Cryonics or cryogenics refers to the practice of preserving a human body at extremely low temperatures with the hope that resuscitation and restoration to full health may be possible in the future. This practice is based on the belief that brain structures encoding memory and personality can remain intact even after clinical death if cooled quickly enough to very low temperatures. Proponents argue that future advances in nanotechnology and medicine may someday make it possible to revive individuals preserved this way.
The Bible does not directly mention or address the practice of cryonics or cryogenics. However, there are some biblical principles that can provide guidance for Christians thinking about this issue:
1. The finality of death
The Bible presents death as final and irreversible. When someone dies, their spirit leaves their body and returns to God, while their body decays. According to Ecclesiastes 12:7, “the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” And Hebrews 9:27 declares, “it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” This indicates that humans only live one life, not to be resurrected until the future resurrection when Christ returns. Attempting to preserve a body indefinitely with hopes of future resuscitation appears to deny the finality of death.
2. Acceptance of death
Part of living the Christian life is acceptance of our mortality and preparation for the afterlife. The Bible encourages believers to number their days (Psalm 90:12), store up heavenly treasures (Matthew 6:20), and live faithfully no matter how much time we have left. Technologies like cryonics that try to prolong life indefinitely can promote an unhealthy avoidance of death rather than acceptance. As Paul says in Philippians 1:21, “to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Christians can have hope of resurrection, but should also recognize death as a transition to eternal life with God.
3. Stewardship of resources
The costs associated with cryopreservation are substantial, ranging from tens of thousands to over $200,000 in some cases. Good stewardship must be considered in light of other uses for such funds, especially giving to meet pressing needs of the poor and advance the gospel. As 1 Timothy 6:7-8 reminds us, “we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.” Our resources would be better spent laying up eternal rewards rather than trying to preserve earthly life.
4. Materialism and denial of the soul
Cryonics reflects a materialistic and scientific view of humanity, focusing entirely on preserving the physical body rather than the soul. But the Bible teaches that human beings are more than just physical bodies. Genesis 2:7 says “the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” We are a union of physical and spiritual, bodies animated by the very breath of God. Cryonics fails to account for the soul, the essence of human life.
5. Lack of resurrection faith
For Christians, hope for the future is based on Christ’s resurrection and the promise that we too will be resurrected to new life. Cryonics suggests a lack of faith that God will resurrect believers to eternal life. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 describes the contrast between our earthly bodies now and our resurrected bodies for eternity. Cryonics indicates a clinging to this imperfect, mortal existence rather than the perfect immortal life to come.
At the same time, the Bible does not explicitly prohibit cryonics either. There are also some considerations from a biblical perspective that could allow it in certain circumstances:
1. Preserving life
The Bible consistently presents human life as precious and valuable. Technologies that aim to preserve life can reflect respect for life as a gift from God. So while cryonics should not be pursued as a way to extend earthly life indefinitely, it may be acceptable to use if motivated by a desire to preserve life.
2. Freedom of conscience
Romans 14 encourages allowance for freedom of conscience when Christians disagree on issues not directly addressed in Scripture. Since cryonics is not mentioned in the Bible, there is room for individual Christians to prayerfully follow their conscience after evaluating both sides of the issue through the lens of Scripture.
3. Motives and priorities
More important than the technology itself are the motives and priorities behind using it. Cryonics could be pursued out of resistance to death and unhealthy attachment to this life. But it could also reflect hope of resuscitation to continue serving God, or a desire to ease grief if technologies advance enough to make revival possible. The motives and purpose behind cryonic preservation matter greatly from a biblical perspective.
4. Extraordinary means
Roman Catholics and some Protestants make a distinction between ordinary and extraordinary medical means for preserving life. Ordinary means like food, water, and routine treatment are obligatory. But extraordinary means like risky procedures or disproportionately invasive life support are optional. Some Christians consider cryonics extraordinary and optional given its experimental nature and substantial costs.
5. Advance directives
A biblical case could be made both for and against cryonic preservation in official advance directives for end-of-life care. Christians who prayerfully decide after reflection on both sides that they want cryonics attempted would be free in good conscience to designate this if it brings them hope or peace.
In conclusion, while the practice of cryonics raises important biblical concerns, there is room for differences of opinion among Christians. Each believer must carefully weigh their own motivations and use wisdom in deciding whether cryogenic preservation after death is a responsible application of resources that aligns with their understanding of God’s purposes for life and death. Christians can thoughtfully disagree on this issue while upholding their shared faith in Christ and the resurrection.
