Digitized: Spiritual Implications of Technology, by Bernard Bull, Concordia Publishing House, 2018
How often do you think about technology? Chances are, you think about it quite often in our day and age. Technology is an intricate part of our lives these days. Every day, new technologies and new media are coming forth at a dizzying pace. As we adopt technology into our lives, we seem to rarely consider how we are being shaped by it.
In Digitized, Bernard Bull challenges the reader to give consideration to the technology and media that are part of their lives. Bull isn't against technology by any means. In fact, in service to the salvation Jesus purchased for us on the cross and the resurrection, technology and media can be a tremendous asset. Yet, just as there are great possibilities, there are also great challenges. Technology and media can begin to consume our lives and, in doing so, can actually creep toward becoming idols.
Bull presents a number of thoughts that are worth considering, and I will likely touch on some of these in future posts. One thing he asserts is that every technology is not neutral, but has its bias. That is, every technology is created to perform a function and in performing that function, it means that it is not suitable for other functions. For example, a hammer is a technology created to hit things. Its bias is toward hitting things. It doesn't do very well as a back scratcher or to dust your house. We can see the same thing with other technology. It has its biases, and how we utilize it according to its purpose means that we are being shaped by it.
Bull also presents another thought that we may not always consider. Every technology has its affordances. That is, particular technologies bring to light things that are beneficial. However, there are also limitations that technology brings. We typically focus mostly on the affordances, but spend less time on the limitations. If you spend, for example, time on Facebook connecting with other people, that is an affordance. However, you might also consider that it limits the time you are spending with your family, or doing another task around your house that may need to be done. Giving thought to the limitations might help bring the use of technology into a greater perspective.
While Bull gives the reader many different points to consider when it comes to technology use (and these are vastly needed in our day and age), the main thing that he urges the reader to do is to approach all technology with the Scriptures open in front of them. Technology is not neutral. Therefore, as Christians, we need to be examining technology and our use of it with God's Word being a constant that we consult. It's not just merely about the content of the technology, but even the technology itself, and especially our use of technology. Having the reminder that we are redeemed children of God through the sacrifice of Jesus and His resurrection helps us as Christians to focus our use of technology in ways that serve God and our neighbor, and even provides a forum for us to ask for forgiveness when we find technology assuming too large a role in our lives.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who regularly uses technology (that means you). You'll find yourself challenged by it, but in a very good way.
How often do you think about technology? Chances are, you think about it quite often in our day and age. Technology is an intricate part of our lives these days. Every day, new technologies and new media are coming forth at a dizzying pace. As we adopt technology into our lives, we seem to rarely consider how we are being shaped by it.
In Digitized, Bernard Bull challenges the reader to give consideration to the technology and media that are part of their lives. Bull isn't against technology by any means. In fact, in service to the salvation Jesus purchased for us on the cross and the resurrection, technology and media can be a tremendous asset. Yet, just as there are great possibilities, there are also great challenges. Technology and media can begin to consume our lives and, in doing so, can actually creep toward becoming idols.
Bull presents a number of thoughts that are worth considering, and I will likely touch on some of these in future posts. One thing he asserts is that every technology is not neutral, but has its bias. That is, every technology is created to perform a function and in performing that function, it means that it is not suitable for other functions. For example, a hammer is a technology created to hit things. Its bias is toward hitting things. It doesn't do very well as a back scratcher or to dust your house. We can see the same thing with other technology. It has its biases, and how we utilize it according to its purpose means that we are being shaped by it.
Bull also presents another thought that we may not always consider. Every technology has its affordances. That is, particular technologies bring to light things that are beneficial. However, there are also limitations that technology brings. We typically focus mostly on the affordances, but spend less time on the limitations. If you spend, for example, time on Facebook connecting with other people, that is an affordance. However, you might also consider that it limits the time you are spending with your family, or doing another task around your house that may need to be done. Giving thought to the limitations might help bring the use of technology into a greater perspective.
While Bull gives the reader many different points to consider when it comes to technology use (and these are vastly needed in our day and age), the main thing that he urges the reader to do is to approach all technology with the Scriptures open in front of them. Technology is not neutral. Therefore, as Christians, we need to be examining technology and our use of it with God's Word being a constant that we consult. It's not just merely about the content of the technology, but even the technology itself, and especially our use of technology. Having the reminder that we are redeemed children of God through the sacrifice of Jesus and His resurrection helps us as Christians to focus our use of technology in ways that serve God and our neighbor, and even provides a forum for us to ask for forgiveness when we find technology assuming too large a role in our lives.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who regularly uses technology (that means you). You'll find yourself challenged by it, but in a very good way.
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