TRANSHUMANISM AND THE KENOSIS

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

Much has been written and continues to be reported on the modern-day phenomenon called transhumanism. Transhumanism is a fairly new term, defined as the use of science and technology to overcome human limitations and improve the human condition. Interestingly, a recent tech article reported that mankind will soon be able to “overtake a mouse brain” (a comforting thought!), and that by the year 2025 all or part of our minds will be controlled by a computer.

Our need and desire to improve society and our individual lot in life is a laudable ambition, as well as a divine command---the Dominion Mandate was given to our first parents in the garden (Genesis 1:26-28). But it’s important to understand that invention and improvement can only go so far, mainly because of our own human limitations. God in His wisdom and mercy puts limits on us. Simply stated, there is knowledge our Creator doesn’t want us to have and places He doesn’t want us to go. Why? Because He’s God and we aren’t.

The Lord Jesus Christ is God (John 1:1; Colossians 1:15). He was born of a virgin into a world of sin and yet He was without sin (1 John 3:5). Kenosis is a theological word to describe how Jesus became man (Philippians 2:5-11); taken from the Greek verb “kenoo” in verse 7 meaning to empty. Jesus became all man, but never laid aside His divinity (Luke 22:70; John 10:30). He willingly laid down all vestiges of reputation to become our sacrifice.

God never changes (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8), yet He is the ultimate change agent. He wants to transform our thinking (Romans 12:1-2), and one day He will change our sinful bodies into our immortal bodies in heaven (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). But none of this could ever happen had He never came to live with us. No one knows how far God will allow humanity to advance into areas outside our realm of understanding or control. But for us---Praise the Lord, He became like us in order for us to become like Him. Think about it.