Technology purpose and the biblical narrative
God's big story framework.
CREATION FALL REDEMPTION RESTORATION
Ask these questions in regard to technology.
Creation
So we see that God is a creator – he makes things. And one of the pinnacles of his creation is that he creates men and women, and he creates us in his image, so that we too will be creators who in turn like to make things. As we master the world around us and bring our ingenuity to bear on the problems that we face, we’re actually reflecting something of the image of God, and that’s a good thing and a right thing. (Geers 2013) Fall And technology has perhaps a greater-than-average risk of being turned into an idol because it is so powerful in extending our abilities and what we’re able to achieve – it promises to help make us a little more like God, and overcome our finiteness and weakness. And that’s something we need to be aware of and pray against. It can be that the technology is an idol in itself (the latest iDols from Apple, perhaps?) or they can enable other idols, such as my pride, as I project an image of living the most remarkable life imaginable on Facebook, or lust, in the form of Internet pornography and so on. (Geers 2013) Redemption Since computer technology is here to stay, retreat from it seems neither required nor appropriate. "There comes a time when the church of Jesus Christ has to be bold enough to lay claim to a new medium. " Claiming a new medium, though, goes beyond just mere use of the medium. It involves understanding how the medium works. As Groothuis has pointed out, unless we subject all means of communication to metaphysical and epistemological analysis in accordance with our Christian perspective, "we may mismatch the message with the medium and fail to glorify God in our stewardship of the resources at our disposal " (Global Christian Centre 2013) Restoration I believe technology is a resource that we can use for God’s glory. Here’s three ways technology enables the church’s mission. (Stetzer 2014) 1. Technology Enables Communication: Through Facebook and Twitter or through a church blog, I can easily communicate directly with the people in my congregation, throughout the day and week. 2. Technology Enables Community: Technology allows a greater sense of community that doesn’t demand proximity. Proximity isn’t required for community. 3. Technology Enables Discipleship: Our church has an app where people can actually access the sermon outline, and people use their phones or iPads to follow along and take notes. Technology enables members and attendees to enhance their discipleship experience at church. |
Creation
In 1831 electricity became viable for use in technology when Michael Faraday created the electric dynamo (a crude power generator), which solved the problem of generating electric current in an ongoing and practical way. This opened the door to American Thomas Edison and British scientist Joseph Swan who each invented the incandescent filament light bulb in their respective countries in about 1878. Previously, light bulbs had been invented by others, but the incandescent bulb was the first practical bulb that would light for hours on end. (Universe Today 2017) Hospitals, police, armies and governments rely on electrical power to assist, protect, govern and communicate. Electrical power is so important that the White House noted in a 2012 blog post, "protecting the electric system from cyber threats and ensuring its resilience are vital to our national security and economic well-being." The nation's electric grid consists of 450,000 miles of transmission lines connecting transformers, power plants and consumers. (Sciencing 2018) Fall Power plants that burn biomass release sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, two undesirable pollutants, into the air. Power plants that burn fossil fuel pump carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that causes Earth's temperature to rise. Nuclear power plants must find ways to dispose of radioactive waste safely. Building dams to create hydropower plants can affect wildlife and natural resources adversely. (Sciencing 2018) Redemption Our religious traditions remind us of our responsibility to care for the earth as a precious gift. If we want to protect life on earth, we must move quickly to renewable energy and leave most of our coal, oil and gas in the ground. Instead, Australia is one of the most carbon-intensive economies in the world. Our religious institutions can play a powerful role in moving Australia's economy out of fossil fuels and into clean energy and we can influence those to which we belong to Go Fossil Free. Australian Religious Response to climate Change (ARRAC 2018) Restoration The Renewable Energy Target (RET) is an Australian Government scheme designed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in the electricity sector and encourage the additional generation of electricity from sustainable and renewable sources. (Dept of Environment & Energy 2018) In 2015 over 140 countries submitted to the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariat their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) to combat climate change. Together, these would lead to an 8% per capita reduction in CO2 emissions by 2025 and 9% by 2030. The role of India and China INDCs is noteworthy here. Regarding solar capacity, India pledged 246 GWe and China 352 GWe by 2030 on top of present world 178 GWe. Regarding wind, China pledged 345 GWe and India 78 GWe capacity by 2030 on top of 2015 world capacity. (World Nuclear organisation 2018) |
Responsible IT use
scripture references
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Luke 6: 45
A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
1 Thessalonians 5:15
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
Titus 2: 6,7
Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
Galatians 5: 22,23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Matthew 22: 37-40
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[c] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’[d] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Luke 6: 45
A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
1 Thessalonians 5:15
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
Titus 2: 6,7
Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
Galatians 5: 22,23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Matthew 22: 37-40
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[c] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’[d] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”