Christian Perspectives on Transhumanism and the Church [electronic resource] : Chips in the Brain, Immortality, and the World of Tomorrow /
Donaldson, Steve.editor.
Cole-Turner, Ron.editor.
Christians have always been concerned with enhancement—now they are faced with significant questions about how technology can help or harm genuine spiritual transformation. What makes traditional and technological enhancement different from each other? Are there theological insights and spiritual practices that can help Christians face the challenge of living in a technological world without being dangerously conformed to its values? This book calls on Christians to understand and engage the deep issues facing the church in a technological, transhumanist future.
1. Why the Church Should Pay Attention to Transhumanism -- 2. From Lamech to Bezalel: Biblical Reflections on the Polyvalence of “Technology” -- 3. Dragons and Dog-Headed Saints: Some Medieval Perspectives on the Significance of the Human Form -- 4. “When That Which Is Perfect Is Come”: Henry Drummond and “The Changed Life” -- 5. Christianity’s Rigged Debate with Transhumanism -- 6. The Imago Dei and the Imago Mundi -- 7. Nietzsche’s Power Ontology and Transhumanism: Or Why Christians Cannot Be Transhumanists -- 8. The Failed Fictions of Transhumanism -- 9. Do Bigger Brains Mean Smaller Gods? Cognitive Science and Theological Perspectives on Transhumanism and the Church (or, Why We Can’t Outrun Faith) -- 10. Will the Transhuman Future be Good or Bad for Humanity? -- 11. Origin Stories: Superheroes, Cyborgs, Artificial Intelligences (and Other Humans and Posthumans) -- 12. Even Cyborgs Cast a Shadow: Christian Resources and Responsibilities in Response to Transhumanism -- 13. Rivalry, Control, and Transhumanist Desire -- 14. The Church: Bigger Bangs are Coming -- 15. People of Vision, Communities of Discernment. .
Christians have always been concerned with enhancement—now they are faced with significant questions about how technology can help or harm genuine spiritual transformation. What makes traditional and technological enhancement different from each other? Are there theological insights and spiritual practices that can help Christians face the challenge of living in a technological world without being dangerously conformed to its values? This book calls on Christians to understand and engage the deep issues facing the church in a technological, transhumanist future.
Religion and sociology.
Religion.
Philosophy.
Religion and Society.
Popular Science in Religious Studies.
Philosophy of Technology.