Watching the news last night, I heard a lot about Steve Jobs and his death. When we think about the technological world in which we live, it's hard not to see his fingerprints all over it. While I am not a huge Apple person, I use my ipod pretty much every day, especially when I run, and I frequently listen to songs on my itunes player.
That really got me to wondering. We have so much technology in these days, and how does that technology relate to God and His work in our lives? In some cases, it seems that technology and God are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Technology often seems to be about discovery, about knowing more, and about human potential. Technology and faith matters seem to create lots of gray areas, especially when we think about things like cloning, in vitro fertilization, artificial human body parts, and the extension of life. Some of these questions are not easily answered, and, in reality, we may not know what God would say about some of the particulars while we live this life on earth.
Yet, at the same time, technology and God also seem to fit hand in hand in some ways. God demonstrated His creativeness when He made the various life forms present in this world. He gave some of that creative ability to His creation, as they not only reproduced and multiplied, but as they also learned about this world and came to a greater understanding of how God is at work here. In fact, much of today's technology should be thankful for those Christians who studied this world and laid the foundation for modern day science and learning.
God created us to learn and to grow and to be creative. That would seem to suggest that God isn't necessarily opposed to technology. When His people are able to connect with one another and provide resources that help and assist in the faith, that would seem to be something He would desire. And yet, when technology starts to become the goal of life, or when it starts to take over responsibilities that we are supposed to have for ourselves, then it becomes a dangerous thing.
Overall, it seems that technology has both its good points and its warnings. Technology is never to become the thing in which we put our faith. That role belongs to God, and to God alone. When technology assists people in knowing God, in growing in their faith, and in connecting with one another, then it seems to serve a purpose in line with what God would intend. When it crosses the line and becomes something to control life, or when we start to put our faith in technology rather than in God, then it becomes a false god, and a danger to us.
I'm thankful for the contributions that Steve Jobs has made in our world. He demonstrated the creativity that God seems to have put inside all of us. While I do not know his particular faith life, I can say that there are many Christians throughout this world who are thankful for his contributions, and how they have helped people grow in their faith in God and Christ Jesus.
That really got me to wondering. We have so much technology in these days, and how does that technology relate to God and His work in our lives? In some cases, it seems that technology and God are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Technology often seems to be about discovery, about knowing more, and about human potential. Technology and faith matters seem to create lots of gray areas, especially when we think about things like cloning, in vitro fertilization, artificial human body parts, and the extension of life. Some of these questions are not easily answered, and, in reality, we may not know what God would say about some of the particulars while we live this life on earth.
Yet, at the same time, technology and God also seem to fit hand in hand in some ways. God demonstrated His creativeness when He made the various life forms present in this world. He gave some of that creative ability to His creation, as they not only reproduced and multiplied, but as they also learned about this world and came to a greater understanding of how God is at work here. In fact, much of today's technology should be thankful for those Christians who studied this world and laid the foundation for modern day science and learning.
God created us to learn and to grow and to be creative. That would seem to suggest that God isn't necessarily opposed to technology. When His people are able to connect with one another and provide resources that help and assist in the faith, that would seem to be something He would desire. And yet, when technology starts to become the goal of life, or when it starts to take over responsibilities that we are supposed to have for ourselves, then it becomes a dangerous thing.
Overall, it seems that technology has both its good points and its warnings. Technology is never to become the thing in which we put our faith. That role belongs to God, and to God alone. When technology assists people in knowing God, in growing in their faith, and in connecting with one another, then it seems to serve a purpose in line with what God would intend. When it crosses the line and becomes something to control life, or when we start to put our faith in technology rather than in God, then it becomes a false god, and a danger to us.
I'm thankful for the contributions that Steve Jobs has made in our world. He demonstrated the creativity that God seems to have put inside all of us. While I do not know his particular faith life, I can say that there are many Christians throughout this world who are thankful for his contributions, and how they have helped people grow in their faith in God and Christ Jesus.
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