There has been much chatter lately about AI and the future of humanity. Some fear AI will destroy humanity. Others suggest and even hope that humans and AI may meld in some way to generate a gigantic leap in intelligence and human possibility, even immortality. There’s a religious aspect to these views, of both the fearful and the hopeful, though perhaps not recognized by all concerned.
After all, a religion is simply a system to organize principles and ideas about origin, meaning, morality, and destiny. If you accept that definition, then theists and atheists are both religious – just embracing a different set of heresies and orthodoxies.
For example, wouldn’t you agree that the prominent atheist Richard Dawkins is an extremely religious man? I would say he has an amazing faith. And he appears to have more conviction about his religion than I have for Christ. He writes books and travels the world giving speeches and engaging in debates about his religion. But I respectfully submit that the reasons for his faith are actually weaker than mine. He has made a greater leap of faith then me. [1]
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is an article of faith for me, but not an act of faith. It’s an article because Christianity is invalid and cruel without the Resurrection: we would still be in our sins and doomed to death, and Jesus would be either a liar or a lunatic. And His followers would be living and promoting a lie. The so-called “new atheists” are famous for saying that religion is not only wrong, but that it is evil. If the Resurrection did not happen, I would agree, that Christianity would be an evil and cruel hoax.
The Resurrection is not an act of faith, because it’s an historical fact. [2] Put another way, the past is seen and so it is not of faith; faith is placed upon the unseen in the future. [3] Faith is my belief and conviction, more than that, my knowledge, that He will resurrect me. That’s right: “knowledge”. Jesus made the claim many times that we can indeed know God the Father, and His Son, and His Spirit. [4] I have faith in him and I trust Him, because He has shown Himself to be trustworthy.
Someone recently remarked to others in a social setting about my “imaginary friend.” My response was there is nothing imaginary about my friend; it is a fact He rose from the dead, and therefore He is alive today, and He beckons all men everywhere to come to Him.
The Bible explains that our next step will go in quite a different direction from what Darwin’s theory or AI religionists or folks like Dawkins might believe or lead one to expect; so, not bigger or stronger or smarter or more psychic.
There are more differences in kind, expanse and time. First of all, in kind, this next step is not a Darwinian increment in our physical or mental or psychic or emotional powers. I am not sure I would even call it spiritual. Yes, there is a spiritual component, for sure, but there is also at its core, a very physical component – underscored by The Resurrection.
In expanse, it’s not a step that all of humanity will take, though it’s freely offered to all, and that means to you, yes, to you my dear friend.
And, in time, it’s not a new step at all – it’s a step that has already begun long ago. Millions of humans have already taken this step, predating the time of Abraham – the father of Judaism, Islam and Christianity.
So, it’s not actually a step or a leap in the sense one might think. Jesus described it as a rebirth. Indeed, it’s articulated in the Bible quite plainly as “a new creation”, for both the person of faith in Christ, as well as the earth, and perhaps even the universe.
You see, Jesus is the first man to undergo this transformation. Christ is the new man with a totally new type of body. The Biblical view of heaven is not populated by disembodied spirits in a Platonic or gnostic state. It is body and soul joined in a state of perfection with God, in a physical world, enjoying Him forever. In the Bible Christ is called the “second Adam” – the prototype for the new humanity. Much more than a prototype, He is the source of this new humanity. All those who follow Him will be modeled upon Him, more than that, they are in Him. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” [5]
But, it’s actually even more than that! It’s a radical transformation that begins now, in this life, in our spirit, heart and mind. Jesus called it the “abundant life”, but I fear many Christians don’t understand this, and miss it. They are waiting to die.
Occasionally, we get a glimpse of a person who really gets it, or maybe better said, a person who God really gets a hold of. Their life on earth is marked by radical generosity, kindness, love, joy, humility and courage – and the beauty is they don’t even know it! They have full reign of their intellectual and emotional capacities, but have literally lost themselves in Him, and gained the life He intended for them to possess, that He desires we all possess.[6] They stride fearlessly and humbly through the valley of the shadow of death, because He is with them.[7] But at their very best, these amazing creatures we might call saints are a dim refection of Christ.
The Jesus we read about in the Bible “is the same yesterday, today and forever.” [8] He has risen, and He is alive and active today and forever. He extended his arms on the cross and He extends them to you now. It is He we worship on this glorious Easter 2023.
The Bible ends with the words of the Risen Christ and a benediction by John:
“Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. [Revelation 22:20-21]
Footnotes
- There is a long list here and many sources of how Christianity fits the world we observe better than any other religion, philosophy or system of thought. Please see, e.g, “The Reason for God” by Tim Keller. Here are a few items: (1) The origin of the universe, its fine tuning, its intelligibility and order, and awesome splendor, (2) the nature of man and evil in the world, (3) my conscience and yours, that we know what we ought to do but fail to do it, (4) Human rights and human values, (5) the beauty of a small child in joyful play, (6) the incredible wonder of my amazing wife and how she is perfectly fitted for me in every way imaginable, …
- There is long list here too – for the historicity of the Resurrection. We devoted our Easter 2019 blog to it and how the academy (those who publish in ancient history, religion, philosophy) now predominantly accepts the narrative of the empty tomb. Since then, I came across an excellent lecture given at Columbia University by the polymath William Lane Craig on this topic.
- Please see, e.g., The Book Hebrews, chapter 11.
- Please see, e.g., The Book of John.
- Please see, e.g., The Book of Second Corinthians, chapter 5. For a superior account of the differences between a Darwinian step and the new creation, please see the final chapter entitled “The New Men” of the book “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis (1952).
- Please see, The Book of Mark, chapter 8, The Book of Luke, chapter 9, The Book of Matthew, chapter 16.
- Please see the 23rd Psalm.
- Please see The Book of Hebrews, chapter 13