#9 Mars: Exporting Sin

Why Christians Shouldn't Colonize Mars

Mars offers humanity nothing: no air to breathe, no water to drink, no soil to grow. Its desolation is absolute—the very definition of barrenness. So why go? It seems like a waste of time, money, and valuable resources that could be used to make planet Earth better. For instance, why not terrariumize our oceans? Why not transform the Sahara Desert into clean energy grids or build underwater cities in our oceans, to expand living space while promoting oceanic research and the development of marine-based resources? These are far less complex and far more achievable endeavors. Plus, the impact and benefit of these would be more immediate. Still, the draw of Mars persists. Why? Because we tell ourselves this is progress, that we are extending human consciousness into the stars. It sounds like we're already admitting we can’t fix things here, so let’s start over. But in truth, the only thing we are making multiplanetary is our iniquity. If we’ve already corrupted one planet, why double our failure?

Since Eden, mankind has grasped for autonomy, looking for every and any reason to break free from the eye of God. Mars is just the latest iteration of mankind's rebellion—new technology, but the same sinful heart. Fallen man runs from God by nature, and Mars, lifeless as it is, might become another stage for our restless wanderings. But the Red Planet was not created for us; it was created for God's glory. How this works itself out in the end is God's prerogative. This much we do know: “The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men” (Psalm 115:16). It appears that won’t stop us from attempting to impose ourselves upon it—to try and terraform the Red Planet and, in doing so, attempt to alter humanity’s trajectory itself. Yet, just like Eden, sin will poison the very ground we touch on Mars. What man fails to grasp is that our rebellion follows us wherever we go.

Like Cain, who wandered east of Eden to build a city and establish his name apart from God (Genesis 4:16-17), we now set our sights on Mars as a refuge from the consequences of our fall. We imagine that a new frontier will free us from the impact of Eden—its wars, depravities, and ecological disasters. But the radiation belt on the way to Mars will not wash away our sin. It will neither absolve us of our guilt nor free us from God's judgment. Mars will just become Act Two of the same sad tragedy. Sure, the sands of Mars may be untouched by human hands, but they will not remain untainted by the human heart.

When we speak of becoming a "multiplanetary species," we fail to admit the reality of who we are. Our fingerprints are soot-covered; everything we touch is bespeckled with corruption. We are not taking the best of humanity to Mars; we are exporting our sin. There is no escape from the curse. As the psalmist reminds us, “The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies” (Psalm 58:3). Whether on Earth or Mars, this truth remains. We will exploit, hoard, deceive, and destroy. That’s fallen man. The same pride that built Babel will construct rockets to Mars, and the same greed that consumes Earth now will strip Mars of whatever it has to offer.

The tragedy of colonizing Mars is its utter futility. For all the billions spent, for all the technological marvels created, humanity will only succeed in multiplying its iniquity across the stars. Mars will not become a new Eden; it will become another footnote of human tragedy. The hope for humanity doesn't lie on the surface of the fourth rock from the sun, but in the Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ, this planet's Creator and Savior. For all its brokenness, Earth is still the staging ground of God’s redemption for mankind lost. To leave Earth in search of salvation elsewhere is to deny the very source of salvation itself.

The attempt to colonize Mars offers nothing more than a looking-glass—a reflection of humanity’s fallen heart. It will not save us; it will only expose us. True freedom, true hope, can’t be found in human autonomy. It’s found alone in the One who sets captives free. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). Welcome to the New World in Christ. He will properly legitimize all exploration—of both space and our own sinful hearts. Rather than colonizing Mars, Christians should focus on colonizing Heaven, magnifying the One who created us and who alone can redeem humanity: “He hath made us, and not we ourselves” (Psalm 100:3).

“All people that on Earth do dwell,
Sing to the LORD with cheerful voice.”

Without Him, we will corrupt every frontier we touch.