I think it would be fair to say that a number of Christians in the older age bracket, and even some youth, view technology with a bit of scepticism. We view the creation, the untarnished, the natural, the simple, as being closer to God. God provided the building blocks of nature, the source of our food, the source of our livelihood, the environment we live in. To be close to God, we seek solitude, simplicity, peace and quiet, and getting back to nature.
Then we frequently see what people do to mess things up, to damage, to destroy (even unthinkingly and unintentionally), and it is not surprising that we question human intervention in anything that was God-made or inspired.
So it isn’t surprising that people will question the benefit of technology in the work of the Gospel. This isn’t even a new reaction. People were suspicious of the printing press. God’s word had previously been painstakingly written by hand, by learned men of God, and before that oral tradition ruled and literacy levels were low or non-existent. It was even thought by some that reading words that had been printed, and not handwritten by zealous monks, was somehow less holy or meaningful. But the lack of books kept power with the few, and limited knowledge to those who were wealthy enough to have education.
The printing press was put to work – in the work of God. It made the word of God accessible to thousands, and then millions, of people who had never read a word of it before. Johannes Gutenburg began his Bible project in 1452 with the printing of 200 copies of the Bible, and the world has never looked back. This new technology started a revolution in knowledge, education, and scholarship. The Gospel was at that time the stimulus for technology and the stimulus for exploration and expansion. The work of missionaries in centuries to come was largely made possible by the printed word fuelling education & understanding among the faithful, and transport to far flung places becoming easier due to technology and advances in knowledge.
As with anything, inventions and technology can be put to bad use as much as good. It is more a matter of the motivation and intention of people using it than the technology itself that is the problem. Colossians 3:23 says “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”.
The internet, social media, smart phones, smart TVs, widespread use of computers and a computer literate society, have encouraged a large number of adults and children in our culture to become reliant and even dependent on modern technology. How do you wisely use and manage these media for communication, for learning and for living? Let’s not forget the power of a touch, a hug, a real card or an in-person message. If you are worshipping in a Church, let’s not forget the need to gather together, to fellowship in person.
With prayer and understanding we can strive for the right balance. We can use email, phones and social media to encourage, to fellowship, to build our prayer list and minister to each other when we are not able to be there in person. We can use technology to bring God into people’s lives instead of shutting Him out. Our messages can cross borders, seas and cultures in moments.
Colossians 3 verse 17 says: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” We have a God-given ability for invention, thinking and creativity. Let’s make sure we are employing it for good.