Introduction: The Longing Behind the Theories
Paul Wallis is not a theologian. He is not an archaeologist. He is, however, a skilled narrator of doubt—a former Anglican priest turned ancient astronaut theorist whose videos and books reach millions. Wallis isn’t just selling speculation about aliens in the Bible—he’s offering an escape hatch from what he sees as the censorious control of church dogma.
And that’s precisely why people listen.
But what if we could take the real questions he’s asking—about missing texts, mysterious beings, heavenly wars—and re-anchor them in the very thing Wallis has left behind: the covenantal story of Israel?
This article explores where Paul Wallis goes wrong—and why his instinct that something deeper is going on in Scripture is, in fact, profoundly correct. Just not in the way he thinks.
Reading the Bible Like a UFOlogist: The Problem of Genre
Wallis’ Claim:
Ancient biblical texts contain encoded references to alien visitation, misunderstood by primitive people as “gods.”
Response:
This is a genre collapse. Prophecy, poetry, and apocalyptic literature are read as though they’re 20th-century crash site reports. Ezekiel’s throne vision (Ezekiel 1) becomes a flying saucer. The Nephilim become alien hybrids. But this imposes a literalist, post-industrial lens on ancient Semitic categories.
This is a genre collapse. Prophecy, poetry, and apocalyptic literature are read as though they’re 20th-century crash site reports. Ezekiel’s throne vision (Ezekiel 1) becomes a flying saucer. The Nephilim become alien hybrids. But this imposes a literalist, post-industrial lens on ancient Semitic categories.
Biblical Correction:
Ezekiel’s vision echoes the merkavah (chariot) tradition, a theophany rooted in Temple cosmology—not alien tech. The Nephilim episode in Genesis 6 reflects heavenly rebellion and boundary violation, not an extraterrestrial breeding program. In Jewish tradition, these are metaphysical transgressions, not sci-fi lore.
Ezekiel’s vision echoes the merkavah (chariot) tradition, a theophany rooted in Temple cosmology—not alien tech. The Nephilim episode in Genesis 6 reflects heavenly rebellion and boundary violation, not an extraterrestrial breeding program. In Jewish tradition, these are metaphysical transgressions, not sci-fi lore.
“Gods” in the Bible: Divine Council or Alien Council?
Wallis’ Claim:
The Bible refers to multiple “gods” (Elohim), suggesting a pantheon of extraterrestrial beings.
Wallis’ Claim:
The Bible refers to multiple “gods” (Elohim), suggesting a pantheon of extraterrestrial beings.
Response:
Wallis confuses ontological category with functional role. Yes, the Bible speaks of “Elohim” in the plural—but this includes God, angels, demons, and disembodied spirits. It’s a category of residence, not essence. Elohim dwell in the unseen realm.
Wallis confuses ontological category with functional role. Yes, the Bible speaks of “Elohim” in the plural—but this includes God, angels, demons, and disembodied spirits. It’s a category of residence, not essence. Elohim dwell in the unseen realm.
Biblical Correction:
Psalm 82 describes a divine council under the authority of the Most High. Deuteronomy 32:8–9 (LXX and DSS version) affirms God divided the nations among the sons of God, reserving Israel for Himself. This is a framework of delegated authority and judgment—not galactic federation politics.
Psalm 82 describes a divine council under the authority of the Most High. Deuteronomy 32:8–9 (LXX and DSS version) affirms God divided the nations among the sons of God, reserving Israel for Himself. This is a framework of delegated authority and judgment—not galactic federation politics.
Censored Texts and Hidden Agendas? Or Oracular Tradition and Midrash?
Wallis’ Claim:
Church authorities have censored the Bible, removing key books and truths—especially those that reveal alien involvement.
Wallis’ Claim:
Church authorities have censored the Bible, removing key books and truths—especially those that reveal alien involvement.
Response:
This is conspiracy theology, not historical theology. While canon debates did exist, they were not about aliens. The process of canonization was shaped by usage, apostolicity, and coherence within the covenantal story.
This is conspiracy theology, not historical theology. While canon debates did exist, they were not about aliens. The process of canonization was shaped by usage, apostolicity, and coherence within the covenantal story.
Biblical Correction:
The so-called “lost books” (e.g., Enoch, Jubilees) were never part of the Hebrew canon but were preserved in Jewish and Ethiopian traditions. Their value lies in their context—not in being literal field reports of alien contact. They extend the imagination of the biblical world, not replace it.
The so-called “lost books” (e.g., Enoch, Jubilees) were never part of the Hebrew canon but were preserved in Jewish and Ethiopian traditions. Their value lies in their context—not in being literal field reports of alien contact. They extend the imagination of the biblical world, not replace it.
Jesus: Avatar of the Sky Beings? Or the Sar haPanim?
Wallis’ Claim:
Jesus may have been a messenger or incarnation of the same advanced beings involved in Genesis.
Wallis’ Claim:
Jesus may have been a messenger or incarnation of the same advanced beings involved in Genesis.
Response:
This erases covenant, Messiah, and incarnation, replacing them with Gnostic mystification. Wallis wants a cosmic Jesus detached from Jewish history and prophetic expectation.
This erases covenant, Messiah, and incarnation, replacing them with Gnostic mystification. Wallis wants a cosmic Jesus detached from Jewish history and prophetic expectation.
Biblical Correction:
Jesus is not a hybrid sky being. He is the Sar haPanim—the Prince of the Presence—who fulfills the oracles of Israel. He is the Second Adam, not the first alien. He brings reconciliation through covenant blood, not cosmic DNA.
Jesus is not a hybrid sky being. He is the Sar haPanim—the Prince of the Presence—who fulfills the oracles of Israel. He is the Second Adam, not the first alien. He brings reconciliation through covenant blood, not cosmic DNA.
Why Their Questions Still Matter
Despite his misreadings, Wallis is onto something: the Bible is stranger, bigger, and more cosmic than most churchgoers realize. That’s why people are drawn to him.
But rather than leaving the Bible for fantasy, we need to recover:
• The angelic hierarchies of Jewish tradition
• The metaphysical rebellion that underlies Genesis 6
• The deeper meaning of “gods” and watchers in biblical cosmology
• The trajectory from Eden to Zion, not from Earth to Orion
Despite his misreadings, Wallis is onto something: the Bible is stranger, bigger, and more cosmic than most churchgoers realize. That’s why people are drawn to him.
But rather than leaving the Bible for fantasy, we need to recover:
• The angelic hierarchies of Jewish tradition
• The metaphysical rebellion that underlies Genesis 6
• The deeper meaning of “gods” and watchers in biblical cosmology
• The trajectory from Eden to Zion, not from Earth to Orion
Conclusion: From Techno-Myth to True Theophany
Paul Wallis has created a mythology of mistrust. But the true biblical story is more enchanted, more terrifying, and more beautiful than anything he proposes. Not because of aliens—but because God is speaking, still, through a people He has never abandoned.
Paul Wallis has created a mythology of mistrust. But the true biblical story is more enchanted, more terrifying, and more beautiful than anything he proposes. Not because of aliens—but because God is speaking, still, through a people He has never abandoned.
And the witnesses are still here.
