Did you miss it? Just this spring, news headlines around the world were filled with the groundbreaking announcement that for the first time in human history, scientists were able to successfully resurrect a creature that has been extinct for thousands of years.
Social media posts, radio programs, podcasts, magazines, and local news broadcasts were all celebrating an historic achievement by a company called Colossal Biosciences, which announced the rebirth of a foregone canine species known as the Dire Wolf. Upon such a profound announcement, commentators immediately began touting this unprecedented accomplishment as the first “de-extinction” of a species accomplished by humanity using cutting-edge genetic technology.
By combining ancient Dire Wolf DNA that had been preserved, and DNA from modern grey wolves, then using domestic dogs as surrogate mothers to carry and give birth, three new hybridized wolves were introduced into our world. If you’re thinking this sounds eerily similar to the movie Jurassic Park, you read my mind!
While debate exists as to whether this event should be viewed as a genuine de-extinction of a species or the creation of something entirely new closely resembling its ancient progenitor (I hold to the latter), all can agree that this event stands as a truly remarkable feat facilitated by humanity’s ever-growing level of knowledge.
We are truly living in unprecedented times that have no signs of slowing down in the growth and application of technology. Whether it’s the creation of genetically altered mice containing DNA from Wooly Mammoths or the exponential advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI), mankind continues to push physical, biological, and technological boundaries in the quest to advance our collective knowledge of the universe in which we live.
But what are we as Christians to make of all this? How are we to respond to such profound events? What are the implications of advancements in human knowledge and capabilities to levels previously unimaginable?
The Ancient Roots of the Knowledge Temptation
The first answer to questions like these is that we should not be surprised by achievements and occurrences of such colossal magnitude. Humanity’s hunger for knowledge and its thirst to push through boundaries in its quest to obtain it is nothing new. Quite the contrary, the appeal of knowledge is practically as ancient as the creation of man himself, originating in the Garden of Eden. Indeed, as even the newest of Christians know, the allure of knowledge is what tempted Adam and Eve when the serpent in the Garden deceptively promised them, “You will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Ge. 3:5).
More than that, rather than responding with surprise, we as believers should expect to witness continual advancements in humanity’s collective abilities, fulfilling the words spoken to the prophet Daniel regarding the last days, that “knowledge shall increase” (Da. 12:4). Thus, as we observe breakthroughs in bio-engineering, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and other cutting-edge fields of science, they should serve as indicators of just how near we are to the return of our Lord Jesus.
Returning to Adam and Eve for a moment, we would also do well to remember the consequences of their desire to be like God through the acquisition of knowledge.
It was the appeal of God-like knowledge that provoked humanity’s problem with sin to begin with. Ever since the eyes of the first man and woman were opened when they took a bite of the forbidden fruit, pain, suffering, and death have plagued humanity ever since. Yet, the ever-appealing temptation of knowledge has, and continues to cause history to repeat itself, often resulting in perilous consequences.
The pride and arrogance of man’s knowledge was displayed shortly after the great flood of Noah’s day, when the peoples of the earth were united in their ambition to build a tower that reached into the heavens to “make a name for ourselves” (Ge. 11:4) in defiance of God’s command for mankind to “be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth” (Ge. 9:1).
In recent history, the discovery of the atom quickly led to the creation of weapons of mass destruction capable of causing exponentially more damage than all other weaponry ever to exist until that point in time.
While knowledge itself isn’t inherently evil nor should the pursuit of learning be avoided, the temptation that comes with the acquisition of knowledge should always be carefully considered. The seductiveness of power, wealth, and prestige inevitably accompanies new discoveries, and with them, the temptation to deploy newfound knowledge for selfish ambitions, often resulting in unexpected or unintended outcomes. There is truth in the saying credited to English philosopher, Francis Bacon, that “knowledge is power.”
With the recent “resurrection” of the Dire Wolf, it has now been demonstrated that man’s collective knowledge of genetics is sufficient to empower the recreation and manipulation of life itself. Humanity is now capable of rewriting the genetic code of creatures brought forth by God and altering them in ways differing and departing from those originally established by their Creator. What could possibly go wrong?
I would argue that once again mankind has reached a point where we are again trying to “make a name for ourselves” as we tout our achievements, similar to those who constructed the tower of Babel. Once again, we are succumbing to the captivating pretense of knowledge that promises we can be as God. Once again, we are falling for the original lie.
Why Wisdom Must Govern Knowledge
So, what is the solution to this dilemma? How can humans continue moving forward in this advanced age of progress, innovation, and discovery without falling victim to the ever-appealing temptation of knowledge? The answer is wisdom!
Wisdom is the ability to discern that which is true or right. It is exercising sound judgment when knowledge is being applied. Proverbs 1:7 aptly points out that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” meaning that the starting point for correctly applying knowledge is to first consider what God thinks and what His Word says about humanity’s ambitions to push the limits of our knowledge. Without godly wisdom, knowledge has the potential to be dangerous.
It again reminds me of the movie Jurassic Park, when the character, Ian Malcolm, says one of my favorite quotes of all time, “Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should.” Wise words. If we as human beings would only stop to first contemplate whether our intentions and actions align with God’s will, we would be spared much hurt.
Obviously, we as believers cannot stop or control the aspirations of corporations, the research of educational institutions, or the decisions of governments in their pursuit of knowledge. However, we can choose how to view, interpret, and respond to the advancement of knowledge in our generation.
As Christians, we can utilize a reverential respect and holy fear of God along with a familiarity of His Word to discern whether the profound discoveries, achievements, and inventions continually making headlines are beneficial, ethical, and in alignment with the Lord’s will. We can impart godly wisdom by sharing Biblical principles with friends, family, and neighbors as well as through participation in events and opportunities that impact our communities, states, and countries. As occasions arise, we can challenge conventional wisdom with godly wisdom in an effort to point hearts and minds to God. In the end, the only real way for humanity to “be like God” intended, isn’t through the expansion of knowledge, but by placing our faith in and being transformed by the one true Man of God, Jesus Christ.
