Redeeming the Future: Exploring the Theological Implications of Transhumanism in Missions

Abstract

Advanced technological innovations changed every aspect of human life, including humanity’s hope for the future. Current enhancements through technology predicted what would happen as humans found ways to increase lifespans, heal diseases, and lead humanity to breach some biological limitations. Transhumanism was the hope that humans had not ended their evolution and that technology could help with more enhancements. Such enhancements included uploading the human mind into computer systems and enabling people to live virtually. The Church responded to transhumanist people and contexts and the possibility of reaching a posthumanism phase in humanity. The challenges for the church were establishing a theology to help people deal with technological innovations and examining the morality of transhumanists. The church also challenged the notion of a transhumanism religion and how transhumanists relied on technology for transformation while Christians rely on Christ for redemption and renewal of their minds and the salvation of their souls. This article suggests that the church has to be at the forefront to guide people in the coming days on the dangers of worshipping technology and viewing it as a creator instead of a as a useful tool at humanity’s disposal. It also explores theological discussions along posthumanism lines that could help people understand the human-technology relationship and how to use it for maximum benefits. A literature review was used in this study involving researching, reading, analyzing, evaluating, and summarizing scholarly literature typically from journals and articles about this specific topic on the issue of transhumanism in Church missions.