I recently reviewed Jacob Shatzer’s, Transhumanism and the Image of God, for Pneuma journal. It’s an important read for Christian leaders for a number of reasons. I can’t post that fuller review here, but will highlight some take-aways to perhaps pique reader interest.

Technology and Transhumanism

First, Transhumanism is a philosophical movement and ideology. It is a worldview, argues Shatzer, that holds a highly optimistic view of human progress. But the ongoing progression involves the freedom to integrate tools of technology, especially digital forms, into the process of human enhancement and development.

Second, for Transhumanists technology is viewed as an indispensable tool for human advancement, and humans have a right to unrestricted use of technology. This includes the right to modify one’s body or even brain using technology. Tech-integration allows not only for new ways to experience reality (through virtual and augmented reality), but holds potential to redefine and create new realities. Transhumanists celebrate the idea that we might one day be free to either clone or upload our minds onto non-biological substrates. In other words, maybe being biological is not necessary to being human after all, and perhaps a decent hard drive or advanced robotic body will suit us better.

Third, all use of technology shapes the user in some way. This is one of Shatzer’s key points in the book. Every technology has a purpose, a goal, whether hammer or smartphone. Further, no technology is neutral. Using any technology means giving up something else (i.e., the ability to be free of the goals of given technology). If I use a hammer often, I tend to, as the saying goes, begin to see everything as a nail. Likewise, with smartphone in hand, everything becomes potential for a possible social media post, and I need to evaluate whether to do so or not. The tool in hand changes my focus to follow its functional purpose.

Fourth, uncritical use of technology  tacitly leads humans to adopt the values and expectations of Transhumanism. Regular and uncritical use of technology will, over time, inevitably conform the user towards serving the purposes of the tool. And, whether I have heard the term or philosophy of “Transhumanism” or not, repetitive use of technology will shape my desires and beliefs toward being more open to transhumanist ideology.

Shatzer has a lot more to say about Transhumanism and the impact of digital technologies, but the above points stand out as highlights for me. In light of the above, we should make the effort to reflect more critically concerning our use of technology (and how it uses us). For Christians, it should lead us to evaluate how our personal and church lives are being shaped by our engagement with various technologies. A current example might help.

Virtual Bed Church

Right now we are learning how to live within the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic health protocols, including physical distancing and (until very recently) the inability to gather together for corporate worship. Churches have done a lot of work to make virtual gatherings possible through use of video technologies. While this situation has led some to long all the more for reuniting in person, the experience of being able to meet virtually has also impacted expectations and possibilities.

Many are now used to virtual social interaction. And whereas four months ago, we might not have considered such to be a practically acceptable way to gather for worship, now we at least know we can do it, and perhaps even weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each delivery method more pragmatically (does this “work” for immediate ends?) than theologically (is this working for long-term ends revealed in Scripture?).

After all, virtual worship doesn’t even demand I get out of bed! (Or so I’ve heard 😁.) While that helps, say, with overcoming the immediate discomfort barrier of having to get myself to a gathering where I might need to interact with not only friends but strangers, is bed worship the best venue for helping me become more a part of the corporate temple of the Spirit being built by Jesus (1 Cor 3:16)? (Rhetorical question. Answer most likely “NO.”)

Embodied Worship

Christian worship should always aim to be embodied worship as much as possible, for at least a couple of reasons. First, humans are created as flesh, and of the dust (meaning mortal in biology). This was God’s choice; he didn’t need to make us out of meat, but he did. Second, Jesus comes as the Son of God incarnate. Literally also enfleshed and made out of meat. Further, he currently reigns as risen Lord in the flesh. God has chosen to bond himself to the human race with our biological substrate.

The purposeful biological nature of humans should encourage us to be mindful as we engage with digital technologies in corporate worship. This is not to negate the usefulness of virtual technology for worship in special circumstances, such as connecting with those unable to participate in person with the congregation due to physical disabilities. But it does mean that the move towards virtual connection should remain an exception rather than merely an equally acceptable alternative.

Mindful Technology

I commend Shatzer’s book to Christian leaders. It will help us become more fluent in the cultural “language” of technology, along with the need to be more mindful of how we’re already being shaped by the technological tools we use. In turn, this should assist us in discerning when and how to implement technologies into our Christian worship and discipleship.