Will humanity somehow be able to live forever?
Bryan Johnson is a biohacker (someone who uses science, technology, and experimentation to optimize their health) and longevity guru who is currently 48 years old but has shared in the past that the hopes to live until the year 2140, which would make him 160 years old when he dies. He believes that this kind of longevity is possible and today’s young people may even be “the first generation who won’t die.”
But sadly, Johnson recently revealed that, despite everything he’s done for his health, including spending millions of dollars, he’s been diagnosed with a condition called autoimmune gastritis, in which “the immune system attacks the stomach’s acid-producing parietal cells, reducing stomach acid and impairing vitamin B12 absorption.” In other words, Johnson says his stomach is eating itself. Right now, there’s no cure for his condition, and while it is manageable, it increases his risk of a variety of other issues, including stomach cancer.
Johnson’s diagnosis is a sad reminder that we live in a fallen world. No amount of biohacking and optimizing health will save you from death: “It is appointed for men to die once” (Hebrews 9:27). Because all have sinned, God’s judgment of death is coming to all of us sooner or later. And we live in a fallen world—our world groans and our bodies groan. We can make choices that will likely keep us healthy longer or improve our quality of life, but we can’t ultimately protect ourselves from all suffering. This world is fallen; it’s not getting better—it’s been getting worse for 6,000 years!
Humanity used to live well past 160. Living until 900 years was the norm before the global Flood, and lifespans began to decline afterward until by King David’s day, 70 years or so was an expected lifespan (Psalm 90:10). No, we aren’t getting better over time! The more time passes between the perfect of God’s original “very good” creation, the worse off things are in many ways (though technology has helped in some ways!).
People like Johnson may, someday, be able to use science and “biohacking” to extend human lifespans, but eventually they, and everyone else, will still die. There won’t be a generation that doesn’t die because there won’t be a generation that hasn’t sinned. How’s that for some bad news today? But the good news for Johnson and everyone is that even though their physical bodies will return to the dust they came from, they don’t have to die!
And besides, even a few hundred years is nothing compared to eternity! It’s eternity we should be seriously thinking about.
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies” (John 11:25). Jesus paid our sin debt for us when He died on the cross, and when we come to Him in repentance and faith, we are saved from the wrath of God, forgiven of our sin, and given the free gift of new and eternal life. Though we physically die, our soul will live forever and someday will enjoy a new resurrected body. And that’s the good news of the gospel!
Don’t put your hope in biohacking; it won’t save you. Only Jesus’ death and resurrection will save you!
