The False Hope Of Transhumanism

There is a lie being perpetrated around the globe today that science and technology will eventually achieve eternal life by way of computer enhanced bodies. This idea is called Trans-Humanism. I was first introduced to this about 12 years ago when I read Raymond Kurzwell’s book The Age Of Spiritual Machines. In a sense he is the true godfather of this popular and well-funded movement.

Transhumanist Zoltan Istvan wrote this for the Huffington Post May 10, 2014. “Despite its growing popularity, many people around the world still don’t know what “transhuman” means. Transhuman literally means beyond human. Transhumanists consist of life extensionists, techno-optimists, Singularitarians, biohackers, roboticists, AI proponents, and futurists who embrace radical science and technology to improve the human condition. The most important aim for many transhumanists is to overcome human mortality, a goal some believe is achievable by 2045.”

My opinion is that these ideals are perpetuated and enhanced by two main driving forces. The fear of death mixed with an Evolutionist Worldview. Both are in opposition to God and His Son Jesus Christ who is the creator and “the life”.

Healthy Technology Perspective: The world of science and technology is an exciting world, especially in the area of computer science and information. At this point I am really out on a limb and do not want to give the false impression that I am an expert in the tech world. Like most people I like the idea and the benefits of technological advancement. It is the God inspired thoughts that bring these ideas into the consciousness of man. But whenever hope itself is promised outside of the inspiration, plans and purposes of God, then it has crossed the line into deception. In a nutshell technological advance in science and medicine is good. But! Computer enhanced bodies for the sole purpose of overcoming mortality without redemption is not good.

I am not saying pacemakers and prosthetics are bad. This area of medical research and development is a huge blessing to humanity. I am talking specifically about the philosophical and theological emphasis that has been placed on the tech/medical world by people like Raymond Kurzwell and many other high profile scientists, developers and engineers. They believe technology is the path to eternal life. This is a deceptive theory and a false hope. Raymond Kurzwell describes it as the “Exponential progress of an evolutionary process that goes on forever.” (Kurzwell’s afore mentioned book page 39) Kurzwell sees Trans-Humanism as the next big transition phase of the evolutionary process. Just like a slug crawling out of the ocean and growing legs or a lizard developing wings to fly, so it is with the theory that tiny motorized computers can be inserted into the body that are able to repair or replace vital organs with the capability of being updated just like your computer software. These guys are modern day Dr. Frankenstein’s.

The Coming Supernatural Metamorphosis: I hate the word Rapture because of the baggage that comes with it. There is a plethora of books and movies that have distorted and misrepresented this potential beautiful mystery. I want to develop a new lens to view this idea. In light of the Transhumanist/Frankenstein movement that is growing by leaps and bounds we must re-examine the biblical narrative of mortal bodies becoming immortal without dying. Yes, the ever-so-controversial Rapture.

Most Rapture enthusiasts have destroyed the potential beauty of this coming supernatural phenomenon with inaccurate descriptions of what actually happens. Without question the Rapture has been spun the wrong direction. For clarity sake when I talk about the Rapture I am referring to a future supernatural instant mass-metamorphosis of our earthly bodies into heavenly bodies just like Jesus resurrected body. His mortality put on immortality and so will the church, instantly. 1 John 3:2, Beloved, now we are children of God. It is not yet revealed what we will be; but we know that when he is revealed, we will be like him.

I view this as an important component of Christian life and future hope. Many "Revivalists" have shied away from this theology because of their claim that a defeatist/escapist mindset is what drives a believer to long for this wonderful hope. I have come to realize and believe that when placed in its proper context the idea of a supernatural metamorphosis of the entire church instantaneously from a mortal body to an immortal body could very well be the ultimate victory and triumph of the church once and for all destroying the ultimate work of the devil, death. Jesus came to "destroy the works of the devil".

I personally dont think that our being "caught up" happens at the same time we are transformed to our incorruptible bodies as described below. Just like Jesus remained on earth after His body was glorified so can we. It is in this immortal state of being that the Body of Christ will finish our work on earth, and then we are will be caught up. Just like Jesus!

"And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight." Acts 1:9

When the Apostle Paul wrote about our resurrected bodies he describes a terrestrial-to-celestial metamorphosis. Then he drops a bomb in verse 51. He says, 1st Corinthians 15:51-58, Behold I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. For this perishable body must become imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable body will have become imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then what is written will happen: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “Death, where is your sting? Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Paul refers to this as a mass transition and then adding strength to this revelation he wrote.

First Thessalonians 4:13-17, But we don’t want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don’t grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first, 17 then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever.

My theory is that the living/remaining people of God at the time of the "rapture" may already be in their (our) glorified bodies. There is no question in my mind that Paul partially unveiled a future mystery that has yet to unfold. He speaks clear and simple about the “dead in Christ” rising and those who are “alive” being caught up “together” but it is not clear what state the alive-remaining believers will be in.. To make it simpler, the dead in Christ and the not-dead in Christ are instantly "caught up" at the same event and at the exact same moment. But the not-dead-in Christ may have been already transformed into immortality carrying out Christs mission on earth in the very last of day. An unstoppable, un-killable super-saint evangelizing the globe prior to Christ return. This is a sound and credible theory for the church to consider and the subject of Trans-Humanism reminds me why.

Death Is Not Our Savior: If a believer in Jesus adheres to a supernatural Christian lifestyle and we set are hearts towards healing, deliverance, signs and wonders and resurrection of the dead, then why would we not want to embrace the idea that it is possible that one day the church will overcome the sting of death totally,... before we die? Why would we say nothing is impossible and then turn right around and say that the entire church can never be instantly transferred into an immortal state before the final return of Jesus? Elijah and Enoch are two cases in bible history of men who never died in a traditional sense. Instead they were caught up into heaven and their mortal bodies put on immortality. I want to suggest that their mortal bodies passed through the death and resurrection process in warp speed so-to-speak as they became instantly clothed in their immortality.

The Christian life is not supposed to be focused on life after death. We have an eternal perspective that includes a kingdom that is already at hand, present and within reach. We are supposed to be pressing into the reality of eternal life. Jesus taught and demonstrated the reality that the Kingdom of Heaven is presently in our midst. And then He took upon Himself the death sentence of all humanity. Our entire faith structure is built on the resurrection where Jesus died for us and as us. According to scripture believers in Jesus have been crucified with Christ.

After the fall of man in Eden humanity became subjected to the curse of death. But we only have to die once. Therefore I could make a good and solid biblical case that death for every human being is not inevitable. Christ took the penalty of death Himself and nailed it to the cross. And the final and ultimate victory of the Church could very possibly be victory over death itself. This could be the "mystery" Paul referred to.

Hebrews 9:27-28, Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this, judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, without sin, to those who are eagerly waiting for him for salvation.

Consider this also: It is a prophetic fact that not every human being will die. When Jesus Christ returns millions of people will be alive in the world and will literally walk into the next millennium having never tasted the sting of death, even if they aren’t saved. What! Yes that’s what I said. When Jesus returns He is not going to condemn every unsaved person to hell. Why would He? They are still alive and breathing. Jesus is a mass redeemer not a mass murderer. In essence those who qualify for condemnation at His return are condemned already. God did not send His Son to the world to condemn the world. See John 3:17-18.

Notice in the following scripture selection about the return of Jesus the only people who are guaranteed judgment are those who have willingly aligned and committed themselves to the “Beast”.

Revelation 14:9-11, Another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a great voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead, or on his hand, 10 he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared unmixed in the cup of his anger. He will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 The smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. They have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.

Notice that the Angel warns “anyone who worships the beast and his image”. Without getting into who or what the Beast may or may not be I want to highlight the fact that this passage of scripture seems to leave the door wide open for what I will call the spiritually unclaimed. They may not be followers of Jesus but they don’t “worship the Beast or his image” either. This would include the unreached, the mentally handicapped, the unborn, those in a coma and those who have been bullied into their current faith system but have not actually committed their hearts or their will. Think about places like North Korea. If North Korea is still under communist oppression at the return of Jesus do you honestly think Jesus will judge every person who has not yet come to know Him,? Of course not?

This doesn’t nullify the cross. It gives millions more people a chance to embrace it. This is why the one thousand year pre "new heaven and new earth" kingdom is essential. It provides a space for the spiritually unclaimed and their progeny to come to Christ of their own free will. Therefore I suggest that the return of Jesus Christ does not automatically eliminate hope for the unsaved, but rather enhances it provided they have not given themselves already to the beast of antichrist, whoever or whatever it is. They will be given an opportunity to get to know Jesus during His one thousand year kingdom on this earth. And if they fall in love with Jesus they will be saved. If not, they too will be judged. And according to scripture some in the Millennium will reject Him and die in their sin doomed to hell for all of eternity. (See Revelation 20:7-10) Therefore I conclude physical death for every human being is not inevitable, and, not all of "un-saved" humanity will be judged to death at the return of Jesus. The bible supports the exact opposite.

Back To Transhumanism: The Transhumanist movement is Satan’s campaign to manipulate the desire of humans to live forever. Instinctively we know that death is wrong. Satan is offering a counterfeit plan using mans own God given ability to hope and dream of life eternal and a better future. The technology world is founded on dreaming and creating with a culture that breeds innovation. Advancement in the area of medical breakthrough is causing many scientists to imagine beyond ethics and morals allowing the ends to justify the means.

Our only eternal hope is Jesus. And the death of sin in us is the only mandatory death. All other death is the curse that has, is and will be ultimately overcome.