In Search of Immortality – The New Hyperboreans

“Old Woman Singing” by Gerard van Honthorst (1620s), National Museum in Warsaw (Accession No. Rys.Ob.d.834/1), Source/Photographer cyfrowe.mnw.art.pl, (PD)

In Greek mythology, the Hyperboreans were thought to be a people who lived in a state of constant happiness, youth, and vitality – immune to disease and aging [1][2].  This is still the goal of many today.

There is a serious debate underway among scientists and ethicists as to the potential of anti-aging therapies, and their social consequences [3A]. 

Thanks to modern medicine, sanitation, and improved food supplies, those in the developed world can expect to live much longer than their ancestors [3B].  However, the Human Genome Project identified new targets for pharmaceuticals that could slow aging or prevent age-related diseases [3C]. 

• Some researchers are, for instance, attempting to use the enzyme telomerase to overcome the inherent number of times somatic (non-reproductive) cells can divide [3D].
• Others are searching for substances that can mimic the effects of caloric restriction (something that has extended the lifespan of mice by up to 30% in the laboratory) [3E].

Cryogenics remains under active investigation [4].  An increasing number aspire to live on after physical death by building a virtual identity in the Metaverse, and transferring their consciousness to that avatar [5].

While not all of us are obsessed with living longer, there is a clearly a fascination with health, fitness, and the appearance of youth in our culture.  The millions spent on plastic surgery annually attest to that.

Much of this effort is driven by the fear of death, and a belief mankind can create a Paradise on earth through science and technology.  That, of course, ignores the “sin nature” of mankind and the moral perils posed.  

The pressure on natural resources would undoubtedly increase, if lives were extended indefinitely.  Moves to limit the allowable number of births, and euthanize the elderly and disabled (already nascent) would likely follow [6].

Biblical View of Aging

According to the Old Testament, some of the patriarchs lived for hundreds of years (Gen. 25: 7-8; Deut. 34: 7).  The Bible has much to say about aging which is a result of original sin (Gen. 3: 4). 

Here are a few verses:

We are to honor and respect the elderly.

“Remember the days of old, Consider the years of many generations.  Ask your father, and he will show you; Your elders, and they will tell you…” (Deut. 32: 7).

Indeed, by doing so we extend our own lives.

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you” (Ex. 20: 12).

“‘You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God:  I am the Lord’” (Lev. 19: 32).

The elderly offer the young wisdom.

“Wisdom is with aged men, And with length of days, understanding” (Job 12: 12).

There is no point in looking back to “better days”.  That is futile.

“Do not say, ‘Why were the former days better than these?’ For you do not inquire wisely concerning this” (Eccl. 7: 10).

God gives power to the weak.  Those who wait on Him will renew their strength.

“He gives power to the weak And to those who have no might He increases strength” (Isa. 40: 29).

“But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint” (Isa. 40: 31).

Our flesh may fail, but God is our strength and our portion.

“My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Ps. 73: 26).

His power is made perfect in our weakness and infirmity.

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness’” (2 Cor. 12: 9).

God is faithful and assures us of His support throughout life, even into old age.

“Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you!  I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you” (Isa. 46: 4).

Our outward man may be perishing.  But our inward man is daily renewed.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4: 16).

Believers need have no fear of death.  Because of Christ’s death on the cross and Resurrection, we are assured of eternal life with Him.

“And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God” (Job 19: 26).

“O Death, where is your sting?  O Hades, where is your victory?” (1 Cor. 15: 55).

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[1]  Greek Reporter, “What Was the Mysterious Land of Hyperborea in Greek Mythology?” by Caleb Howels, 11/23/24,  https://greekreporter.com/2024/11/23/greek-mythology-hyperborea-mysterious-land/.

[2]  Wikipedia, “Hyperborea”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperborea.

[3]  National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information, “Who wants to live forever?” by Jayne Lucke and Wayne Hall, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1299249/ .

[4]  Tomorrow Biostasis, “Cryogenic Sleep for Space Travel”, 1/17/22, https://www.tomorrow.bio/post/cryogenic-sleep-for-space-travel#:~:text=Current%20Cryosleep%20Research&text=Are%20there%20any%20researchers%20trying,will%20be%20removed%20through%20catheters .

[5]  Medium, “Life After Death in the Metaverse” by Rohit Farmer PhD, 2/24/22, https://rohitfarmer.medium.com/life-after-death-in-the-metaverse-9d2f58e698ec#:~:text=Transferring%20human%20conscience%20into%20a%20machine%20is,plausible%20given%20the%20latest%20advancements%20in%20AI .

[6]   Americans United for Life, “AUL Opposes Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS) and Euthanasia”,  https://aul.org/physician-assisted-suicide/pro-life-views-on-euthanasia/ .

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