When I was young, I used to read about certain scientific advances in comic books and science fiction books, such as miniature wireless phones, bionics and computers. They either aided the good guy, or made the bad guy that much more evil.
Such things as stealth technology, fiber-optics, and microwave popcorn weren't even considered because they were so far fetched! But now they have all become reality.
Advances in technology, whether in fiction or actual news, have always been greeted by suspicion by those espousing moral ethics. What could man do with such power? What could go wrong?
The issue is coming up again as the work on the human genome project is producing results. Now the ability to genetically engineer your unborn child is available. Now we must ask moral questions.
Such things as stealth technology, fiber-optics, and microwave popcorn weren't even considered because they were so far fetched! But now they have all become reality.
Advances in technology, whether in fiction or actual news, have always been greeted by suspicion by those espousing moral ethics. What could man do with such power? What could go wrong?
The issue is coming up again as the work on the human genome project is producing results. Now the ability to genetically engineer your unborn child is available. Now we must ask moral questions.
Just 16 years ago, the concept of genetic perfection was the stuff of Hollywood movies like "Gattaca." Fast forward to just over a month ago, however, and experts were busy debating over whether genetically engineered babies should be prohibited in a session hosted in New York City by Intelligence Squared U.S. The Christian Post
Of course, there are the usual questions about the things that could go wrong. Would a genetically modified child have 4 eyes, 2 heads, or 4 arms. Yeah, sure we could prevent your child from having autism, but he'll have to get used to walking with that 3rd leg!
Then there are the issues of someone using this technology for evil purposes. Could a super-race of men actually be created? How many evil men in history would have loved to be able to create a race of warriors like the the Fighting Uruk-hai in Tolkiens Lord of The Ring books? I know of one maniac from 1930's Germany who would have loved having this technology.
The moral questions have always centered around those types of issues, medical and evil men. But I believe they are missing the real issue, and that is of humans playing God.
Not just playing God in the sense that only God in heaven can decide who gets red hair and who gets to be born in North Dakota, but playing God in the sense of thwarting his will.
As an example, sometimes God lets bad things happen to a child to have his impact on the child, the parents, a family member, or even someone in the future that will meet this child. We never know what his will is, and genetically "fixing" a developmental problem may eliminate someone in the future being blessed.
Then there are the issues of someone using this technology for evil purposes. Could a super-race of men actually be created? How many evil men in history would have loved to be able to create a race of warriors like the the Fighting Uruk-hai in Tolkiens Lord of The Ring books? I know of one maniac from 1930's Germany who would have loved having this technology.
The moral questions have always centered around those types of issues, medical and evil men. But I believe they are missing the real issue, and that is of humans playing God.
Not just playing God in the sense that only God in heaven can decide who gets red hair and who gets to be born in North Dakota, but playing God in the sense of thwarting his will.
As an example, sometimes God lets bad things happen to a child to have his impact on the child, the parents, a family member, or even someone in the future that will meet this child. We never know what his will is, and genetically "fixing" a developmental problem may eliminate someone in the future being blessed.
Take the guy in the Gospel of John that was born blind, and the disciples asked Jesus why this happened.
Was it cruel of God to have this man live so many years as a blind man and then to heal him just for his purposes instead of healing him so the man could avoid years of misery?
Or was the elation, joy and blessing from God that this man received and shared with others more important? Only God knows, and that is why he is God. When man plays God, nothing but trouble ensues.
What we should do is look at everything in light of the fact that we live in a fallen world, in fallen bodies, and life will be hard for us. That difficulty is proof that sin surrounds us, not proof that God doesn't love us.
His original plan for us was the Garden of Eden, which ain't too shabby!
Read the whole story: via The Christian Post
(John 9:1-3)Jesus then went on to heal the man who Glorified God, and it became well known among the people what had happened.
1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
Was it cruel of God to have this man live so many years as a blind man and then to heal him just for his purposes instead of healing him so the man could avoid years of misery?
Or was the elation, joy and blessing from God that this man received and shared with others more important? Only God knows, and that is why he is God. When man plays God, nothing but trouble ensues.
(Isaiah 55:6-9)The whole message of God redeeming the human race is one of love. God is love and loves us all, so we cannot look at the hardships we might experience as proof that God doesn't love us.
6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
What we should do is look at everything in light of the fact that we live in a fallen world, in fallen bodies, and life will be hard for us. That difficulty is proof that sin surrounds us, not proof that God doesn't love us.
His original plan for us was the Garden of Eden, which ain't too shabby!
Read the whole story: via The Christian Post
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