CTA Theological Anthropology Part 2 – Explanatory Knowledge Creators
Critical Rationalism, Deutsch, and the Imago Dei
In Part 1 of this series, we explored how Christian Transhumanism reframes theological anthropology—our understanding of what it means to be human—in light of transformation, growth, and destiny. Rather than a static or fallen image, imago Dei was interpreted as dynamic: humanity is not just made in God's image, but made to become more fully like God through both spiritual and technological transformation.
In this post, we explore a powerful complement to that vision: the idea that humans are unique as explanatory knowledge creators. This idea, drawn from the work of physicist and philosopher David Deutsch, aligns with both Christian and Transhumanist notions of humanity’s calling—and fits with CTA’s commitment to Critical Rationalism.
A refresher on Critical Rationalism
Key terms:
· Realism (objective reality exists, it is the “engineered artifact” Universe)
· Fallibilism (we can’t be certain what that reality is)
· Error-correction (we continuously improve our best knowledge over time)
· Persons (are knowledge creators)
· Problem-Solving (the process of identifying problems in the network of current theories, and conjecturing new theories to resolve them)
· All life is problem-solving (and that’s beautiful)
· Explanatory Knowledge (consists of far-reaching models of how things work, is universal, and powerfully predictive)
· Only persons create explanatory knowledge.
To expand Critical Rationalism, we outlined a matrix, to identify different truth-seeking processes and their effectiveness in different disciplines. As the CTA wrestles with complex issues in religion, science, consciousness, creation, medicine, human flourishing, futurism, and Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI), we need an epistemic base to articulate the future.
From Tools to Explanations
In his landmark book The Beginning of Infinity, Deutsch argues that the key distinction between humans and other intelligent organisms is not tool-use, nor even problem-solving ability—it is the capacity to create explanatory knowledge. Animals can learn, imitate, and adapt, but only humans ask why. Only we build theories that explain the unseen.
This is no minor difference. It is the engine of science, philosophy, theology, and all progress. In Deutsch’s words, “humans are universal explainers”—capable of understanding any phenomenon in the universe, given the right knowledge and time. That capacity, he argues, is what makes human knowledge unbounded in principle, with our technology limited only by the laws of physics.
Imago Dei as Rational Co-Creatorship
Now compare this with Genesis 1:26–27:
“Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule…”
Here, the imago Dei includes agency and stewardship. But it also implies rationality, relationality, and creativity. In other words: God is a Creator who speaks the world into being, names things, gives form and order. And humanity, in His image, is called to do the same—though from dust and its emergent entities, not ex nihilo.
As persons, our capacity for explanatory knowledge is not just a survival adaptation; it’s a theological vocation. We are made to seek truth, to generate new understanding, and to transform ourselves and our world in light of that knowledge. This is core to our telos as image-bearers.
In this we are “co-creators”, not just of families, communities, and technological artifacts, but the explanatory knowledge that undergirds and enables them.
Critical Rationalism as Spiritual Praxis
Deutsch, building on Karl Popper, advances a philosophy called critical rationalism. It holds that knowledge grows not by justification or authority, but by conjecture and refutation. We guess, we criticize, we improve. Knowledge evolves through error correction.
This is profoundly aligned with Christian discipleship. Scripture calls us to test everything (1 Thess. 5:21), to reason together (Isa. 1:18), and to be transformed by the renewing of our minds to test and approve… (Rom. 12:2). Faith, in this light, is not blind assent but a trustful openness to ongoing revelation and correction—a dynamic journey toward truth that results in real-world wise, loving and just actions (James 2:14-16) to build an amazing future.
Heavenly wisdom (explanatory knowledge) is “pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive [to the truth, fallible], full of mercy and good fruit” (James 3:17). James links epistemic virtue (purity and sincerity) with moral virtue (mercy, peace-making).
Just as the scientific method presupposes fallibility and correction, so does sanctification. We "see through a glass darkly" (1 Cor. 13:12), yet we are being transformed from glory to glory (2 Cor 3:18).
A Theology of Fallibility
Critical rationalism builds-in epistemic humility. It assumes all our knowledge is provisional, always open to revision. This is not weakness—it is strength. In fact, it's what keeps progress moving.
Scripture also is saturated with epistemic humility—the recognition that human knowledge is limited, fallible, and often distorted by pride or sin. It not only encourages humility before God, but embeds it into the way we are meant to seek truth, act wisely, and correct ourselves as we learn and seek personal transformation and sanctification.
Throughout Proverbs, you do not possess wisdom; you seek it, and it begins by acknowledging your limitations, and being ‘fearful’ of God, that is, being in awe of truth, and expecting serious consequences when you stray from your best understanding of it.
Isaiah says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa 55:8-9). Paul says “Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought” (1Cor 8:2)
In Christian anthropology we are limited, fallen, and error-prone. But through grace and growth, we are capable of learning, repenting, growing, evolving. Even Christ "grew in wisdom" (Luke 2:52)—how much more should we?
So rather than resisting error, a critical-rational theology embraces it as a necessary step in the journey. We learn through failure. We grow through correction. In this way, explanatory knowledge is both a tool and a path for theosis (transformation ever closer to the perfection God intends).
Technology, Transformation, and Telos
In Christian Transhumanism, technology is not a threat to faith but a natural extension of human creativity and transformation. If we are explanatory knowledge co-creators, then technological evolution is a byproduct of our image-bearing nature. It is the externalization of mind, the embodiment of rational will.
But here lies the ethical tension: we must always ask not just what we can create, but what we should. Imago Dei gives us both power and responsibility. As we grow in knowledge—both explanatory and technological—we must also grow in love, wisdom, and humility. This is not progress instead of grace, but progress within grace.
Toward a Christian Epistemology of Hope
Finally, let us return to Deutsch’s deepest claim: that explanatory knowledge is open-ended. We are not at the end of history. The problems of today are solvable. The best ideas have yet to be created. The powerful explanatory knowledge we need for the future can, and should, be co-created by those who seek to best instantiate the archetype of Christ, to reveal God’s nature in the cosmos.
For Christians, this echoes Paul’s bold declaration:
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…” (Eph. 3:20)
We live in hope not because we know all the answers, but because we are created to seek them—and because the God who made us delights in co-creation.
Conclusion: Faith is Seeking Explanations
To be human is to seek meaningful explanations. To build explanations is to reach toward truth. To reach toward truth is to step further into the image of the One who is Truth.
Critical rationalism offers a modern epistemology that aligns with this spiritual calling. It affirms that we are fallible yet capable, limited yet transformational. In that light, Christian Transhumanism is a bold rediscovery of our original vocation:
Image-bearers. Co-creators. Knowledge seekers. Hope builders.
As we grow in the knowledge and love of God, we see humanity transformed by the creation of knowledge, as Bacon said, ‘by the sweat of our brow’. Explanatory Knowledge will continue to be our powerful undergirding in:
· Uplifting the downtrodden across the planet and ending poverty
· Healing diseases and building on the Christian tradition of hospitals
· How our societies can function as a reflection of the Body of Christ
· Defining the archetypes by which ASI will be a blessing to humanity
Let us pursue explanatory knowledge—in science, in theology, and in love.