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I think I've said all that I want to -- eventually!
==Technology in relation to Redemption==
Prior to The Fall, the Bible does not mention of any tool. God created a world in which technology was not required. Food was readily at hand, natural shelter was provided, and health was assured. So is technology just the result of sin and if so, should Christian's avoid using it?
In [http://donteatthefruit.com/2009/11/four-questions-for-technology-from-the-biblical-story Four Questions for Technology from the Biblical Story] and [http://donteatthefruit.com/2009/07/from-the-garden-to-the-city-technology-in-the-story-of-redemptive From the Garden to the City: Technology in the Story of Redemption], John Dyer suggests that:
* All technology has the potential to be used for sin. Technology is inseparably tied to humanity’s rejection of God and God’s grace toward humanity in allowing us to continue. ('''Rebellion''')
* Technology is almost always designed to overcome an effect of the Fall. It, therefore, can function redemptively and yet simultaneously represent the inadequacy of our attempts to live without God. ('''Redemption''')
* When technology fails, rather than causing us sadness and grief, they offer us a chance to reorient our hope away from our technology and toward Christ’s return. So when you get a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Screen_of_Death blue screen of death ] or an iPhone lockup, rather than curse in disgust, it should be an opportunity to say, “Come, Lord Jesus, Come!” ('''Restoration''')
== Musical instruments ==
As Job tells his friends ([[Job 28]]), our many achievements do not lead to real wisdom. Humanity mines for silver and iron, refines gold and copper, turns dark into light, digs deep for sapphires, tunnels through rocks, and explores the sources of rivers (vv1-11). But do we find wisdom (v12, v13, v20)? It cannot be bought (vv15-19) and it is hidden from the eyes of every living thing (v21). "God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells" (v23). "The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding" (v28).
We might imagine that our money makes us impregnable like a well-built castle ([[Proverbs 18:10]] - [[Proverbs 18:11]]) or that chariots military superiority will protect us ([[Psalm 20:7]], [[Isaiah 31:1]]), but in the end security only comes from trusting God. Israel often found that by trusting God they could overcome enemies who had superior technology: walled cities ([[Deuteronomy 3:4]] - [[Deuteronomy 3:6]]), chariots ([[Judges 4:13]] - [[Judges 4:16]]) and giants with swords ([[1 Samuel 17]]).
The Lord has a day planned when all human arrogance -- lofty towers, fortified walls, trading ships, idols or silver and gold -- will be be brought low ([[Isaiah 2:12]] - [[Isaiah 2:22]]). Although this is a condemnation of arrogance rather than of technology, how often does humanity show its arrogance by seeking power and control through technology? In the end, humans are an insubstantial breath (v22).
{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Christianity and technology]]