Redeeming Technology, Part 1: The Theology of Technology
Nov 22, 2023
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Exploring the Christian theology of technology, including the Christian perspective on technology, the impact of technology on architecture, family life, and idolatry, the negative impact of technology and the Christian response.
Technology, driven by sinful efficiency, has amplified the destructive power of humanity, leading to more harm than good.
Technology, being an extension of human agency, tends towards evil as humans themselves are morally fallen.
Deep dives
The Purpose of Technology and its Impact on Creation
Technology, originally designed as the ingenuity and advancement of image-bearers, was meant to fulfill the mandate of glorifying God and bringing peace to creation. However, after the fall, technology became the product of fallen image-bearers pursuing their own glory, resulting in harm to creation. Technological advancements driven by sinful efficiency have amplified the destructive power of humanity, leading to greater harm than good. It is crucial to discern the indiscernible consequences of living in a technological age and recognize how efficiency-driven technology has remade humanity in service to itself.
The Morally Neutral Nature of Technology and Human Agency
Technology itself is morally neutral, and its goodness or evilness is determined by how it is instrumentally used. This instrumental value of technology reflects the morality or immorality of its human users. However, humans are not morally neutral but morally fallen, tending towards evil. Consequently, technology, being an extension of human agency, also tends towards evil. Despite advancements bringing some good, the overall impact of human progress has resulted in more harm than flourishing. This is evident in the destructive power of efficient technology, whether in weapons or unnoticed societal changes like the breakdown of the family unit.
Technology as the Ultimate Idol and its Mastery over Humans
Humanity's refusal to worship and serve God has led to the creation and worship of idols, particularly the idol of human advancement. This idolatry has given rise to an idolatrous technological age where technology, driven by efficiency, has achieved an illusion of godlike power and control. As humans serve their technological creations, these creations, in turn, shape and control humanity. The technique of technology, its ability to remold humanity, presents a danger that surpasses concerns about artificial intelligence. Our constant reliance on technology and obsession with efficiency are evidence that technology already masters us and directs our actions.
Virtually every aspect of our lives is influenced by technology. It is all-encompassing, and yet there is relatively little written about how to honor Christ through our devices. The aim of this series on technology is to help Christians redeem the technology in their lives, and this introductory episode starts off the series by diving deep into the Christian theology of technology.
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