Bryan Johnson’s new religion

“I am building a religion,” it was announced on X this past week.

When was the last time you saw that kind of candor? The statement was provocative and honest. Bryan Johnson is the founder of Don’t Die, “history’s fastest-growing ideology.” What is a religion? For Johnson, it’s “a comprehensive framework.” Why does the world need a new religion? Because “all existing frameworks are too narrow … democracy governs civic matters, capitalism dictates wealth, and religion cares for the soul.” But, Don’t Die, for Johnson, is “the grand unifying theory of existence.”

How do you join Don’t Die? Easy, Don’t Die is launching 1,000 small groups all around the world. You can volunteer right now as a community leader.

Are there Scriptures? Is there a sacred, unifying text? You can download the Don’t Die App and receive your authoritative assessment and hear directly from the prophet.

Are there Sacraments? Are there holy practices that convey grace to participants? Yes, “practically speaking this means 1) going to bed on time, exercising daily, and eating nutritiously, 2) measuring and improving every organ in my body, and 3) eliminating toxins, lowering stress, being with family and friends.”

Is there a notion of Sin? Yes. Violating the sacramental practices. Skipping a workout, staying out late, and ingesting toxins.

Is Don’t Die hospitable to other belief systems? “Yes,” says the prophet. “You can be a Christian and Don’t Die. You can be capitalist, socialist, atheist … and Don’t Die.”

But is the new religion of Don’t Die compatible with Christianity? Yes and no.

In the sense that Don’t Die is recommending we take seriously the pursuit of health and wellness, then yes. If anything, the present resurgence around bodily health and the agency we have in preserving our whole selves should be praised by those who value the human as an image-bearer of God. This activity is not just blessed, but required, by the Scriptures: The Sixth Commandment, thou shalt not kill, was understood by the Reformers to forbid not only active, unjust killing, but passive, foolish killing as well: “The duties required in the Sixth Commandment are, all careful studies, and lawful endeavors, to preserve the life of ourselves ... [and] a sober use of meat, drink, physical, sleep, labour, and recreations” (Westminster Larger Catechism question 135). For that reason, the Christian can affirm limited aspects of what Bryan Johnson is trying to do.

On the other hand, the syncretism proposed by Johnson is folly. The Christian knows “it is appointed for man to die” (Hebrews 9:27) and, “to live is Christ, but to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). The controlling fear of death and the worship of youth is incompatible with the Christian picture of life, life after death, and the resurrection vision of the New Heavens and New Earth. Don’t Die is a lie, a false promise, a false hope, and ultimate naivety. Live Longer? Sure. Don’t Die? Don’t kid yourself. Death is not a technological problem that engineering can solve but a theological reality and a consequence of sin.

What we see in the new religion of Don’t Die is simply another version of what the author of Hebrews says about how Jesus “himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery” (Hebrews 2:14-15).

How is it that fear of death creates slavery? For some, it creates a slavery to pleasure—because nothing happens when you die, you have to “get it while you can.” For others, like Johnson, it creates slavery to non-pleasure: because pizza, wings, and a late night with friends will drop your Don’t Die score, you’d better not indulge. “There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind: a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them” (Ecclesiastes 6:2).

So, could Christians receive the challenge from Johnson to consider and pursue bodily health with veracity? Yes. Can Christians join the new Don’t Die religion without compromising their Christianity as Johnson offers? No. If we ever find ourselves out of sync with the Apostle Paul who says his “desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better” (Philippians 1:23), we’ve forgotten that we are sojourners here on the earth and must repent. Health is about stewardship, not salvation.