Aldersgate Lectures 2023

Star Wars, Star Trek & Exoplanets: The Search for God in a World of Aliens (Part 1)

Speaker: Rev Prof David Wilkinson

Over the past couple of decades we have discovered over 5000 planets beyond our own solar system. Some of those planets are small rocky planets similar to the Earth and some of them are at the right distance from their stars to be at a temperature which would make possible the development of life. But does this mean that the Galaxy is full of extra-terrestrial intelligence and what does this mean for Christian faith?

Explore the scientific arguments for and against other intelligent life in the Universe, and consider whether the discovery of alien life would be a problem or a joy for those of Christian faith and discover whether our fascination with the question of alien life tells us something of our common search for God – a search that can be fulfilled in Jesus.

Star Wars, Star Trek & Exoplanets: The Search for God in a World of Aliens (Part 2)

Speaker: Rev Prof David Wilkinson

Science fiction expands the human imagination and is big business as an international media phenomenon. At the heart of the universes of Star Wars, Star Trek and the Marvel multiverse is the belief in many different alien civilisations – and often some form the divine.

Explore the question of aliens and the themes of hope, good and evil and belief in God in this genre – with lots of fun, clips, history and theological thinking. Our deep religious yearning within humanity for purpose, identity and salvation may be found in the story of Jesus from the perspective of understand our yearning to discover that we are truly not alone.

The Aldersgate Lectures took place on 23 and 24 May 2023 at Toa Payoh Methodist Church.