Frankenstein and the Bible
Iron and Myth #52
THE STORY of Frankenstein and his monster can be read as a tale of daddy issues with catastrophic consequences. That's not quite how we see it.
Joining us for a deeper dive into the tale of Frankenstein and his monster is our regular Iron and Myth crew: Dr. Judd Burton (BurtonBeyond.net), author of Interview With the Giant; Doug Van Dorn (DouglasVanDorn.com), author of Battle for the Bible’s Truth: Genesis, Jesus, and the Second Century Plot to Deny the Messiah; and Brian Godawa (Godawa.com), best-selling author of Daniel: Exile in Babylon, the first novel in a trilogy about the life of Daniel.
The tale of Frankenstein, over 200 years old, has continued to inspire countless adaptations and debates. Brian notes that the narrative encapsulates humanity’s (and the angelic realm’s) primal drive to create life. This inherent desire raises questions about the morality of creation and the responsibilities that come with it.
One cannot discuss Frankenstein without acknowledging its biblical undertones. From the story of Genesis, where knowledge leads to the fall, to the cautionary tales of the Watchers in the Book of Enoch, there is a recurring theme of humanity overstepping its bounds. Doug emphasizes that Victor Frankenstein’s actions mirror those of the Titans in Greek mythology, who faced dire consequences for their hubris. The parallels between Victor's ambition and the biblical figures reveal a cautionary warning about the pursuit of forbidden knowledge.
Today, the themes of Frankenstein are more relevant than ever as we navigate the complexities of genetic engineering and artificial intelligence. The discussions around CRISPR technology and AI echo the dilemmas faced by Victor Frankenstein. As we strive to enhance human life, we must confront the ethical implications of our advancements. We discuss how the creation of autonomous life forms could lead to unintended consequences—much like those faced by Victor and his creation.
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In my opinion, even if AI became sentient, it still should not be considered 'creating life' because the knowledge and processes built upon God's creation.