God, persons and machines: theological reflections
Brian Edgar, May 2010.

Author

Brian Edgar, Professor of Theological Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary, and Fellow of ISCAST.

Abstract

The desire to transcend the limitations of human nature along with the development of new biological technologies, nanotechnology and an increasing understanding of genetics is transforming the human person and leading towards the development of cyborgs. The process of merging the mechanical with the biological has begun, the re-creation of the self is underway and the future holds even more changes in store. A symbiotic relationship between humanity and machinery already exists. There is now a debate between trans-humanists who are looking towards a shift in human nature, perhaps moving towards a post-human condition and bio-conservatives who see trans-human initiatives as nothing other than de-humanising. In developing a theologically appropriate attitude towards these changes there are three important issues relating to the nature and action of God and the nature of humanity which have to be resolved. The first issue concerns the value of the various orders and structures of the natural world, the species and kingdoms and other previously impenetrable barriers which exist within in the natural world between various forms of life. To what extent are these appropriately blurred or overcome? The second concerns the nature of God's action in the world, the role that humanity plays in representing God and the appropriateness of understanding humanity as co-creators or, preferably, as pro-creators with God. The third concerns the meaning and status of human nature and the limits to our future human-controlled evolutionary development.

Key words

Future, technology, theology, cyborgs, genetics, DNA computing, nature, humanity, co-creators, pro-creators, transhumanism, divine action.
 

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