Crop circles have captured the imagination and curiosity of many over the years. These strange circular designs and patterns that mysteriously appear overnight in fields of crops have led some to wonder if they have a supernatural or spiritual significance. But what does the Bible have to say about crop circles?
The Bible does not directly mention the phenomenon of crop circles as we know them today. Crop circles became widely known only in the late 20th century, mainly in southern England. The Bible was completed nearly 2,000 years ago, long before the modern concept of crop circles emerged.
However, the Bible does contain a few interesting passages that may relate tangentially to mysterious circles or designs appearing on the ground:
Manna from Heaven
In Exodus 16, God provided bread called manna for the Israelites in the wilderness. Manna mysteriously appeared on the ground every morning like a layer of dew. The Bible says the manna seemed “like coriander seed” (Exodus 16:31). While not a perfect match, this reference evokes the idea of something strange and unexplained happening on the ground.
Circles and Wheels
A few verses in Ezekiel contain visions which include references to mysterious wheel-like objects and circles. For example:
“As I looked, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, and a great cloud, with brightness around it, and fire flashing forth continually, and in the midst of the fire, as it were gleaming metal. And from the midst of it came the likeness of four living creatures….As for the likeness of their faces, each had a human face. The four had the face of a lion on the right side, the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and the four had the face of an eagle…. And their whole body, their rims, and their spokes, were full of eyes all around—the wheels that the four of them had.” (Ezekiel 1:4-5, 10, 18 ESV)
“Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me the voice of a great earthquake: ‘Blessed be the glory of the Lord from its place!’ It was the sound of the wings of the living creatures as they touched one another, and the sound of the wheels beside them, and the sound of a great earthquake.” (Ezekiel 3:12-13 ESV)
“And I looked, and behold, there were four wheels beside the cherubim, one beside each cherub, and the appearance of the wheels was like sparkling beryl.” (Ezekiel 10:9 ESV)
These mystifying wheels can be seen as having a broad similarity to crop circles in their geometric circular shapes and unexplained origins.
Signs and Symbols
Some believe crop circles may represent spiritual signs, mystical symbols, or harbingers of the end times. The Bible warns there will be many strange signs and occurrences before the return of Christ:
“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves.” (Luke 21:25 ESV)
“The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.” (Acts 2:20 ESV)
“For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” (Matthew 24:24 ESV)
While not directly linked to crop circles, these verses remind us to be alert and watchful of unusual signs and events that may have spiritual implications.
Supernatural Causes
Crop circles are often attributed to supernatural causes like ufos or paranormal forces. The Bible acknowledges there are intelligent beings in the spiritual realm like angels, demons, principalities and powers that could potentially manifest in our physical world (Ephesians 6:12). It also teaches God may choose to work in mysterious ways:
“For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37 ESV)
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9 ESV)
While directly attributing crop circles to supernatural or spiritual activity goes beyond what the Bible says, the verses above remind us there are mysteries in the spiritual world beyond our human understanding.
Hoaxes and Deception
Many crop circles have been shown to be man-made hoaxes and pranks. The Bible warns that deception will increase in the end times with many false signs and wonders:
“For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” (Matthew 24:5 NIV)
“The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 BSB)
These warnings remind us to approach alleged miracles and supernatural signs with discernment and wisdom, testing them against the truth of God’s Word (1 John 4:1).
Judgment for Sin
In the Bible, some instances of unexplainable phenomena on earth were judgments from God for people’s sin and rebellion against Him. For example:
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, on man and beast and every plant of the field, in the land of Egypt.’ Then Moses stretched out his staff toward heaven, and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down to the earth. And the Lord rained hail upon the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 9:22-23 ESV)
While there is no clear biblical reason to see crop circles specifically as judgments from God, these verses do illustrate God’s ability to manifest unusual phenomena on earth as He sees fit.
Testing spirits
Some crop circles contain spiritual or occult symbols, hidden messages, and mystical designs. However, the Bible tells us:
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1 NIV)
As with all supernatural signs and occurrences, we must filter them through the truth of Scripture, testing their origins and fruit to see if they align with God’s nature and His Word (Deuteronomy 18:21-22).
Occult Practices Forbidden
The Bible sternly warns against any involvement with occult practices like divination, witchcraft, spiritism or astrology:
“There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 18:10-12 ESV)
Some crop circles seem intended to invoke magical, mystical or supernatural powers outside of God’s blessing and authority. Christians should avoid having anything to do with such practices.
UFOs and Alien Life
Many crop circles are attributed to ufos or aliens. While the Bible does not specifically address alien life, it teaches several key points:
1) God created everything and holds all power in heaven and earth (Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:11). He does not share His glory with any other beings or entities.
2) While angels exist, the Bible gives no indication of “aliens” visiting earth as commonly depicted today. We are not to worship or serve created beings, only the Creator (Romans 1:25).
3) Jesus taught His followers to watch for His return from heaven, not visitations from creatures purporting to come from other planets (Acts 1:11).
Natural Explanations Possible
Many crop circles have been shown to be hoaxes. And some can be explained by natural causes like weather and wind patterns. The Bible teaches God often works through normal natural processes He created and set in motion (Jeremiah 5:24; Psalm 147:8). We should avoid discounting logical scientific explanations when available.
Exercise Caution and Discernment
When evaluating crop circles and other strange phenomena, the Bible advises wisdom, caution and sound judgment:
“The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.” (Proverbs 14:15 ESV)
“Examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21 NASB)
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” (1 John 4:1 ESV)
While intriguing, crop circles require careful biblical discernment rather than hasty conclusions.
Focus on God’s Truth
Amidst competing claims over crop circles, the Bible points us to God’s truth revealed in Scripture:
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105 ESV)
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16 ESV)
Rather than obsessing over crop circles, Christians should seek discernment from the Holy Spirit and focus on applying God’s Word to their lives.
Living Water vs. Empty Wells
Those pursuing spiritual truth in crop circles are looking in empty wells:
“For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.” (Jeremiah 2:13 ESV)
Only Jesus Christ provides the “living water” to satisfy our spiritual thirst eternally (John 4:10-14). Crop circles offer only speculation, not salvation.
Conclusion
In summary, while the Bible does not directly address crop circles, it provides wisdom and discernment for evaluating these strange phenomena. Christians should avoid occult involvement, test all spirits, be alert to deception and false signs, exercise caution in interpretation, focus on God’s Word rather than speculation, and find their fulfillment in Christ alone – “the fountain of living waters” (Jeremiah 2:13). Though intriguing, crop circles require biblical perspective and careful spiritual discernment.