In “Disclosure Day,” a movie released this summer, famed director Steven Spielberg once again invited audiences to ponder the existence of extraterrestrial life—and the implications it would have for religion on Earth.

In a CBS interview, Mr. Spielberg described what might happen if the government suddenly confirmed that it had concealed evidence of extraterrestrials: “If this truth were just known overnight…that would mess up a lot of people.” He added, “What does this do to the fundamental beliefs that many of us have? Is God our God only on this planet, or is God a God for every system where there’s civilization, intelligent life…?”

These are provocative questions. And Mr. Spielberg is not the only one making headlines about UFOs and the possibility of life on other planets.

What was once considered fringe or conspiratorial has in recent months popped up everywhere from the White House to the Catholic Church, as public fascination with unidentified anomalous phenomena—or UAPs, as the government calls them—has become more mainstream.

In May, the Pentagon began making large swaths of UFO files public with very little context, leaving curious sleuths to piece together their own interpretations. The dumps began just weeks after former President Barack Obama set off a media frenzy for stating in an interview that aliens are real, though he later tempered that take.

“Statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there’s life out there,” the former president, who made a surprise visit to the “Disclosure Day” set, posted on social media. “I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us. Really!”

Some religious adherents, as well as nonbelievers, maintain that the existence of life on other planets might undermine many faiths because it would complicate assertions that humans are unique. But others argue the opposite.

“Belief in UFOs is really one of the best things that’s happened to religion in a long time,” said Diana Walsh Pasulka, a religion scholar at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. “It’s a blow to the secular, materialist worldview.”

Whether one views the possibility of alien life as an impediment to religious belief or an asset, for Christians, the truth must be compatible with Scripture.

Familiar Fascination

The idea of otherworldly beings coming to Earth is nothing new.

“People would call it the plurality of worlds. So even back in the time of Socrates and Aristotle, there were Greek philosophers who talked about beings on other planets and other stars,” Ms. Walsh Pasulka said.

But it was not until after 1945 that modern conceptions of UFOs began to develop, according to Jeffrey Kripal, a historian of religions at Rice University. “The flying saucer and the alien and the UFO—it’s definitely a Cold War invasion narrative,” he said.

That narrative explains why UAPs are often perceived as hostile to humans. But it has also evolved over time and led to the formation of some religions—like Scientology, which counts many a Hollywood celebrity among its adherents—that see extraterrestrials as good or even part of a divine plan. Some adherents to the Nation of Islam, for example, believe that its founder will inaugurate an apocalyptic return to Earth on a spaceship.

Thousands of years ago, King Solomon wrote, “there is no new thing under the sun” (Ecc. 1:9). UFO fascination falls into this category. The underlying curiosity today is not that different from what people felt decades ago when they discussed rumors about Area 51 and flocked to movies like “Men in Black,” “Independence Day” and “War of the Worlds.”

Interest in aliens also evokes Acts 17:21, which speaks of people who “spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.” Some tend to be on the edge of their seats about every alleged sighting or new document dump. Maybe this time the right piece of smoking gun evidence will be released, they think. Undeniable proof never comes, yet there is a certain thrill in the chase.

The wide spectrum of views toward aliens and UFOs and their impact on religion can feel overwhelming. But Christians do not need to be confused. God has provided a firm anchor for answering life’s greatest questions: His Word, the Holy Bible.

Even if the truth of a specific news event appears to be murky, no alien discovery can overthrow Scripture. Jesus Christ said, “Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35). He also taught, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). The Bible reveals one God who created the entire universe, and the purpose He is carrying out within it.

Having this foundation means Christians do not need to be on edge for every UFO rumor, fearful it will shatter their belief system. They are confident that the Bible is true, and that the truth about alien life cannot break or overthrow it.

Does the Bible Teach Aliens?

Some Bible readers have wondered if Ezekiel chapter 1 in the Old Testament describes UFOs.

Take time to read the chapter. The prophet Ezekiel observed living creatures, wheels, brilliant light and an extraordinary structure moving through the sky. It can appear to fit modern concepts of alien spacecraft. Verse 15 identifies “living creatures” with “four faces.”

But notice that the last verse of the chapter shows that what had been described was “the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord” (vs. 28). It was depicting God on His throne and the angels surrounding it. Far from proof of green men from Mars or anything like that.

The beings described here are cherubim—powerful angelic beings associated with God’s throne. In chapter 10, Ezekiel says directly that the beings from the vision are cherubim: “And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar” (10:15). Also read verse 20.

Various other verses also speak of cherubim. For instance, II Samuel 22:11 says “He [God] rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and He was seen upon the wings of the wind.”

Read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation and you will find no proof of alien life.

Some may still ask: Even though the Bible does not say aliens exist, could life exist elsewhere in the universe?

Scripture does not directly address the topic. Yet it does reveal that God created all things (John 1:3; Rev. 4:11). If the knowledge of extraterrestrial life were important to God’s purpose for mankind, He would have revealed it.

What is important is the knowledge God has revealed—including a spirit realm that plays an important role in His purpose for human beings.

Angels are created beings who serve God (Psa. 103:20). They are much more powerful than most realize. The illustrations found in books and in churches do not do them justice. Scripture shows that angels play an important role in God working with human beings here on Earth.

There are also fallen angels—demons—in this spirit realm who serve Satan the devil. Ezekiel 28:14 shows Satan himself is a fallen angel, having previously been “the anointed cherub that covers.” Satan and the demons are not pursuing their own interests, either—like angels, they are focused on people.

II Corinthians 11:14 adds that the devil can appear to be something he is not: “Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” This principle would also apply to demons.

Some believe recent UFO sightings are really encounters with these fallen spirits.

“I don’t think they’re aliens. I think they’re demons,” Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic convert, said in a podcast interview.

That sentiment was echoed by Monsignor Stephen Rossetti, formerly an exorcist with the Archdiocese of Washington. He was removed in June by the archbishop, who said statements by Mr. Rossetti “gravely undermine” Catholic teaching on demons and the devil.

“It’s my personal belief that probably many, if not most, of these UFO sightings are in fact demons,” Mr. Rossetti said in a May 29 video posted on his Facebook page.

Thinking alien encounters are demonic could seem like a safer or more biblical position than that they are real aliens. Yet we should also be careful of believing every sighting is an evil spirit.

While it is possible this could be true in rare situations, not every unexplained light, object or noise is demonic. Many UAP reports have ordinary explanations—balloons, satellites, birds, aircraft or drones. Others remain unresolved simply because there is not enough reliable data to determine what was seen. An unexplained sighting is not necessarily a supernatural one.

More important than dissecting every document or sighting is understanding the very real spirit world Scripture reveals.

The Spirit Realm

Spirits in the spirit realm include God the Father, Jesus Christ, Satan the devil, and a multitude of angels, both righteous and fallen.

Some angels have greater authority than others, such as the archangels Gabriel and Michael. Satan was the archangel Lucifer before he rebelled against God.

Satan and the demons also interact with human beings—but to deceive and oppose God’s purpose.

Hebrews 1:14 says righteous angels are “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” Who are the heirs of salvation? Christians. Read Romans 8:17 and Titus 3:7.

Put simply, the role of angels is to help the people God is working with succeed and reach salvation.

We could not know this unless Scripture revealed it. Hebrews 13:2 adds, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” God could use an angel to help us and we have no idea what really happened. They can appear and work in a way that leaves people unaware.

Also understand that angels are not mindless tools. They really care about people. Luke 15:10 says, “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents.”

What goal do Satan and the demons have? Revelation 12:9 says the devil “deceives the whole world.” Satan and his demons deceive people into accepting lies and not believing the truth of the Bible. This deception could involve aliens and UFOs but also many other things in life.

I Timothy 4:1 speaks of a time when “some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils [demons].” The next few verses provide some specific examples of these doctrines. Demons have doctrines just like people and churches do. They use these teachings to harm and deceive.

The apostle John warned: “Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God” (I John 4:1). Unlike angels, Satan and the demons work to spiritually destroy Christians and keep them from fulfilling their incredible potential in God’s Plan.

The Bible also warns against admiring righteous angels to the point of worship. Colossians 2:18 says: “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels.” While angels do play a valuable role, God is the only Being a Christian may worship.

Where Should We Focus?

As time goes on, there will be more alleged UFO sightings, eyewitness accounts and document leaks. But the Bible shows what is really worth focusing on: “Seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:1-2).

Setting affection on things above does not mean obsessing over objects in the sky. It means focusing on God and His Plan instead of rumors and conspiracy.

Philippians 4:8 provides more parameters for what to think about: “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

While there is nothing wrong with keeping up with the news, we should be careful of how content about aliens makes us feel. If we find that it draws us toward negative thinking, we should adjust our news consumption.

There is a great irony in the obsession with aliens. People scan the heavens searching for intelligent beings greater than we are, but do not stop to consider the awesome future God has in store for ordinary people.

We saw that angels help the heirs of salvation. Psalm 8 adds more: “What is man, that You are mindful of him? And the son of man, that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and have crowned him with glory and honor” (vs. 4-5).

Today, people are “a little lower” than angels. But God has great glory and honor in store for humans.

Hebrews 2 quotes the same psalm and expands on it: “Unto the angels has He not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that You are mindful of him? Or the son of man, that You visit him? You [God] made him [man] a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor, and did set him over the works of Your hands: You have put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that He [God] put all in subjection under him [man], He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him” (vs. 5-8).

“All things” have not yet been put under man’s control. But that is the awesome future just ahead. Christians who receive salvation will be much more powerful than any angel or demon today. They will rule all things alongside God the Father and Jesus Christ. They will rule in the “world to come,” a responsibility that has not been offered to any angel.

Peter added: “Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you…which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into” (I Pet. 1:10, 12).

As powerful as angels are, they are not privileged to understand the Plan of God the way human beings can—the way you can.

To learn more, read The Awesome Potential of Man.

This article contains information from The Associated Press.