Episode Details

If it’s not one creepy critter, it’s another, here in Monster Month. Next to rise up moaning, not from the crypt but from the secret lab, it’s mad scientists. Whether it’s Victor Frankenstein from Frankenstein, or all those Marvel villains, or the folks who let loose dinosaurs from Jurassic Park—or the scientists actively trying to experiment on mutilating humans in the real world—mad science just won’t stop. What’s unique about these monsters and the monsters they make? Why do they seem to take the Devil’s promise, “you will be like God,” as their gospel?

Subscribe to Lorehaven

articles • news • library • reviews • podcast • gifts • guild

Episode sponsors

1. Oasis Family Media: Frankenstein adapted by A. S. Peterson (Amazon, Audible, SoundCloud)
2. Mountain Brook Fire: Wraithwood by Alyssa Roat (audiobook, ebook, paperback)
3. David Umstattd, The Pilgrim’s Progress Reloaded podcast

Concession stand

• In episode 60, we asked why real researchers don’t heed stories’ warnings.
• We surveyed ideas of gene editing, sentient robots, and transhumanism.
• Much of that episode was all about the “what.” Now we ask: Why?
• In this one, we’ll focus more on the fictional/real “mad scientist” figure.
• Many stories ignore this once-popular villain. Science is good, you see.
• Old Marvel: Dr. Osborne goes “back to formula,” and goes mad.
• New Marvel: Tony Stark makes a monster, then tries again, makes a hero.
• New Marvel, again: Peter Parker uses science to try curing all the villains.
• We assume (not try to prove) mad scientists want to make monsters.
• Our only question is: why? So today we will focus on human idols.
• Our key assumption here is that man is sinful, as the Scripture says.
• Science, like man, started out good. But any good thing can get twisted.
• Lewis in The Great Divorce says strongest fallen angels make fiercer devils.
• Thus we do assume this truism: mad scientists are the real monsters.
• Finally, some of this touches on politics. But we’ll try to focus on culture.

1. Mad-science monsters want power.

• Many Christians fear human power, and this is one reason why.
• We’ve had years of people (rightly and wrongly) fearing this bad power.
• But this challenge is far older than all the recent political disputes.
• Whether it’s climatology or war-planning, scientists like being in control.
• Stephen’s Tshirt says, “God created science!” It’s a good power to have.
• And hey, being in control is fun. I like it, even planning Lorehaven stuff.
• But this gets more dangerous when you have authority over others.
• Scripture recognizes this about kings and even soldiers (cf. Luke 7:8).
• Kings are a good idea. Organizations are necessary. Order > disorder.
• But we derive this power from God. We