This is a post from BibleTech, a conference focused on the intersection of the Bible and Technology. The conference was held March 25-26th, 2011 in Seattle Washington. Check them out at BibleTechConference.com
Matthew Clarke is an Australian with a passion for both technology and scripture. His session gave us an overview of references to technology in scripture.
He began by defining technology as tools and techniques and extensions of human abilities. Working with that definition we can find many references in scripture to weapons and wheels and parchment, and of course the many forms of technology that would have been necessary to build the tower of Babel.
We are more dependent on technology than at any other point in history, and this causes us to rely more on technology than on God. Clarke reminded us that God’s purposes can be achieved without the use of technology. God can simply speak things into being. Technology can lead us to assume that we have no need for God and then it becomes idolatry.
Clarke reminded us that “Being a technologist is a holy calling… Modern technologists need to recognize that the abilities we use to serve God were given by God in the first place.”
Dustin W. Stout says
I agree. I LOVE technology and what it allows us to accomplish, but it can be a distraction, a crutch, or an idol. The human heart is an idol-factory, and anything can become an idol.
I’ve actually had it in mind to write a blog post about the use of technology during church (i.e. taking notes on your iPhone during service, or using YouVersion as your bible during church…). I will definitely reference this post.