Word or World (Part 2)
In connuing the conversation from last week, we want to look at how the Word would have us to use technology versus the seular mindset. Now, one might be reading this and thinking, "since when is computer technology addressed in Scriptre? And even more, how can Scripture really even make a line between what is profitable versus what is not? Isn't personal technology personal?" Let's take a look at those three questions.
Since when is computer technology addressed in Scripture?
To be blunt, it is not. Nor is martial arts, how to write on a website, or even how to write a business plan. So how can Scripture address this computing genertation? The same way every generation is addressed, through the eyes of needs and pride. Leviticus 26 is speaking to the emerging Isrealite culture and warns them to not form any idols before them, and to put away the idols of other nations else the Lord will withold from the land the means for them to prosper. In a similar way we can look at technology. If we invest our time and money in administring, tinkering, "playing" with this technology, we compromise the means that God has given us to suitably use the resources of the land to bring Him glory.
How can Scripture make a line between what is profitable with technology and what is not?
One of the hardest things that I had to do when I lost a PDA to water damage was to sit back and assess if I really needed a PDA to do all that I did. Was it more convienent? Yes. But was it needed? Probably not. While I did suffer some mentally, I was able to adapt to limited computing and then use - agast!!! - paper and pen to get things done. Yes, it was less convient, but the time that I was not spending on PDA websites looking for the latest software and the money that I saved not buying accessories or software was able to go to friends and family who had needs much more reaching than that of a PDA. It reminds me some of when Jesus told the disciples to go out and not take anything with them. Believe that the Lord has given you what you need and count anything that you get on the journey as a blessing from that journey. For me this was a vital lesson, and one that really turned my mind in terms of what PDA really should mean outside of my personal gain.
And that brings us to the last question: isn't technology personal? How can God meter something that is personal?
Psalm 24:1
Psalm 50:10-12
Those are just a few oft quoted verses but they do make the point. Regardless of how it came into your hands, the ability to create and to make that piece of technology in your hands, in front of your eyes, or that you drive came from the Lord. There is a Scripture I hear quoted a lot that says there is no private intrepretation of the Word because it came only to man in old times as it was spoken to them from God. I like to think that in the same way we are gifted with mobile technology not out of our own doing but because it was scripted from before the beginnings of time that this is how God would use a part of His people to show is glory to the world. And the last time I looked, I didn't see the world wanting to give God praise for anything that wasn't aimed at building up self.
The next time we look at this subject of the two views of technology, we will look at how we can respond to the differences in view in light of examples in Scripture and history. See ya then :-)
- sent from Treo
In connuing the conversation from last week, we want to look at how the Word would have us to use technology versus the seular mindset. Now, one might be reading this and thinking, "since when is computer technology addressed in Scriptre? And even more, how can Scripture really even make a line between what is profitable versus what is not? Isn't personal technology personal?" Let's take a look at those three questions.Since when is computer technology addressed in Scripture?
To be blunt, it is not. Nor is martial arts, how to write on a website, or even how to write a business plan. So how can Scripture address this computing genertation? The same way every generation is addressed, through the eyes of needs and pride. Leviticus 26 is speaking to the emerging Isrealite culture and warns them to not form any idols before them, and to put away the idols of other nations else the Lord will withold from the land the means for them to prosper. In a similar way we can look at technology. If we invest our time and money in administring, tinkering, "playing" with this technology, we compromise the means that God has given us to suitably use the resources of the land to bring Him glory.
How can Scripture make a line between what is profitable with technology and what is not?
One of the hardest things that I had to do when I lost a PDA to water damage was to sit back and assess if I really needed a PDA to do all that I did. Was it more convienent? Yes. But was it needed? Probably not. While I did suffer some mentally, I was able to adapt to limited computing and then use - agast!!! - paper and pen to get things done. Yes, it was less convient, but the time that I was not spending on PDA websites looking for the latest software and the money that I saved not buying accessories or software was able to go to friends and family who had needs much more reaching than that of a PDA. It reminds me some of when Jesus told the disciples to go out and not take anything with them. Believe that the Lord has given you what you need and count anything that you get on the journey as a blessing from that journey. For me this was a vital lesson, and one that really turned my mind in terms of what PDA really should mean outside of my personal gain.
And that brings us to the last question: isn't technology personal? How can God meter something that is personal?
Psalm 24:1
Psalm 50:10-12
Those are just a few oft quoted verses but they do make the point. Regardless of how it came into your hands, the ability to create and to make that piece of technology in your hands, in front of your eyes, or that you drive came from the Lord. There is a Scripture I hear quoted a lot that says there is no private intrepretation of the Word because it came only to man in old times as it was spoken to them from God. I like to think that in the same way we are gifted with mobile technology not out of our own doing but because it was scripted from before the beginnings of time that this is how God would use a part of His people to show is glory to the world. And the last time I looked, I didn't see the world wanting to give God praise for anything that wasn't aimed at building up self.
The next time we look at this subject of the two views of technology, we will look at how we can respond to the differences in view in light of examples in Scripture and history. See ya then :-)
- sent from Treo
posted by Antoine @ 5/11/2006 09:04:00 PM
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