Viewpoint: Latest space probe deepens mystery of God and the universe
Published 12:42 pm Wednesday, September 9, 2026
By Dick Yarbrough / Syndicated Columnist
I don’t know about you, but my God is about to get even bigger and my theological beliefs even more challenging, thanks to Elon Musk. His company, SpaceX, has just launched a rocket with a telescope the size of a bus for NASA, headed more than 1 million miles away from Earth.
The $4.3 billion Roman Space Telescope, named after the late Nancy Grace Roman, NASA’s first chief astronomer, will have an unobstructed view of the universe at least 100 times larger than the Hubble Space Telescope, which was launched in 1990.
“It’s going to find thousands of supernovae, tens of thousands of planets, billions of galaxies, and tens of billions of stars,” said NASA science mission director Nicky Fox about Roman. “It’s going to be able to do things that we’ve never been able to do before with its massive field of view.”
Combined with the Webb Telescope launched in 2021, Hubble, and other observatories like the European Space Agency’s Euclid spacecraft and the National Science Foundation’s Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, these tools are set to probe even deeper into the universe. Enter God.
Our planet Earth is part of a solar system that includes the Sun, eight planets, five dwarf planets, hundreds of moons, and thousands of asteroids and comets. The Solar System is located in the Milky Way galaxy, which contains an estimated 100 to 400 billion stars and a similar number of planets. Scientists believe there are at least two trillion galaxies observable.
Now, with the Roman, Webb, and Hubble telescopes, we are told we have just scratched the cosmic surface. We are likely looking at trillions more galaxies and billions more planets within those galaxies. Back to my original question: Do we really think God is a one-planet God? (For the sake of clarity, I will not refer to God as “he.” God is God. I Am Who I Am.)
Interestingly, my previous column on this topic received a lot of feedback—none of it negative regarding the belief that the universe began with Adam and Eve. One of the most insightful comments came from a retired Baptist minister, Dr. P. Randall Wright, from Spartanburg, S.C., whom I plan to feature on my webpage: www.dickyarbrough.com.
Dr. Wright suggests that people of faith often divide into two groups: Guardians of Orthodoxy, who draw “theological lines in the sand,” and others who question those boundaries. He asks, who defines orthodoxy? A fundamentalist Baptist from Alabama? A liberal Episcopalian from Boston? You? Me?
Instead of being a guardian, Dr. Wright prefers to be a “Steward of the Mystery,” as the Apostle Paul encouraged the Corinthians. A Steward pays attention and asks questions, rather than protecting fixed beliefs out of fear.
That’s my stance, Dr. Wright. God has created a universe far beyond our understanding. Clearly, God is not a one-planet God.
Has it shaken my faith? No, but it has made me rethink it. Unlike many guardians of orthodoxy, I am open to stepping beyond established boundaries to ponder difficult questions and explore their answers. This openness may unsettle some, but I doubt God feels threatened by our inquisitiveness.
Dr. Wright notes, “Scientists often admit their limitations but continue searching, while some people of faith claim to have all the answers and challenge others to disagree.”
Remember, we reside among trillions of planets and stars, with new discoveries on the horizon. Our church has formed a study group for open discussions on God and the boundless universe. You might consider starting one too. God can handle it.
Dick Yarbrough can be reached at dick@dickyarbrough.com or at P.O. Box 725373, Atlanta, Georgia 31139.
