Page 35 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 13

Comment to

Transhumanism - Joey Cochran
USA) is a doctoral
The Great Danger candidate at Tri-
nity Evangelical
Divinity School
by Joey Cochran (USA) (TEDS) and an

adjunct profes-
Johannes Grössl has probed many of the vi- sor of history at
tal elements concerning the discussion regar- Trinity Christian
ding Transhumanism. He rightly directs us College. Joey is
to consider the ethical and political demands formerly the assistant director of the Jona-
that bear down on humanity as a result of than Edwards Center at TEDS and former-
Transhumanism’s flourishing. He also highlights ly an associate pastor at Calvary Memorial
the competitive impulse which Transhumanism Church in Oak Park. He is a fellow of the
engenders within individuals and nations, and Center for Pastor Theologians.
the enlarging inequalities, which will occur, if
universal access to human enhancement is not
made available. A humanistic and evolutiona- nism become achievable—enhancements that
ry worldview imbued with values of freedom extend life, vastly improve intellect, and check
and progress would inevitably birth a transhu- the passions, so one’s will conforms to a moral
manistic objective to harness mechanistic and norm set by society, will affect what we inter-
organic means in order to guide human self- pret Scripture says about the end of all things,
improvement. Of any worldview in existence heaven, hell and what we interpret Scriptu-
today, Transhumanism is positioned as the best re says about what it means to be human. For
handmaiden to globalization; it also has the instance, if life is extended indefinitely, what
power to integrate other philosophical and re- then is the significance of heaven or hell? If
ligious worldviews into its own system, permit- death has been circumvented, what then is the
ting pluralism while achieving worldview do- purpose of Christ’s death on the cross and the
minance. A coherent global worldview consen- doctrine of atonement? Furthermore, over the
sus could become integrated within this single longue durée of incremental human enhance-
system that aims to answer some of humanities ments, philosophers will have to eventually ask:
most troubling problems namely death, famine, Are we still human? And at what point have we
plague, and war. The allure of resolving these become Posthuman? You see, Transhumanism
fundamental human problems through techno- is not just writing a narrative of enhancing hu-
logical and biological means, thus makes Trans- manity; it might just be writing the narrative
humanism an appealing worldview to both pro- of humanity’s extinction. Transhumanism’s of-
mote and fund. Its continuity with enlightened fer of intellectual, performative, and emotional
rationalism and romanticism, while also having enhancements poses a need to address what
a “newness” free of baggage, the kind of baggage then becomes of the Creator/creature distinc-
that the Crusades gives to Christianity, curries tion? Perhaps most poignantly, the doctrine of
even more favor towards this worldview. It is theosis what God is by nature, man becomes by
apparent why so many see such potential within grace has to be reexamined in light of the achie-
this worldview system. vements of Transhumanism, if realized.

At the same time, this worldview’s values im- Dr. Grössl rightly asserts that public policy has
pinge upon and conflict with a Christian world- a difficult time keeping up with technological
view. Transhumanism will force Christians to advances. Theologians and churchmen, known
revisit fundamental doctrines of the Christian for their reflective posture, indeed, should parti-
Faith. Granted that the aims of Transhuma- cipate in the shaping of policy and reflect on the

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