Yet the suspicion that our tools are false gods who will betray our trust leads us to fear. If technology is about our own resourcefulness to increase our own power in achieving our own ends, then it is no wonder it tempts us to pride. Into the valley descends a mere boy with a mere slingshot, controlled by neither pride or fear, but filled with hope and trust in God: “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts” (v45). As Goliath shouts his proud challenge, Saul and all Israel were “dismayed and greatly afraid” (v11, repeated in v24). We can see pride and fear clearly at each side of a valley in 1 Samuel 17. Technology thus stirs two emotions in us: pride and fear. Brian Arthur notes in The Nature of Technology that we put our hope in technology, yet we mistrust it.
#Tower unite money exploit full#
Luke 12:13-21: The rich fool dies moments after putting his trust in the full barns he has built.Matthew 17:24-27: The Son of God’s right to enter his father’s house is questioned by men – does he have the money? Jesus lets Peter in on the joke by asking him to go catch a fish with the right change in its mouth.Isaiah 44:12–20: The idea of someone worshiping as their deliverer an artifact they have made from half of what they have just thrown into the fire is ridiculed with naked sarcasm.David is left with four spare stones still in his pouch. Yet a mere boy with a slingshot who comes in the name of the LORD turns Goliath’s own advanced weaponry against him. 1 Samuel 17: Goliath’s impressive war technology is described in detail.These artifacts, entrusted with protecting the king and his people, just stand there. God grants Ehud success in his mission, who passes the king’s stone idols during his escape (v26). Judges 3:12-30: Ehud, Israel’s left-handed judge, kills the enemy’s king in embarrassingly gruesome fashion.God has to come down to see this great tower, turns their words into babble, and speaks words of promise to one chosen man: “I will bless you and make your name great” (12:2). Genesis 11: People in their pride unite to build an impressive tower that reaches the heavens, with the goal of making a name for themselves.Genesis 3: Adam and Eve become aware of their shameful position after disobeying God, but their ridiculous response to cover up from their omniscient creator is the first technology in the Bible.Sometimes it is subtle and ironic, and other times it is in-your-face sarcasm. One of the consistent biblical themes on technology is mockery.
Money is not evil in itself, but it must be treated with much care lest it control us. Lastly, precisely because of its effectiveness at increasing our power to achieve the end it is designed to facilitate, technology develops a pull towards that end that calls for wisdom in restraining it.
Further, technologies are typically assemblies of sub-technologies, which in turn can be processes or artifacts.
For example, money increases our productivity in exchanging value, while an idol is meant to increase our power over the cosmos (an overhyped gadget if there ever was one). These man-made artifacts were constructed from nature and increased someone’s power in achieving a goal. Technology can be seen throughout the Bible: Adam and Eve’s clothes, the tower of Babel, an idol crafted from wood, David’s sling, money, et al. The first step is to define technology as an assembly of artifacts and processes that people construct from nature to increase our power in achieving our goals. This article will explore the Bible’s attitude towards technology, focusing on God’s appropriation of the technology of the cross. Yet, technology, broadly understood, is also ancient and the Bible actually says much about it, even giving examples of God’s own interactions with it. The antiquity of the Bible may lead one to conclude it has little to say about technology.
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