As technology advances at a rapid pace, it seems that many of life's facets are being fundamentally altered. This has lead some to question how Christians should approach the progress in technology. For a Christian, it is important to remember our central purpose and hope: Christ and the Gospel. Therefore, the question of how we should handle technological development should be a question of how this progress serves us in fulfilling our mission while not leading us into sinful behavior.
Four Considerations for Christians Concerning Technology
- Technology as a Gift from God
First and foremost, we must remember that all the good things we experience, including technological aevancements, are gifts from God (Gen. 2:15, Ps. 24:1). He has given His creation power and intelligence to innovate and create. The Apostle Paul says in I Corinthians 1:24-25 that Christ is the source of all things, even our wisdom. Christians, therefore, should not reject technological advancement out of hand. Instead, they should eagerly embrace these gifts in gratitude to God.
- Consider Our Purpose
The second consideration is our ultimate purpose — to worship and love God and to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19-20). As such, we need to evaluate the usefulness of a given technology in furthering these tasks. If a technological advancement will allow for better communication of the Gospel or more efficient evangelism, then it could be an invaluable tool for kingdom work. However, if a new piece of technology will only serve to distract us from this purpose or encourage sinful behavior, then Christians might need to be more cautious.
- Evaluate Ethical Implications
When evaluating the progress in technology, another vital consideration for Christians is the potential ethical implications. Cloning, human enhancement, and artificial intelligence are just a few fields with serious moral ramifications. For believers, we must never lose sight of our primary responsibility to love God and be good stewards of His creation. As we examine the potential outcomes of a technological advance, we should seek to act with wisdom and care.
- Embrace Wisdom and Prudence
The final element to consider when handling technological progress is theneed for wisdom and prudence. Believers are called to live wisely, faithfully, and with the fear of the Lord (Eccl. 12:13, Prov. 1:4-6). This often means delaying instant gratification. As a general rule, technologies should be adopted after careful reflection when the advantages and disadvantages are well understood.
It should be noted that whether an individual Christian chooses to adopt a particular technology is, in a sense, subjective. Some things are universally sinful, but our response to the use of technology itself will often depend on context and personal temperament. For example, one may find the pacing or content of a particular movie objectionable and choose to abstain while another might view a different film with the same technological background, which to them is edifying or just entertaining.
Conclusion
In conclusion, for the Christian, understanding how to approach technology's progress demands thoughtful analysis that aligns with Scripture. We must remember that technology is a gift from God, so it should be gratefully embraced. At the same time, it is crucial to keep our focus on our purpose as well as the potential ethical issues that can arise. To remain on the path of wisdom and prudence, we must always carefully evaluate the use of these tools, making choices that best support our commitment to Christ and the Gospel.