Transhumanism and the Image of God, by Jacob Shatzer

Chances are, you haven't given a lot of thought to transhumanism.  Theologian Jacob Shatzer has, and writes about it in Transhumanism and the Image of God: Today's Technology and the Future of Christian Discipleship.  First of all, don't get distracted by the term transhumanism.  By this he simply means the modern technology that moves us toward "a future created by the next stage of evolution (the posthuman), moving beyond what it currently means to be human."  He discusses social media, smart phones, wearable technology, virtual reality, and more arcane subjects like whole mind uploading and artificial intelligence.

The first half or so of the book explores these technological ideas and how we interact with them.  He points out that "humans make tools, but tools also make humans."  Technologies like computers and iPhones are tools, but they have altered the way we live, think, and interact with others, perhaps irreversibly.  The "brain's nonconscious mapping changes and redefines action and the relationship between the agent and the world."  The tools of modern technology "are more powerful [than earlier tools] and therefore create great change in the self-world boundary." 

In the second half of the book, Shatzer explores how our relationship with technology affects our sense of place, our relationships with others, and our self-image.  After a rather technical (but accessible) discussion of the technology, Shatzer comes to a low-tech solution.  We may think we are connected to others via technology, but to truly connect we need to recapture the age-old tradition of sharing meals.  Homemade food, engaging story telling, and strong fellowship keep us connected in ways that social media never can.

Further, he recommends incorporating "practices into our lives that give us space away from and formation in the face of encroaching immersive technology" primarily by practicing a Sabbath rest.  Shatzer tackles technological issues thoughtfully and in such a way that the average American reader won't have much trouble recognizing and relating to the discussion.  His solutions are rather obvious, but welcome and no less important in their application.  The first step to recovering Christian discipleship in a technological age is recognizing how technology shapes us.  Shatzer gets us on the path to do so.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!