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In an era when private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin are leading humanity's venture into space, Christians face profound questions about our role in cosmic expansion. Is exploring and potentially colonizing other worlds consistent with Biblical teaching? What spiritual principles should guide our approach to these new frontiers?
Let's explore what Scripture reveals about our cosmic calling.
"And God blessed them [granting them certain authority] and said to them, 'Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subjugate it [putting it under your power]; and rule over (dominate) the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves upon the earth.'"
This original command (what theologians call the "dominion mandate") establishes our role as stewards of creation. But does this stewardship extend beyond Earth?
Many Christian scholars believe the dominion mandate naturally extends to space exploration. Since Genesis places the sun, moon, and stars within the same "expanse" or "firmament," it follows that humans have been given dominion over outer space as well. [^4][^5]
This broad understanding of dominion is reinforced in Psalm 8:
"You made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet"
The heavens themselves testify to God's glory, inviting our exploration:
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork."
This perspective was beautifully articulated by astronaut John Glenn who, after returning from space, said: "To look out at this kind of creation out here and not believe in God is, to me, impossible. It just strengthens my faith." [^5]
Our drive to explore the cosmos reflects the image of God within us - curious, creative, and drawn to discover the wonders of creation.
Some well-meaning believers have worried about space exploration based on verses like Psalm 115:16:
"The heavens are the heavens of the LORD, But the earth He has given to the children of men."
But this doesn't prohibit space travel. It simply affirms God's ultimate authority while allowing for human stewardship, just as He owns the Earth yet gave us dominion here. The verse employs Hebrew poetic parallelism rather than creating a prohibition [^4]
Consider also that the Psalm was written in an era when space travel was unimaginable. Scripture often speaks to its immediate audience while containing principles applicable to future developments.
As we contemplate reaching beyond Earth, we need ethical frameworks rooted in biblical principles.
Stewardship vs. Exploitation
The Creation mandate calls us to be stewards, not exploiters:
"Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it."
This creates a fundamental tension in space development. Will we treat cosmic resources with care and wisdom, or will we repeat past mistakes of exploitation?
The paper "Dystopian Corporate Space Feudalism" warns that without proper governance, corporate-led space colonization risks establishing "hierarchical societies where corporate entities assume roles historically played by feudal lords, controlling not only the means of production but also the fundamental necessities of life."[^1]
As Christians, we must advocate for space development that reflects God's character—just, merciful, sustainable, and life-giving.
Space exploration raises profound questions about accessibility, fairness, and how "cost constraints and profit incentives" might impair ethical judgment as more private companies enter the field.
Scripture is clear about what God expects from us:
"He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion), And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?"
This biblical mandate calls us to ensure space development includes:
Fair access to space benefits for all humanity
Protection of worker rights in space environments
Equitable distribution of resources and opportunities
Priority attention to vulnerable populations
The history of exploration offers important warnings. As Scientific American notes: "Human exploration has led to many extraordinary new discoveries, but it has also led inexorably to the appropriation and exploitation of natural as well as human resources."[^8]
As followers of Christ, we are called to approach space with humility and wisdom, learning from past failures in colonial ventures and seeking more just approaches.
One of the most troubling aspects of potential space colonization is what scholars term the "resource-control nexus" - the unprecedented leverage created when private entities control "every element required for human survival" in space habitats.[^2]
In space colonies, corporations could control breathable air, potable water, food production, habitable space, energy, and communication infrastructure—creating conditions where allegiance and labor are exchanged for the literal right to breathe.[^3]
Scripture consistently warns about the corrupting influence of power:
"For the love of money [that is, the greedy desire for it and the willingness to gain it unethically] is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves [through and through] with many sorrows."
Rather than accepting neo-feudal corporate structures, Christians should advocate for governance models based on biblical covenantal principles:
"Now the company of believers was of one heart and soul, and not one [of them] claimed that anything belonging to him was [exclusively] his own, but everything was common property and for the use of all."
"When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. You shall not strip your vineyard bare, nor shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and the stranger. I am the LORD your God."
"You shall consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you..."
"Remember the Sabbath (seventh) day to keep it holy (set apart, dedicated to God). Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath [a day of rest dedicated] to the LORD your God..."
As Physics World notes, we need to "carry out an uncomfortable self-assessment – what are the goals for public and private sectors in space? Are we technologically ready for such exploration? Who are the people putting progress ahead of ethical concerns and why?"[^9]
Christians must ask these difficult questions and help create space policies that:
Prioritize scientific discovery over mere commercial exploitation
Ensure benefits flow to all humanity, especially developing nations
Prevent militarization of space
Protect celestial environments
We need a space theology that addresses pressing questions:
How does our understanding of God's creation extend to other worlds?
What does it mean to bear God's image on other planets?
How does space settlement relate to God's ultimate plan for renewal?
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there is no longer any sea."
Space offers humanity "a chance to push forward in a way that benefits and includes us all and, with space science, humanity can begin to untangle its harmful and exploitative tendencies," according to researchers in Physics World.[^9] Christians must be at the forefront of this redemptive possibility.
As we look to the stars, remember that all creation on Earth and beyond belongs ultimately to God. Our exploration must be done with reverence, humility, and care, recognizing that we are stewards, not owners, of God's vast and wondrous cosmos.
The dominion mandate extends to the cosmos, calling us to explore and develop space in ways that honor God and serve humanity. We must reject exploitation and instead work toward cosmic development that reflects God's character: just, merciful, communal, and life-giving.
This requires theological engagement, ethical vigilance, and active participation in shaping humanity's cosmic future.
"The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And the expanse [of heaven] is declaring the work of His hands."
What glorious works will we discover as we venture further into His cosmos? And how will we reflect His character as we go?
How might the creation mandate in Genesis inform our approach to exploring and potentially settling other worlds?
What principles from Scripture could help us develop more just and equitable governance systems for space settlements?
How can Christians engage with space exploration in ways that promote the flourishing of all creation rather than exploitation?
[^1]: "Dystopian Corporate Space Feudalism: Examining Power Structures in Extra-Terrestrial Colonial Expansion," 2025.
[^2]: Ibid., Section III. "The Resource-Control Nexus in Space Environments."
[^3]: Ibid., Section III.A. "Life-Critical Resources as Control Mechanisms."
[^4]: Answers in Genesis. "Does the Bible Prohibit Space Travel?" Accessed May 19, 2025. https://answersingenesis.org/astronomy/does-the-bible-prohibit-space-travel/
[^5]: Answers in Genesis. "Should Christians Support Space Exploration?" Accessed May 19, 2025. https://answersingenesis.org/astronomy/should-christians-support-space-exploration/
[^6]: Focus on the Family Canada. "Christians in Space: Taking the Creation Mandate to the Stars." Accessed May 19, 2025. https://www.focusonthefamily.ca/content/christians-in-space-taking-the-creation-mandate-to-the-stars
[^7]: Centre for International Governance Innovation. "If Humanity Is to Succeed in Space, Our Ethics Must Evolve." Accessed May 19, 2025. https://www.cigionline.org/articles/if-humanity-is-to-succeed-in-space-our-ethics-must-evolve/
[^8]: Scientific American. "The Ethics of Sending Humans to Mars." Accessed May 19, 2025. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-ethics-of-sending-humans-to-mars/
[^9]: Physics World. "Building an Ethical Consensus for Space Exploration." Accessed May 19, 2025. https://physicsworld.com/a/building-an-ethical-consensus/
Rockefeller Kennedy
Author exploring biblical wisdom, philosophy, and technology. I connect ancient truths with modern challenges while occasionally venturing into unexpected territories. Join me for thoughtful explorations at the intersection of faith and innovation.
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Thanks for reading Christian Futurism: Biblical Wisdom for a Digital Age! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
Thanks for reading Christian Futurism: Biblical Wisdom for a Digital Age! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
Rockefeller Kennedy
