#digitalstudies

But if you don’t mind, can I cut to the white meat and the comeback for the skin? The guiding principle when it comes to the use of technology for ministry and spiritual growth is this: God will not judge our technology…but He will judge what we do with our technology! 

Remember that technology is merely a tool or extension of what we use to accomplish an action or do a deed! Someone illustrated it like this. They said that

“Our modern inventions are little more than the enlarging or elongating of our own faculties and organs. The telephone is the extension of our voice and of our neighbor’s ear; the bicycle the lengthening of our legs so that we reach 2000 feet instead of two; the telescope and microscope enlarge our vision so that we see 5 million miles instead of five” (Funk 318)

And just as Ecclesiastes 1 informed us last night that there is nothing new under the sun, Ecclesiastes 12 concludes by reminding us that God will bring every act to judgement (even that which is hidden) whether good or evil.

13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. (English Standard Version, Eccles. 12.13-14)

And therefore, technology is neither good nor evil, but the deeds done with technology can be either good or evil…God will judge the act, not the tech! 

Let me explain it like this: Is a leather bound Bible good or bad? We call it the “Good Book” not because it is a book, but because of what’s in the book. What if, within this same leather cover, were spells of witchcraft or profane lyrics to song? Would you still consider this a good book? It’s not the book, but what is in the book. What’s in the book is the deed of the writer and God will judge the writer for what has been written and the doer for what has been done—regardless of the technology used to do it!

Recollect that technology merely allows us to do deeds faster, enhanced, or with more convenience…but it is still the deed itself which makes the difference. Just as “the book”—a ‘once upon a time’ technological advancement—this iPad—a modern technological advancement—allows us to do many things faster and with more convenience. And as a mere tool, it can be used for good or for evil. It can be a tool used to radicalize domestic terrorists OR it can be a tool used to evangelize sinners unto salvation. It is not the technology that is good or evil, it’s the deeds done with technology that God will judge. Just as a knife can take a life or save a life…technology can be used for good or for evil. As believers, it’s our theology of technology which informs us that however we use it, God will judge us accordingly. So, view technologies as tools given to us to do the will of God faster and more efficiently! A 13th century French proverb says: “A bad workman blames his tools”. But this Ecclesiastes statement wisely reminds us that God will judge our works—not our tools! 

Now I can hear some of you thinking, 

“That’s why I don’t fool with all of that technology stuff!” 

You know what? Jesus knew you would say that! That’s the attitude He was talking about in Luke 5 when Jesus explained that:

37 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. 38 But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. 39 And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’” (Lu 5.37-39) {KJV says they say: ‘The old is better.’}

Believe it or not, if that is your mindset, you are in some interesting company. Socrates—the highly revered ancient philosopher—was adamantly against the “then” new technology of writing! He felt that face-to-face oral communication was the only way to transmit knowledge and that writing would be detrimental to memory and minds. But the irony is that we would not have knowledge of anything Socrates ever said, if Plato had not written it down and preserved it for future generations! So, do not be dismissive of new technologies just because you are used to the old! For what you consider to be “old school” was once upon a time “new school” too!

Now let’s get to the skin of the game! William Gibson—a Canadian American speculative fiction writer—says that “The future is already here – it’s just unevenly distributed” (Gibson 152). 

Perhaps that is no more evident than in the church and Christendom. Technologically, the Church tends to play a lot of “catch up”. However, this recent pandemic has exposed just how wide the digital gap is for many congregations. But truth be told, church pulpits and pews are becoming more and more digitized every day. It’s my particular scholarship interest to be a contributor to the study and effective advancement this “ancient meets modern” phenomenon. So from this point on, allow me to expose more of the ‘scholar’ in me, and highlight a few aspects of the unstoppable movement that is digitalizing pulpits and pews.

DIGITALIZING: WORSHIP

A new paradigm which highlights the trajectory of digitalizing worship is The “Hybrid Church Model”

This is the combination of an online presence and in-person gatherings that occurs simultaneously! The theology of this technology model to be considered is not only the benefits and quality of the digital experience and opportunity to reach a larger number of engagers—but what’s the strategy to ensure that the experience is personal, relational, and ministerial to those encountering it virtually? In other words, how can those who are online, access the same level of engagement for spiritual growth as those who are in-person.

HOW ABOUT THIS: For communion, send someone from the ministerial staff and their family worship at the home of an elderly member with them. And allow them to administer communion to them via Zoom and broadcast it on the big screen in church (real-time). So instead of them watching the assembled congregation online, the assembled congregation can interactively worship with them during a sacred moment. That’s just one way in which a theology of technology can guide your endeavors of digitalizing worship and the church.

DIGITALIZING: THE PULPIT

As it pertains particularly to preaching or homiletic oratory, there are four primary areas which I consider to be entry points for effectual digitalizing by the pulpiteer.

Preparation – This is where the proclaimer effectively use computerized study tools (such as Logos, Accordance) as well as internet resources in the preparation of spiritual food intended to feed the flocks of Christ.

Proclamation – In this area, the tech savvy homilist prudently, proficiently, and purposefully use digital tools and resources to serve the bread of life—without compromising its nutritional value!

Perpetuation – This is the sphere of technology wherein the Bible expositor strategically use digital resources to mobilize and spread the gospel message beyond the initial preaching moment and setting (think of it as ‘Uber Eats’ for sermons).

Preservation – The future-minded preacher intentionally and digitally archive your sermonic recipes. These clergy think not only about capturing their orations in the moment, but preserving their unique sermonic flavor for generations to come.

DIGITALIZING: THE PEWS

Now with regard to digitalizing the pews and tools for those who occupies them. In an effort to highlight a very narrow focus on this idea, let’s begin by simply acknowledging the fact that social media is in essence the new public square, and therefore it’s a new field for both public and personal evangelism. So then for the layperson in the pews, a great digitalized opportunity for personal evangelism exists right there on your social media platform.

Think about it. A mission field for evangelistic outreach is your social media FRIENDS & CONTACTS—not necessary the thread of posts and tweets itself. Here’s the challenge!

Intentionally set a goal each week to personally inbox at least 5 people in your social media contacts, and simply ask them “how can you pray for you, today?” Don’t do a general post or retweet a clever meme. Inbox them; use their name; reference something personal you remember about them. You are tilling the ground by asking the question how you can pray for them. After that, follow the conversation’s path and interactions and watch God work!

So those are just a few ideas to strategically leverage technology for ministry. And imagine, we’ve not even scratched the surface of what digitalizing pulpits and pews will allow us to do better and faster than we ever have before! My prayer is that you will use your thoughtful theology of technology to further digitalize the pulpits & pews in your sphere of ministry and perhaps begin or extend the technological reach of your faith into the realms of activism in social justice or support for mental health. God is certainly at work in this technological age, so let’s get our technology to work for Him!

WORKS CITED

ESV Study Bible. English Standard Version, Crossway, 2016.

Funk, I. K., ed. The Homiletic Review. Vol. 10. New York: Funk & Wagnalls, 1885.

Gibson, William. "The future is already here–it’s just not evenly distributed’."  The Economist 4.2 (2003): 152.

Stevenson, John T. “Studies in the Doctrines of the Bible.” Angelfire, John Stevenson Publications, 2008,  https://www.angelfire.com/nt/theology/Doctrines.pdf

As a working definition, let’s consider technology to be merely the ways and means of doing things faster and/or differently.

The first portion of verse 9 of Ecclesiastes chapter 1 helps make the case. 

9ab What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done... (English Standard Version, Ecc. 1.9ab)

The development of a written language was at one time a ground breaking technological advancement! After that, pencils and paper came along as technological breakthroughs. Later on, typewriters…then one day computers and emails…followed by smartphones and text messages…and next up…well who knows? All of these things were considered to be technology in that they allowed for communication (specifically) to be done faster and even differently! And the same can be said for other areas of life—such as food preparation, medicine, transportation, and so many others. So when it comes to technology, it is simply doing what has been done faster and/or differently.

Ecclesiastes 1:9c-10 further reminds us that although technology makes things faster and (many times) more enhanced, technology never makes anything that’s new? 

9c...and there is nothing new under the sun. 10 Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already in the ages before us. (Ecc. 1.9c-10)

Oh I hear you thinking! You’re thinking that before paper was invented, there was no paper…so paper is new! Email and texting didn’t exist until it was developed, therefore it became something new! So how can this scripture text say that there is nothing new under the sun? And that whatever this is…it has already been in existence for ages before us? Ah, now you a thinking like a thinking theologian!

Recall that technology only allows something that has already been and has already been done, to be enhanced or done faster. Pencils, paper, typewriters, email, text messages, and all other technologies of communication only makes it faster or easier to share thoughts and ideas. And since thoughts and ideas have always existed, they are not something new! No technology has ever been or ever will be created which will allow me to share a thought that I haven’t ‘thunk’! There are many technologies which have come about that allows me to share a thought (once its been conceived) faster and to more people. But the ability to think or even share thoughts and ideas is not something new under the sun. And so when it comes to technology, can we agree that it is merely ways and means to do things faster and/or in an enhanced way, however, never does it create anything new under the sun. 

Which brings us to another question with regards to viewing creation in light of the Creator—

What is God’s view of technology?

For instance in the area of communication, since God created the mind (which produces thoughts…which technology has made easier and faster to share), what does God think about technology? 

First of all, let’s be clear of the fact that God does not need technology. 

Only God can create ‘new’ things (that is…something from nothing). He alone creates and produces anything new under the sun. Technology can only take what God has already created (including the mind which develops the ideas for technology), and develop faster/easier ways to do what God has already done. So if God wanted a new way for the body to function, He does not need technological advancements in medicine to do it! All He has to do is create a whole new body or a new dynamic of physics and that is something technology will never be able to do!

Furthermore, whatever God makes as new will continue to function as created without the need for any technological changes to be made. There is nothing that God created that has ever required a “new and improved” version to be invented through technology to replace what God has done! Even though sin has caused problems and malfunctions in the creations of God, there is no way to replace the fundamental functions of God’s creative design! Here’s what I mean. Nothing has been invented that can replace thoughts, even though technologies exist that can help us in our thinking. Nothing will ever be invented that can be a substitute for breath, even though technologies have been developed to help us to breathe when our ability to breathe malfunctions. Nothing will ever be made that will be an alternative to time or travel, even though there has been a lot of breakthroughs that have assisted us in telling the time and traveling great distances! And whenever God gets ready to replace what He has already created, He’s not going to use made-made technologies to do it, He’s merely going to create a whole new thing to function and operate in a new way!

So the take away (or better yet a segue into the next part of the series), is that anytime we have to apply new technologies into ministry for faster/enhanced delivery, we must find a way to negotiate between our theology and the new technology. However, be clear that there some non-negotiable aspects in our theology that technology must submit to! Let’s take our ecclesiology for instance. The function and purpose of the church is solidly defined by our theology and NOT by some new technology! Our non-negotiable theology is established in Hebrews 10:24-25 which says:

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Heb. 10.24-25)

Any negotiation of the new streaming technology must support and enhance your established theology of faith assembly not change it or redefine it for convenience, clicks, or views! So, work out a solid theology of technology that will anchor as well as guide you through technological minefield that we’ve been dropped into as the day of the Lord draws near.

Well, I think that’s enough for part 1 of this lecture series. I’ll pick it up later with a closer look into the Digitalizing of Pulpits & Pews where we will consider how to best appropriate new technologies for ministry and for the glory of God! But before I exit, may I tap into the preacher in me just a bit more? 

I want to return for a moment to proving the point that God does not need technology because there’s some shouting stuff I found while working out my theology of technology! You see I discovered that when God gets ready for a new world, He’s not going to technologically advance this world, for John informs us in Revelation 22 that He’s going to create an entirely new heaven and a new earth and the old heaven and old earth will pass away! When God recreates the world, things will be different! 

For instance, water will be made new, for there will be no more large bodies of water, only a crystal river of life coming from the throne of God—that’s not technology, that’s a creative God! Trees will be made new. No longer will they only yield one kind of fruit per tree, but there will be on either side of the river a tree of life that will bear 12 different kinds of fruits—that’s not technology, that’s a creative God! The night will become obsolete and the sun will be forever turned off and God Himself will illuminate the world—that’s not technology, that’s a creative God! And you and I will be made new too! In a moment in the twinkling of an eye we shall be changed—from corruptible to incorruptible, from mortal to immortality from dusty to glorious. 

Technology can never do any of that, but we have a God who can! That’s where my theology of technology begins. It starts at the fact that although God allows technologies to advance and enhance, He does not need technology for every good and perfect gift comes from God. So thanks for the technology that brought about the light bulb, but I don’t need it to see God because He gave me the Holy Spirit! Thanks for technology that brought about the telephone but I don’t need it to talk to God because He gave me prayer! Thanks for technology to prolong life but I don’t need it to live forever because God has given me eternal life! But at the end of the day, my theology of technology is that you can have this whole world but give me Jesus!

WORKS CITED

ESV Study Bible. English Standard Version, Crossway, 2016.