Changes

Given that the Bible was written over a millenium before the industrial revolution, it is not surprising that agricultural themes abound. But note that whereas people in a hunter-gatherer society take whatever they can find, an agricultural society modifies the natural state of both plants and animals using invented techniques and tools. The following selection of verses reflect imply the use of such technology used in agriculture:

* Jacob (which means "deceiver", and perhaps that has some relevance to the story) uses selective breeding and perhaps genetic modification to make his flock better than his father Laban's ([[Genesis 30:29]] - [[Genesis 30:43]])

As with other areas of technology, the Biblical authors portray an acceptance of agricultural technology, and a respect for those who use that technology. Jesus, In [[Luke 5]] for instance, Jesus honours the work of Simon and other fishermen, and is happy to make use of boats for his own purpose of teachingpurposes. On the other hand, Jesus calls the fishermen to leave their technology in order to follow him. Jesus also shows that nets Nets and boats are not enoughfor true life: sometimes not even enough to catch fish. ! You also need knowledge and, by implication, spiritual insight. In a passage encouraging generosity, Paul notes that it is God who provides both seed to the sower and bread for food ([[2 Corinthians 9:10]]). The first is fairly obvious: seeds are part of the natural order whose creator is God, and for that we should give thanks. But what is less obvious is that God is the provider of bread as well. Although people harvest the grain, process it into flour and cook it to make bread, the grain, the wood for the fire, the iron for the baking tray, and our creative ingenuity were all provided by God. Regardless of the role we play as co-creators, and regardless of the control we can impose over nature using our technology, in the final analysis, all things come from God.