God, Technology, and the Christian Life

1. Technology originates from God's creation and patterns

God teaches us how to scale agriculture to meet human demand.

Divine instruction. The Creator embedded patterns and possibilities within creation for humans to discover and harness. From ancient farming techniques to modern rocket science, our innovations trace back to God's design. He is the ultimate inventor, having coded every technological possibility into the created order.

Human discovery. Our role as innovators is to uncover and apply these latent patterns. Scientists act as "priests of creation," interpreting the "books of nature written by the finger of God." Even seemingly groundbreaking technologies like artificial intelligence or genetic engineering operate within the boundaries set by the Creator.

• Examples of God's patterns in human tech:
  • Nuclear fusion (patterned after the sun)
  • GPS satellites (inspired by celestial navigation)
  • Biological data storage (modeled on DNA)

2. Human innovation amplifies our native powers but cannot satisfy our souls

If God is the center of your life, technology is a great gift. If technology is your savior, you're lost.

Amplified abilities. Technology extends our natural capacities, allowing us to accomplish feats far beyond our physical limitations. From simple tools like the wheel to complex systems like the Internet, innovations magnify human potential and reshape our experience of the world.

Spiritual void. However, no amount of technological progress can fill the God-shaped hole in our hearts. The constant pursuit of the next gadget or upgrade often leaves us feeling empty and discontent. True fulfillment comes not from mastering technology, but from knowing and treasuring the Creator.

• Signs of tech-induced discontent:
  • Constant upgrades and new "needs"
  • Anxiety when disconnected
  • Seeking identity and purpose in devices

3. God remains sovereign over all technological advancements

No innovator and no innovation can ultimately save you.

Divine governance. Despite appearances, even the most powerful technologies remain under God's control. He creates both the inventors and the wielders of technology, orchestrating all things according to His purposes. This includes seemingly destructive innovations, which He can use for redemptive ends.

Human limitations. Our most ambitious projects, from ancient Babel to modern Silicon Valley, cannot overthrow God's sovereignty. He sets the boundaries of what is possible within creation and can intervene to redirect or halt human endeavors at any time.

• Examples of God's sovereignty in tech:
  • Babel's dispersion leading to cultural diversity
  • The cross (a Roman execution technology) becoming the means of salvation
  • Potential divine limits on transhumanist aspirations

4. Christians should engage with technology wisely, not fearfully

We are not called to understand all technologies and their uses. Nor must we retreat from technological culture. We live within it.

Balanced approach. While recognizing technology's potential dangers, Christians need not adopt a stance of fear or wholesale rejection. Instead, we're called to thoughtful engagement, leveraging innovations for good while resisting their idolatrous tendencies.

Cultural leaven. Like the early Christians in Babylon, believers today can seek the welfare of their tech-driven cities while maintaining distinct values. This involves both utilizing and critiquing technology from a biblical perspective.

• Principles for wise tech engagement:
  • Evaluate based on impact on family and community
  • Adopt minimally and intentionally
  • Use technology to serve others and glorify God

5. The Gospel of Technology offers false promises of control and immortality

Technological "progress" rarely slows down for unanswered ethical questions.

Techno-utopianism. The modern tech industry often promotes a quasi-religious narrative of human self-improvement and eventual immortality through technological means. This "Gospel of Technology" promises salvation through algorithms, genetic engineering, and artificial intelligence.

Ethical blindness. In its relentless pursuit of progress, the tech world frequently overlooks or dismisses crucial ethical considerations. Christians must bring wisdom and moral clarity to these discussions, grounding them in timeless truths about human nature and purpose.

• False promises of the Gospel of Technology:
  • Overcoming death through science
  • Achieving godlike control over nature and ourselves
  • Finding ultimate meaning in human innovation

6. Wisdom for the tech age comes from fearing God, not mastering gadgets

Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.

True wisdom's source. While technology can grant knowledge and power, it cannot provide the wisdom needed to use them rightly. This wisdom comes from reverence for God and obedience to His ways, not from technical mastery or scientific discovery.

Reorienting priorities. In a culture that worships innovation and progress, Christians must maintain a God-centered perspective. This means valuing eternal truths over fleeting trends and seeking first the kingdom of God amidst technological distractions.

• Practical ways to cultivate wisdom:
  • Regular Scripture study and prayer
  • Sabbath rest from technology
  • Seeking counsel from spiritually mature believers

7. Technology should serve human flourishing and communion with God

Technologies are wonderful. The potent computer chip changes everything. The power of digital cameras is spellbinding. The smartphone is stunning. The Internet that joins together Christians from across the globe is remarkable.

Tools for good. When rightly used, technology can be a powerful means of enhancing human life and facilitating deeper relationships with God and others. Innovations in communication, medicine, and other fields have the potential to alleviate suffering and expand our capacity for love and service.

Spiritual discernment. The challenge lies in distinguishing between technologies that truly serve human flourishing and those that subtly dehumanize or isolate us. Christians must continually evaluate tech usage in light of biblical values and eternal purposes.

• Questions for evaluating technology:
  • Does it enhance or hinder relationships?
  • Does it support or undermine human dignity?
  • Does it draw us closer to or further from God?

8. Christians are called to be tech-savvy yet spiritually grounded

Our worship cannot stop Babylon, but it will threaten her to the point of bloodshed. Babylon will kill our prophets and slaughter our saints, but Babylon will never stop our worship.

Dual citizenship. Believers in the tech age must navigate a complex reality, living as citizens of both the digital world and the kingdom of God. This requires developing technological competence while maintaining spiritual vitality and distinctiveness.

Counter-cultural witness. By demonstrating a life centered on Christ rather than gadgets, Christians offer a powerful alternative to the tech-obsessed culture. This may involve strategic limitation of certain technologies and intentional cultivation of "analog" spiritual practices.

• Balancing tech engagement and spiritual grounding:
  • Set boundaries on device usage
  • Prioritize face-to-face community
  • Practice regular digital fasts or "Sabbaths"
  • Use technology as a tool for ministry and outreach

Last updated: November 2, 2024