Can Science Conquer Death?

(3 Minute Read. 29Sep2021)

“Can Science Cure Death? It Sure Looks Like It.”

This was the title of a feature article in the July-August 2021 issue of Popular Mechanics magazine.

The article reported on several scientists researching aging mechanisms and investigating ways to prolong life. Some of those interviewed for the article believe that science will eventually “cure death” so that men can live forever.

However, there was nothing in the article to back up the claim of the title: “It Sure Looks Like It.” The author admitted this lack of evidence saying, “The science required to break free of death, unfortunately, is still at ground level.” In fact, a co-founder of one of the “Live Forever” organizations has already died.

No Escape from Death

The clear and certain answer to the title question, “Can Science Cure Death?” is NO. Scripture makes it clear that science will never find a cure for death:
It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)

In the future some humans may live longer than we currently do, but everyone must die and face the Great Creator. Until recently an extremely common phrase regarding a person’s passing was that they must “meet their Maker.” This reflects the common human understanding that death is inevitable.

The only known exceptions to this rule of death are Enoch (Genesis 5:22-24; Hebrews 11:5) and Elijah (2 Kings 2:1-12) who were taken directly to heaven by God without dying. Everyone else has to eventually die.

Long Life

Are there any potential problems associated with extended lifespans?

How will it be decided who gets to live forever? To whom and how will limited resources be allocated? Many people consider overpopulation of the earth a current pressing problem. I don’t agree with that, but many specific areas of the world are certainly overcrowded, and that situation will get much worse if people live forever.

But the biggest problem with extended lifespans is one that has been seen before. It is the compounding growth of wickedness and evil throughout lengthy lifespans.

The one example we have of extended lifespans was before Noah’s Flood. According to the Genesis record of antediluvial lifespans (Genesis 5), people typically lived for 900 years before the Flood. The result was that evil proliferated to such an extent that the Great Creator had to wash the earth with the Flood and start over with Noah and his sons.
Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. . . . Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence. God looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth. Then God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth. (Genesis 6:5,11-13)

Eternal Life

Has anyone ever conquered death? Yes. Jesus of Nazareth was victorious over death some 2,000 years ago. After dying on the cross for the sin of His people, He rose from the dead three days later to live forevermore. He is the only One who has beaten death.

The drive to cure death through science in order to live forever is grounded in a desire for eternal life. But this is the wrong way to go about achieving eternal life.

Eternal life will never come through science. Science will not and cannot conquer death.

Eternal life comes through faith in Jesus Christ:
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
(John 3:16-18)
And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. (John 17:3)
Jesus said to him [Thomas], “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (John 14:6)

Questions to Ponder

1. Whom do you know who faced death with peace and calm faith?
2. What Scripture assures you when death seems scary?

Share your thoughts on these questions in the comments below. It could encourage or help another reader.

For Christ and His Kingdom. Soli Deo Gloria. Alere Flammam Veritatis.

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©William T. Pelletier, Ph.D.
“contending earnestly for the faith”
“destroying speculations against the knowledge of God”
“for the defense of the gospel”
(Jude 1:3; 2 Cor 10:5; Phil 1:16)
Wednesday September 29, 2021 A.D.

“Ah Lord GOD! Behold, Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by Thy great power and by Thine outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for Thee.” (Jeremiah 32:17)

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