Technology Theology

If you are into technology at all then you know Sept. 12 was a big day. If you aren't that into tech and all the gadgets that go with it, then let me fill you in. Sept. 12 was the big unveil of the new iPhone 5 which many apple users and iPhone buyers have been waiting for and speculating over for months. Personally, I am an Android/Windows guy, but that's just me, and in our culture of tolerance, I'm okay if you are a fan of Apple or Blackberry or whatever kind of tech you enjoy. I think apples and blackberries make great pies and jellies, but again, that's just me.

As our culture continues to be more reliant on our technology, me included, I wonder where it is all leading. Is it really helping us be more productive or just a causing us to be more distracted? Are relationships being strengthened by having hundreds of "friends" through the internet, or are they being harmed? There are dozens, if not hundreds, of books written about this idea, and I don't think I'm qualified to add much to that conversation. But scripture does speak to this, believe it or not, even if it speaks out of silence.

Did you ever wonder why God didn't choose to send Christ today? After all, the sermon on the mount could have been heard all over the world, live through the internet. Christ could have had a twitter feed for everyone to keep up to date on his quotes. "What a friend we have in Jesus" would take on a whole new meaning if Christ accepted your friend request. He could be on the major news networks and few would doubt his miracles, seeing them live. Wouldn't that have been better than sending Christ into a time when it took days to send messages and the major mode of transportation was walking?

The simple answer is no, it would not be better to have Christ now rather than 2,000 years ago. How do I know this? Because it didn't happen that way. If we believe that God always does what is best, that He establishes what happens, and that His plan is what takes place (Prov. 16:9, 33; 19:21), then Christ coming when He did was the perfect time. No, He didn't have access to all the fun technology we have, but He didn't need it. Christ had access to the same thing we have access to now that transforms lives and cuts to the heart (Hebrews 4:12), the Word of God.

Remember the end of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)? The rich man had died and was begging Abraham to send Lazarus back from the dead to convince his brothers of the truth of what would happen after death. Lazarus said, '"No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent." He said to him, "If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead."'

That is a sobering thought. As we try to employ more and more technology into our personal lives, and even more into our churches, we need to remember where the true message of the gospel lies. It isn't in an attention getting video clip or a craftily executed PowerPoint presentation. It isn't in church cafes or iPads for every attender so they can follow along better. And no, there isn't an app for being a Christian. The truth of the gospel is where it always has been, in the Words of God contained in scripture. Technology can be helpful, but Scripture must remain the centerpiece, and nothing should distract from it.