For many years, the Commission on Faith and Witness (CFW) of The Canadian Council of Churches have considered various concerns related to new discoveries and developments in science and technology. Topics included stem cell research, cloning, genetic engineering, and human impacts on the environment. These reflections led CFW members to the foundations of our faith and, especially, to our shared sense of who we are as human beings in relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation.
The result of the Commission’s reflections was the pamphlet Becoming Human: On Theological Anthropology in an Age of Engineering Life. This resource does not offer one-size-fits-all solutions to these topics or concerns. Rather, it draws on theological anthropology – that is, on our shared beliefs about what it means to be human – to provide a framework for how they might be considered and discussed faithfully.
This resource may be used:
Please note that this document was published in [insert date here]. While we may no longer be concerned about some of the topics presented in here (most of us haven’t thought of the ozone layer in a while!), we believe that the framework used in this pamphlet may be helpful to Christians navigating new technologies and scientific discoveries. In today’s world, we may be considering the implications of bots attending our YouTube church services, wondering about the appropriateness of using AI for writing prayers or sermons, talking about what stewardship means on the internet in an age of misinformation, or asking how healing the sick might look different with the invention of brain implants and AI.
In all this, the principle presented in this pamphlet remains: scientific discovery and technology are neither inherently good nor evil, but must always be considered through the lenses of love of neighbour, stewardship of creation, and respect for our personhood in God.
For additional resources related to theological anthropology, see episodes 5 and 11 of the podcast Faith & Witness.
| Title | Summary | Link | hf:doc_categories | hf:doc_tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devenir humain: anthropologie théologique et ingénierie de la vie | La brochure que voici est proposée comme une ressource et une amorce de discussion pour les chrétiennes et les chrétiens désireux de réfléchir ensemble sur les questions que soulève de nos jours la biotechnologie. Elle recourt à des thèmes et à un langage théologique permettant aux diverses traditions chrétiennes d’exprimer les réalités profondes que nous … | french theological-anthropology language theme | ||
| Becoming Human: On Theological Anthropology in an Age of Engineering Life | This pamphlet is intended to be used as a resource and discussion-starter for Christians who wish to reflect together on some of the questions raised in our day by biotechnology. It introduces theological themes and language by which various Christian traditions give expression to the deep realities of which we are … | english theological-anthropology language theme |