Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
"A Dubious Resurrection"
May 4, 2018
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself.
~ Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV)
The web has a site called "NBC News Digital." I would never have gone there if I hadn't seen an article entitled, "Will 'Digital Resurrections' Let Us Bring Back the Dead?"
The article began by talking about how, in every age, in every culture, people have tried to find ways to remember those loved ones who have died. It noted how, in the last two centuries, the use of photos, film, and video have made the job easier.
But now, the article maintained, the rise of new technologies may make the job of remembering far easier and fulfilling. Even as we speak, companies are developing digital resurrection technology.
Leaders at these companies foresee in the immediate future a computer program in which we could type a message to the "Dearly Departed" (DD) and receive some sort of comforting reply. From there, instead of Siri, Alexa, and Google, we would hear responses in the DD's own voice.
But that's not all; the digital resurrection doesn't stop with voice impersonations. There is a company in Stockholm, Sweden, which is working on creating a virtual reality you. It would work this way: having put on their virtual reality glasses and headset, a mourner could talk with and see the dearly departed just as if he were still alive.
But there is still more. By wearing a sensor-filled bodysuit and gloves, a mourner could physically interact with the DD. That means if you've had a bad day, the dearly departed would seem to be giving you a hug. The last step in the digital resurrection would be to have science create a robotic version of the DD that is programmed to act, think, and respond just like the real person.
Cue Rod Serling and The Twilight Zone theme song.
Some people think the digital resurrection is comforting; others find it creepy. Some scientists say the digital resurrection will help the grieving process; others say it will only lengthen and intensify it.
Now all of what has been described here may come to pass, or it may not.
One thing is certain: the best resurrection science can give is a pitifully poor remembrance of something that has been. Only in outward and superficial ways can it be considered a resurrection at all.
In contrast, our crucified and risen Savior has promised the day will come when the bodies and souls of believers will be brought together, again, glorified bodies. We will not be the weak and wounded, diseased and dying things we were. In the resurrection, we will be given bodies designed to live with the Lord forever.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, Your Word brought into being the entire universe. By Your Son's sacrifice and resurrection, we will be given glorified bodies that will be designed to sing Your praises for all eternity. For making the impossible a blessed reality, I thank You in the Savior's Name. Amen.
The above devotion was inspired by a number of sources, including one written by David Cox for Mach on April 16, 2018. Those who wish to reference that article may do so at the following link, which was fully functional at the time this devotion was written: https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/will-digital-resurrections-let-us-bring-back-dead-ncna865806
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Will 'Digital Resurrections' Let Us Bring Back the Dead?
No comments:
Post a Comment