...this brings me back to John Paul II's theology of the body. The difference between John Paul's theological anthropology and the pitilessly consistent materialism of the transhumanists and their kith - and this is extremely important to grasp - is a difference not simply between two radically antagonistic visions of what it is to be a human being, but between two radically antagonistic visions of what it is to be a god.

There is, as it happens, nothing inherently wicked in the desire to become a god, at least not from the perspective of Christian tradition; and I would even say that if there is one element of the transhumanist creed that is not wholly contemptible - one isolated moment of innocence, however fleeting and imperfect - it is the earnestness with which it gives expression to this perfectly natural longing.

Theologically speaking, the proper destiny of human beings is to be "glorified" - or "divinized" - in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, to become "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4), to be called "gods" (Psalm 82:6; John 10:34-36).

Read it all.

Filed under: * Culture-Watch • Philosophy • Religion & Culture • * Religion News & Commentary • Other Churches • Roman Catholic • Other Faiths • * Theology • Anthropology • Apologetics

Registered members must log in to comment.