Reasons to Believe: Newsletter (2021), May/June, Reasons to Believe, Covina, California.
On the back page (4), there is an article titled:
Will Brain Implants Provide The Means For Our Salvation?
By Fazale "Fuz" Rana.
The article explains that in 2016, Elon Musk, helped to found Neuralink. (4) This is a company that is attempting to build a neural implant 'that can sync with the human brain.' (4). These types of implants are known as developments in 'brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. (4).
It is suggested that such technology might 'alleviate the pain and suffering associated with neuromuscular disease, brain and spinal cord injuries, loss of limbs, and many other afflictions.' (4)
It might 'mitigate pain and suffering' and be a form of human progress, which the article supports (4), and I would be in agreement.
The author then opines that transhumanists desire to create a utopia through science and technology. (4). Transhumanism could be reasoned out as a 'techno faith' of sorts. (4).
It is then asked if (paraphrased) transhumanism and this type of BCI and related technology, could 'present a counterfeit salvation?' (4).
I reason that technology when helpful to humanity should be embraced, but that true, full, complete, human salvation, as spiritual and physical in nature, requires the work of the infinite, eternal, God that is spirit (John 4: 24). God created all finite reality (Genesis 1, Colossians 1). Salvation was provided by God incarnate, God the Son, Jesus Christ and his atoning and resurrection work, in his death and resurrection, applied to believers.
Edited from original
Science has made discoveries that have assisted humanity, (Krikorian (1944)(2007: 1)) and has at the same time, helped persons understand many realities. Krikorian (1944)(2007: 1). My Reformed theological and worldview perspective deduces that human corruption cannot be entirely corrected scientifically, but human beings are changed permanently to avoid evil only by the completed regeneration work of God. Murray (1937-1966)(1977: 172). Erickson (1994: 1228). Packer (1996: 924). Mounce (1990: 394). This completed post-mortem (Revelation 20-22). Human suffering is only ended, ultimately, through this applied work of Jesus Christ.
In other words, divine supernatural assistance is required to overcome evil.
I reason that scientific progress has helped humanity tremendously to live better quality lives, (Krikorian (1944)(2007: 1)), but human beings are capable of committing as grotesque and intense evils as ever in the twenty-first century. For example, nuclear technology has made nuclear weapons possible since the 1940s and there are nuclear weapons in the world which can do tremendous damage to humanity on a large scale within a few hours.
This is so, in my view, because scientific knowledge has not as of yet, been able to change the essential nature of human beings.
Even if science could perfect the physical nature of persons to avoid evil actions, assuming for the sake of argument human beings have a spirit+, it needs to be considered if materially based science could perfect the human spirit as well to avoid all wrong actions. This would appear doubtful. Simultaneously, human suffering would not end.
Philosophy and theology have assisted human beings throughout history to better understand life (Scudder (1940: 247)), but neither of these disciplines can provide a remedy to the problem of evil (Henry (1983: 282). Blocher (1994: 84)).
However, philosophy (philosophy of religion, in particular) and theology with biblical studies, can help to explain evil and suffering through effective theodicy. Scudder (1940: 247). Theodicy can and should, when done properly, adequately explain that the applied gospel work of Jesus Christ for those that believe, is the ultimate, remedy to problems of evil. As noted, ultimately completed, post-mortem.
+ Genesis 2:7. H.L. Ellison (1986) explains that in the Old Testament breath or spirit came from God and provided life and individuality.
BLOCHER, HENRI. (1994) Evil and the Cross, Translated by David G. Preston, Leicester, InterVarsity Press.
ELLISON, H.L. (1986) ‘Matthew’, in F.F. Bruce (ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
ERICKSON, MILLARD (2003) What Does God Know and When Does He Know It?, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
HENRY, CARL (1983) God, Revelation and Authority: Volume 6: God Who Stands and Stays, Waco, Word Books.
KRIKORIAN, Y. (1944)(2007) (ed.), ‘Naturalism and the Human Spirit’, New York, Columbia University Press, in Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University. http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/naturalism/
MURRAY, JOHN (1937-1966)(1977) Collected Writings of John Murray, Vol. 2: Select Lectures in Systematic Theology, Edinburgh, The Banner of Truth Trust.
MOUNCE, ROBERT H. (1990) The Book of Revelation, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
MOUNCE, ROBERT H. (1995) The New American Commentary: Romans, Nashville, Broadman & Holman Publishers.
PACKER, J.I. (1973) Knowing God, Downers Grove, Illinois, InterVarsity Press.
PACKER, J.I. (1996) ‘Regeneration’ in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books.
SCUDDER, DELTON, LEWIS (1940) Tennant’s Philosophical Theology, London, Oxford University Press.
Cited from Sean A. Hays
'Transhumanism, social and philosophical movement devoted to promoting the research and development of robust human-enhancement technologies.'
More on transhumanism from the same source, that I also reviewed.
