Why is there so much anxiety about reproduction in sci-fi? This question has been posited in several recent discussions. And now that I have asked the question, I keep seeing examples of this concept of concern over the human ability to have children by natural means. This can be seen in sci-fi books, short stories, tv series, and films.
This podcast presents research I completed for a conference presentation that looks at Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818), Ronald D. Moore’s Battlestar Galactica (2004), and Genesis 1-3 as texts promoting human reproduction as not only a divine calling but a divine blessing. My conclusions raise a question about how we should respond when procreation is not possible. Is the absence of God’s blessing equal to a curse? No! Anyway, there is no biblical evidence for this conclusion.
This is only the beginning of a larger conversation about biblical ethics and reproduction in the modern world. Some related topics are reproductive rights in law and religion, Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), adoption, and child-centered family units. After looking at thematic similarities in the literature, I briefly explain modern religious ideas about reproductive rights. My aim is not to answer these questions completely but to raise discussion across theology, biblical ethics, and STEM disciplines.
Feel free to leave comments and questions below. Also, discover more Scholarlywanderlust Podcasts on a variety of topics.
Dr. Erica Mongé-Greer, holding a PhD in Divinity from the University of Aberdeen, is a distinguished researcher and educator specializing in Biblical Ethics, Mythopoeia, and Resistance Theory. Her work focuses on justice in ancient religious texts, notably reinterpreting Psalm 82’s ethics in the Hebrew Bible, with her findings currently under peer review.
In addition to her academic research, Dr. Mongé-Greer is an experienced University instructor, having taught various biblical studies courses. Her teaching philosophy integrates theoretical discussions with practical insights, promoting an inclusive and dynamic learning environment.
Her ongoing projects include a book on religious themes in the series Battlestar Galactica and further research in biblical ethics, showcasing her dedication to interdisciplinary studies that blend religion with contemporary issues.