The Bible discusses the importance of stewardship over many things, from the environment to our finances. This command also applies to our bodies, as they are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Johnson correctly notes that we in Western nations have so many unhealthy habits we must break, from the kind and amount of food we eat to the time we spend sitting inactive behind screens. Johnson’s self-control and dedication to his health are admirable. However, our bodies are temples, not gods themselves. Like any good thing, health can easily turn into an idol. As many of Johnson’s critics state, he’s using all of his time to add more time to his life. Why not just enjoy the time he has? We wonder if he truly desires to live forever or if this is just what gives him meaning and purpose in life. Health is good. Health-ism, an idolatrous obsession with physical health, is bad.
Don’t Die traces Johnson’s life, from his upbringing as a Mormon to his explosive success as a tech entrepreneur to his mental and emotional collapse from the pressures of work and life. Divorce from his wife and the spiritual divorce of him leaving the Mormon faith brought him to rock bottom, leaving him utterly alone and hopeless. The documentary presents Johnson as someone who is constantly searching for something, whether it is purpose or relationship. Indeed, this is something that we all desire. We were created for community. We see the happiness that Johnson gets from finally reconnecting with his son after many years estranged and finding community with other anti-aging devotees.
Avoiding Death vs. Eternal Life
As important as purpose and community are, they still are not the most important things in life. After leaving the Mormon church, Johnson had a spiritual void in his life and it seems that anti-aging has become a surrogate religion for him. Many religions promise an eternal life after death; Johnson seeks to live forever in this life—or at least to stave off death as long as possible. But eternal life refers not just to a quantity of life but also the quality of life. Jesus came so we “may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). He said, “this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). Johnson realized that a long life is pointless without love and community. But even having a loving family and friends is not enough. We were created for a relationship with our Creator.
In fact, living forever in our current state is a bad thing. The consequence of Adam’s and Eve’s disobedience against God was exile and eventual death, which extends to all of us because of our sin (Genesis 2:17, Romans 6:23). God then banished the couple from the garden so they could no longer eat from the Tree of Life and live forever (Genesis 3:22). Why would God do this? So they wouldn’t live forever in their sin and its effects, separated from God. God sent his Son to die for us so that when those of us who have placed our trust in him die, we get to enjoy unity with him forever, never to be separated from him again. Our greatest need is not to avoid death, but to restore our broken relationships with our Creator.
This is what Johnson gets very wrong. Maybe he will eventually crack the code to get humans to physically live forever in perfect health. However, apart from God, we would still be dead spiritually. Even if we gain everything this world has to offer—health, fame, fortune—it is ultimately worthless. Paul said that his education, status, and perfect religious adherence were nothing compared to knowing Christ (Philippians 3:4–8). As Jesus said, “what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36).
Paul also said, “while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8). Health is important, but it isn’t what’s most important. And if we do want to live forever in perfect health, science, technology, and fitness are not the means to achieving that—following Christ is. We will be resurrected in bodies that are full of power and glory (1 Corinthians 15:42–44). When the dead in Christ receive their resurrected bodies and enter the restored creation, God “will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
How to Gain Eternal Life
Don’t Die is the story of a man searching for meaning and community by avoiding death via extreme means. Is Johnson just a fraud seeking wealth and attention, as many of his critics claim? Only he knows for sure. But the documentary shows us that even eccentric millionaires have the same basic desires for love and purpose. Most importantly, we all have a built-in desire to live forever—a desire for eternity. Johnson thinks his Project Blueprint is the way to prevent dying, but only Jesus is the way to eternal life (John 3:16, 6:68, 14:6).