“In the logic of the story, Amanda should have died just after her coma. Rivermind’s power rests in extending life, but in so doing they offered her a product she could never cease using. And herein lies the possibility of modern technology.
Read the series.
Since culture and technology describe what humans made in God’s image do and make, it shouldn’t surprise us that the Bible has something to say about them. And I believe it would be useful for us to develop a biblical and theological framework for human culture and technology before we attempt to relate them to church ministry.1 As we look at the biblical data, what we discover is that the Bible portrays human culture and its corollary human technology as good, as bad, and as both good and bad.
All churches employ forms of modern technology to assist them in the tasks of outreach, discipleship, community, and worship. This raises the question as to whether the Bible provides the church with any guidelines or principles for choosing and using appropriate forms of technology in carrying out her Great Commission. I believe it does. One key text in this regard actually comes from the Old Testament. I’m thinking of Ecclesiastes 10:10, where we read, “Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed” (Eccl 10:10, NLT).1
“What should your church’s policy for smart glasses be? I recommend that churches prohibit the use of smart glasses in areas of the church building that serve minors, such as the nursery, the children’s ministry area, and the restrooms that families frequent most. Some churches will want to limit the use of smart glasses at church to individuals with visual impairments;” - TGC
“This ubiquitous device has become a cultural appendage. For Generation Z and Gen Alpha, the smartphone isn’t just a tool—it’s a lifestyle. And that lifestyle is quietly rewiring their brains, stealing their sleep, shrinking their confidence, and fueling a mental health crisis that cannot be ignored.” - Thom Rainer
“Why Were You Created?…What Is the Problem to Which You Are the Solution, and Whose Problem Is It?… What New Problems Will You Bring?… What Are You Doing to My Heart?” - Challies
“…this one is going to be very simple, just to ring the alarm bell about something that I think is so important that every single human being should be reflective about it, and what I’m talking about is the way the Internet is shaping us.” - Gavin Ortlund
“Roughly half of U.S. adults say that AI will have a very (24%) or somewhat (26%) negative impact on the news people get in the U.S. over the next 20 years.” - Pew
“Social media teach us that the world can be digested into these twenty-second reels or into 280-character bites. As a metaphor, they foster strong surges of emotion but not sustained rational engagement.
“the following discussion examines past, present, and prospective applications of AI, identifies theological principles for thinking about AI, and applies these principles to consider AI’s bioethical implications for human futures.” - AiG
