The Only

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   We are informed that this universe that we know is made up of billions and bilions of galaxies, where our milky way galaxy is just one of them. Yet in this milky way alone there are billions of suns like ours.
Now how do we fit this text against the above information?
John 3:16  
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The word only is problem considering the possibility of earth like planet is very high. If the only son is only for this world than who is sent there somewhere else to give them the everlasting life? I remember a friend at work who is devout christian said to me maybe the word only does not have to be taken literally. (The above verse a copy and pasted a bible software, KJV version.)
In the past this kind of statements were escaped from scrutiny, but not today. In general sense I undertand the general direction for it.
What do you think. 
(Is this subject relevant here?)

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superme Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 03 April 2006 Location: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Status: Offline Points: 463	Post Options Post Reply Quote superme Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: The Only Posted: 14 April 2006 at 8:52am
	We are informed that this universe that we know is made up of billions and bilions of galaxies, where our milky way galaxy is just one of them. Yet in this milky way alone there are billions of suns like ours. Now how do we fit this text against the above information? John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only* Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.* The word *only* is problem considering the possibility of earth like planet is very high. If the only son is only for this world than who is sent there somewhere else to give them the everlasting life? I remember a friend at work who is devout christian said to me maybe the word *only* does not have to be taken literally. (The above verse a copy and pasted a bible software, KJV version.) In the past this kind of statements were escaped from scrutiny, but not today. In general sense I undertand the general direction for it. What do you think. (Is this subject relevant here?)

Angela Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 11 July 2005 Status: Offline Points: 2555	Post Options Post Reply Quote Angela Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 April 2006 at 9:02am
	God is the creator of all worlds. There is no problem in my mind thinking he could have created other worlds with other peoples and prophets. But, they would have no bearing on this world. Our salvation comes through his revelations and commandments here. Your logic would make sense to an unorthodox Christian like a Mormon, but to a mainstream Christian they would say false. Jesus was the only Begotten son. Therefore there couldn't be other sons. This would also mean that you have to believe that at the very least their could be life on other planets. Many of the Christians I grew up around emphatically deny there could be life other than Earth. That only through God is there life on this planet and this planet alone has life. So the point of view on this would be different for each Christian. Those that believe in the possibility of extraterrastriel life (I cringe using this word because it conjures pictures of little green men.) would ponder your hypothesis in conjunction with the Bible. Those that don't believe in ETs would reject it outright.

superme Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 03 April 2006 Location: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Status: Offline Points: 463	Post Options Post Reply Quote superme Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 April 2006 at 9:17am
	*Jesus was the only Begotten son. Therefore there couldn't be other sons.* Angela the word only is actually the problem. The statement in 3:16 does indicate that the possibility of other life form is out. OR, if they are exist than they are not saved. *This would also mean that you have to believe that at the very least their could be life on other planets.* Remember, Jesus here is as the only saviour. If them who are somewhere else are saved by any other means (Prophets) therefore all about Jesus is about here - a local matter instead of a universal.

Angela Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 11 July 2005 Status: Offline Points: 2555	Post Options Post Reply Quote Angela Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 April 2006 at 9:24am
	That is the correct mainstream Christian belief. Jesus is the only way. But like I said, Most devout Christians I know don't believe in life elsewhere.

Athanasius Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group Joined: 13 April 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 65	Post Options Post Reply Quote Athanasius Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 April 2006 at 9:58am
	If there is life on other planets, that has not been revealed to us in the Scriptures. The Scripture state that NO MAN comes to the Father but by the Son, and that Jesus is the ONLY way of salvation. Therefore, if any other man exists on any other planet, they, too will be saved through Jesus Christ who was the ONLY BEGOTTEN Son, which means, eternally generated by the Father (it does not mean that He was "begotten" through some act in the flesh).
	Freedom is a gift from God - to deny men freedom is to worship evil.

superme Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 03 April 2006 Location: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Status: Offline Points: 463	Post Options Post Reply Quote superme Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 April 2006 at 10:14am
	For God so loved the world. Athanasius, the world in there, which world is that?. Btw, your number of posts is very impressive I tell you. In 1 1/2 year you will bring Angel to humble herself before the lord.

Athanasius Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group Joined: 13 April 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 65	Post Options Post Reply Quote Athanasius Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 April 2006 at 10:25am
	The Greek word used here for "world" denotes all creation. When Jesus said, "go out into all the world," he refered to all that exists.
	Freedom is a gift from God - to deny men freedom is to worship evil.

Alwardah Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25 March 2005 Location: South Africa Status: Offline Points: 980	Post Options Post Reply Quote Alwardah Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 April 2006 at 10:58am
	Hi Not taking part in this discussion. just curious Superme where is Aruba? I know stupid question.
	�Verily your Lord is quick in punishment; yet He is indeed Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful (Surah Al-An�am 6:165) "Indeed, we belong to Allah and to Him is our return" (Surah Baqarah 2: 155)