Sheet 1
What Does the Bible Say about Technology?
  Background and motivation
    Who am I?
      Church
        Berowra Uniting Church
      Family
        Two kids aged 11 and 13
        Northern, bushland suburb of Sydney
      Career
        Software development with Digital Equipment Corporation
        Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at University of Natal
        VP Information Architecture with CorVu Corporation
        General Manager (APAC) for Rocket Software
        Global Manager of Knowledge Management with Coffey International
        "In between jobs"
    Why this question is important
    Process
      Scanned the entire Bible for any references to technology
      Organised those references into key themes
    What is technology?
      "Science of practical or industrial art(s); ethnological study of development of such arts; application of science" (Concise Oxford Dictionary)
      "The usage and knowledge of tools and crafts, and how it affects our ability to control and adapt to the environment"
      "Practical implementations of intelligence" (Frederick Ferre)
      "Tools and techniques that seek to maximise efficiency"
      "Technology is all those things that weren't around when I was a child"
  Biblical references:
some preliminaries
    What examples of technology or commentary on technology can you recall in the Bible?
    Technology in Biblical times
    No surprise that the Bible mentions all these in passing ...
      Metals: iron, bronze, gold, silver, refining, furnances
      Tool, instrument
      Wheel, chariot, boat, ship
      Cook, wine
      Door, build, city
      Shield, helmet, armor, arrow, sword, weapon, spear
      Craft, cloth, weave
    About 200 other references
  Biblical references:
significant themes and principles
    Implied attitude to technology
      Technology is an accepted part of human existence
      No statement about the inherent moral value of technology
      The use of technology has moral dimensions
    God's use of technology
      God does not need technology
      Nevertheless, God sometimes uses technology
      The most common type of technology used by God is weaponry
      Jesus was a carpenter
    Technology in relation to Redemption
      John Dyer: http://donteatthefruit.com
      Reflection
      Rebellion
      Redemption
      Restoration
    Craftsmen
      Exodus 31:1-6 — The LORD said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills — to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you.
    Design and construction
      Noah's Ark, the Tabernacle, Solomon's Temple
      Everything we create with our technology is temporary
      God is the archetype of all builders
    Communication technology
      Tower of Babel (Genesis 11)
      References to writing, scrolls, carving, parchments
      Signalling by trumpet (Numbers 10)
      Government archives (Ezra 6:1)
    Idolatry
      Psalm 115
2 Why do the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in heaven;
he does whatever pleases him.
4 But their idols are silver and gold,
made by human hands.
5 They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but cannot see.
6 They have ears, but cannot hear,
noses, but cannot smell.
7 They have hands, but cannot feel,
feet, but cannot walk,
nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
8 Those who make them will be like them,
and so will all who trust in them.
      Technologists should have a sense of humility about their work (Isaiah 44:6-20)
      Scarecrows in a melon patch (Jeremiah 10:1-16)
    Human Responsibility
      Tools are subservient to their user (Isaiah 10:15)
      Accidents will happen with technology (Ecclesiastes 10:9)
      You are not to blame for unintended side-effects (Deuteronomy 19:5)
      ...nor are the victims to blame (Luke 13:4)
      ...but you do have a duty of care (Deuteronomy 22:8, Leviticus 19:16)
      Technology gives you power, which you must use fairly
  What next?
    Read and contribute to the technology articles on www.wikichristian.org
    Funding for South Africa
    Final observation: the holy calling of Christian technologists