Science can provide us with the tools to innovate and develop new technology to heal others , but it is only by emulating Christ ’ s grasp of intense suffering and empathy for the suffering of humankind that technology , such as MRT , can be guided properly .
Although we , as humans , have been granted this immense privilege , we should also briefly acknowledge two caveats . Respect for human life must be at the forefront , and alleviating the suffering of others , however it may be defined , must be the utmost priority . Suffering and healing are both incredibly nuanced , and as easy as it seems to categorize and classify degrees of suffering , suffering in and of itself is an individual experience . By no means does this paradigm point to ableism and eugenics , that somehow individuals who are “ restored ” are valued more than those who are not . All humankind , no matter what , has been made in the image of God , fearfully and wonderfully made ( Genesis 1:27 , Psalm 139:14 ). Furthermore , we must not forget that Jesus cared for and defended the blind man ( John 9:3 ). We must also acknowledge that technology is not always the answer to healing all suffering . For instance , despite the apparent benefits of telehealth , patients with chronic , complex health conditions often require in-person evaluations over a longer period of time , which is necessary for long-term follow-up and in-person care . 5 Thus , discretion must be exercised in evaluating the intentions behind its development and its usage .
may not until the Second Coming , through which Christ will redeem and heal all disease and disability ( Revelation 21:4 ). MRT , for instance , needs to be continuously monitored longterm in order to determine whether any negative effects arise later in life . Because of this limitation , technology must be guided and upheld by listening and hearing the voices of the hurt .
To conclude , we return to our particular case of MRT . Although other countries such as the United Kingdom , Greece , and Ukraine have authorized clinical trials and usage of MRT , a number of conservative Christians have prevented and blocked the use of MRT in the United States . Thus , parents , physicians , and stakeholders alike need to continue to advocate for this treatment and to educate individuals in power who may misconstrue MRT ’ s complexity and its potential for good . This is a powerful opportunity to emulate Christ ’ s empathy , always seeking to act with the same compassion that Jesus exhibited when he died to heal us of our sin . We should further extend this paradigm to guide the development and implementation of technology in other areas of medicine , as seen with the exploration of brain-chip interfaces as a therapeutic to restore vision . In a world that is constantly seeking to innovate new ways to change our lives , we may have lost sight of the original purpose in serving others with the gift of technology . Keeping this perspective in mind provides us with a humble posture , an opportunity to imitate Christ ’ s compassion .
Furthermore , while it is clear that technology does hold this incredible power to heal , it does have its limitations . We still do not have the means to restore and heal certain conditions , for God has hidden matters from our hearts and our own , limited understanding ( Psalm 147:5 , Proverbs 25:2 ). In fact , we
5 Hall , Josh . “ Why ‘ Zoom medicine ’ is not the answer to all our ills .”
10 Spring 2021