First is to “(1) overcome geocentrism and anthropocentrism.” Second is to “(2) set the conditions for the debate between a single incarnation versus multiple incarnations in Christian soteriology.” (Note 2) Third to “(3) offer an internal critique to the space sciences.” (Note 3) Finally. “(4) contribute to public readiness for the day of extraterrestrial contact.” In short, develop “a theology of nature (emphasis his) that is cosmic in both space and time.”

 

“Astrotheology” was first coined by William Derham, an Anglican clergyman and noted naturalist. In 1714, Derham wrote “Astro-theology or a Demonstration of the Being and Attributes of God from a Survey of the Heavens.” For him, astrotheology should glorify God and the magnificence of His Creation.

 

Peters, a noted contributor to the field of astrotheology, adds areas for concern for theologians. Since he is a Lutheran, he focuses on Christian doctrinal matters. He details his concerns as (a) Creation, asking “What is the scope of God’s creation?” (b) The Person and Work of Christ, (c) Sin, asking “Do extraterrestrials sin?” (d) Eschatology, asking “How should we handle the biblical symbols of ‘a new creation’ and ‘eternal life,” and finally (e) Ethics.

 

Meanwhile, A.C. Pieterse, South African theologian, describes astrotheology as “a prophetic wormhole that relates space-time to eschatological transformation.” He ponders the “entangled universe” that is constantly in flux. According to Pieterse, “space and time are the four-dimensional canvas embedded in this complex and braided reality.” He concludes that “a relational Christ, with immutable attributes of space and time, is actively involved in an entangled cosmos where space and time mutually interact. Astrotheology is the vehicle of choice that connects these two perceived opposites, space-time in the natural world, and the essence of the Cosmic Christ.”

 

Most of the theologians who have been writing about the metaphysics of exo-life (Note 4) are Christians. Of those, only Roman Catholic and Mainline Protestants have been arguing about it in any detail. Meanwhile, Orthodox Christians simply regard ETs are demons. However, secular philosophers have published their ideas about other worlds and peoples, which they have called “cosmotheology.” (Note 5)

 

Notes:

Note 1. “Astrotheology” differs from “exotheology.” The former includes the latter. Exotheology is focused what religions extraterrestrials (ETs) may have and how will the religions of Earth will be affected by ETs.

 

Note 2. “Soteriology” is the Works of Christ, while “Christology” focuses on the Person of Christ.

 

Note 3. Michael Welker, German theologian, writes, “Theology can and must challenge the natural sciences to correct their false perceptions of theological themes and contents.” Quoted by Ted Peters, “Astrotheology, Our Common Cosmos: An Exercise in Astrotheology.”

 

Note 4. “Exo-life” refers to all life other than the Earth’s including extra-terrestrials (ETs).

 

Note 5. “Cosmotheology” was first defined by Immanuel Kant for “transcendental theology” that infers “the existence of a ‘Supreme Being’ from a general experience, without any closer reference to the world to which this experience belongs.”

 

Works Used:

O’Meara, Thomas, “Vast Universe.” Collegeville (MN): Liturgical Press. 2012.

Peters, Ted, “Astrotheology, Our Common Cosmos: An Exercise in Astrotheology.” Sage Publications, Vol. 122, Issue 5, P. 363-367. 2019.

Pieterse, A.C., “Astrotheology as a prophetic wormhole that relates space-time eschatological transformation.” Acta Theologica. 2022. Vol 42 (1), P. 98-119.

Weintraub, David, “Religions and Extraterrestrial Life.” London: Springer Book. 2014.