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02/02/2012

There might be life out there - but not as we know it

LST's Prof Tony Lane gives Biblical view of aliens and our ever-expanding solar system

Earlier this month, amateur stargazer Chris Holmes astonished experts on BBC's TV Stargazing Live by discovering a new planet orbiting a star in a distant corner of the Milky Way. This brings to over 500 the number of such planets that have been discovered in recent years, and raises the question of whether these discoveries might enhance the possibility of finding intelligent life on new planets?

Suppose there is intelligent life on even one of these planets? What would such a discovery mean for Christian faith? Theologian Professor Tony Lane, who has a degree in mathematics and a doctorate in theology from Oxford University, considers this and other questions in the latest of public lecture from the London School of Theology (LST). His talk ‘Creatures, Cosmos and New Creation’ takes place at 7.45pm on 9th February at Emmanuel Church, Northwood. The talk is open to the public and can also be watched live as a webcast via a link from www.lst.ac.uk.

This is the latest in the series of annual “Laing Lectures”. So how likely is it that there is some form of life in outer space? Professor Lane looks at the evidence for extraterrestrial intelligence and concludes: “In my judgement, it is unlikely to be abundant, but I would by no means exclude the prospect of aliens in our own galaxy, let alone in some of the other 100-plus billion galaxies. But while it quite likely exists, given the vast distances involved it could be that we will never find proof of its existence, let alone communicate with it, let alone meet it face to face. Even if there are aliens close enough for us to access, would it be sufficiently like us for communication to be possible?”

Does the possible existence of extraterrestrial intelligence constitute a threat for Christian faith? Professor Lane argues that the Bible has nothing to say on the subject, for or against. If such beings exist, how does this affect the belief that human beings are created in God’s image? And if they exist, will they have sinned, like us? Would they be a “celestial saviour” or an “alien enemy”? And should we think of Christ as having been incarnate on many different planets?

Professor Lane says that, given the spate of discovery of new planets, the talk is both timely and topical.

The lecture is open to the public on a first come first served basis.

The next lecture from LST is: What is progress in New Testament Studies? The inaugural lecture by Professor Steve Walton 7pm, 06 March at London School of Theology

 

TONY LANE

Professor of Historical Theology

MA BD DD (Oxon)

Areas of special interest: Doctrine: especially Justification, Sacraments, Scripture & Tradition Historical Theology: especially Bernard of Clairvaux, Calvin, Moltmann.

Tony studied maths and theology at Oxford and Cambridge before joining the school's faculty in 1973. He has remained here since then, apart from a year away spent teaching in Kenya and researching in the USA. He was Course Leader for the School's BA programme for twelve years before becoming Director of Research from 1996 to 2008. In 2000 he was recognised by Brunel University as Professor of Historical Theology and in 2004 he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity by Oxford University.

He is an enthusiast for Christian doctrine, and especially its history. His desire is for students to become more aware of the riches of the Christian heritage. He has the ability to express complex doctrinal concepts. This talent is visible in his Concise History of Christian Thought (2006) and The Lion Christian Classics Collection (2004). Most of his scholarly writings have been on Calvin, including his John Calvin: Student of the Church Fathers (1999). He has worked intensively on the doctrine of justification and has published Justification by Faith in Catholic-Protestant Dialogue (2002). His latest book is A Reader's Guide to Calvin's Institutes (2009). For many years Tony chaired the Tyndale Fellowship Doctrine Group and he is one of the Presidium that runs four-yearly international congresses on Calvin research. He has examined PhDs for various universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, London and Edinburgh.

Tony likes to travel and has worked as a computer programmer in Holland, studied in Germany and taught in Germany, Kenya, Canada, USA, Croatia, Romania and Russia. He is an ardent squash player and is both interested and involved in politics. He is a keen photographer and has an extensive collection of images relating to Church History, many of which have been published. He and his wife Maggie have two grown-up daughters and a grandson.

To buy a copy of any of Tony's books please click here


LAING LECTURESHIPS

Since its foundation, London School of Theology has been committed to the pursuit of academic excellence.

One result of this was the institution of an Annual Public Lecture given by a member of the academic staff

as a contribution to evangelical scholarship.

 

Shortly after the School moved to its present site in Northwood, the decision was taken to widen the scope

of the annual lecture, inviting contributions from well-known evangelical scholars from other schools and

universities. One of the School’s benefactors, Sir John Laing, endowed the lecture and allowed his name to

be given to it.

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