God, the Bible, Technology, and Missions

by Eric M. Straw

THE WORLD IS OVERRUN with technology!” When it comes to missions, is that good or bad, helpful or harmful, God-ordained or devil-inspired? My goal in this article is to help us answer three important questions: What is technology? What do God and the Bible say about technology? and In the case of missions, is technology culturally neutral—why or why not? 

THE WORLD IS OVERRUN with technology!” When it comes to missions, is that good or bad, helpful or harmful, God-ordained or devil-inspired? My goal in this article is to help us answer three important questions: What is technology? What do God and the Bible say about technology? and In the case of missions, is technology culturally neutral—why or why not? 

What Is Technology?

Imagine exploring the forest on a cold, crisp October morning. You pick up a long stick and begin to walk using your newfound object as a staff. Wait! Your use of the stick as a staff has repurposed the stick and created a tool of it. A tool extends a physical ability. In this case, the staff aids you in walking by engaging your arms to improve balance and, perhaps, increase momentum. 

A tool, then, can be a natural thing (such as a stick) or an artificial thing, such as aluminum Nordic poles (see Figure). As you walk further into the oak grove, you are surprised and delighted to see a young buck in the distance and think about venison steaks. You decide that you need a bow because your stick is inadequate for steak getting. So you imagine attaching a string to your stick to create a bow.

Your stick-and-string-as-bow would be another tool. It would extend your ability to throw. But the bow would be more than a tool: it would be technology. Technology is the result of assembling, reconfiguring, reforming, or modifying natural things. Technology is always artificial (see Figure). A bow carved from wood with leather grip and sinew string has been constructed from all natural things. Yet, the bow as a bow is artificial.

Both tools and technology have extrinsic ends. That means the directedness toward an end (goal, outcome, or aim) is outside of the item. It is observer-relevant. There is nothing intrinsic (internal) to the stick that directs it toward the end of being a staff. That end was assigned by you. You could just as easily have assigned the end of being a club, javelin, or post. 

Likewise, there is nothing intrinsic to a stick-with-a-string that directs it toward being a bow. You could have assigned the end of being an exercise device, straight edge, or musical instrument.   

You spot a small bird’s nest overhead. Is that bird nest technology? A tool? Neither? Perhaps a few more examples will help you decide. First, we need to consider the concept of art in order to build a formal definition of technology.

Art is not necessarily technology. Art is constructed for aesthetic value, for the beauty of it. The paint on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is technology, yet the patterns are not. They are art. Technology is constructed for non-aesthetic (not-art) ends. Something can be both art and technology if it is constructed for aesthetic value and at least one non-aesthetic end. 

Formally, technology is any artificial thing constructed with at least one non-aesthetic extrinsic end. Stated less technically, technology is anything made to satisfy a not-art, observer-relevant end. Informally, technology is a stick with a string and anything else that fits that model.

Does the Bible Talk about Technology?

The Bible contains many examples of technology. For example, Genesis 4:17-22 references technology in the form of a city (v. 17), tents (v. 20), lyre and pipe (v. 22), as well as instruments of bronze and iron (v. 22):

Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch…Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. Zillah also bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron.

Exodus 25-31 contains many examples of technology in the instructions for building the tabernacle and associated items. The list in Exodus 31:7-11 includes the ark and its cover, tables, utensils, lampstands, wash basins, garments, and more. All of these are technology. They are artificial things constructed with at least one non-aesthetic extrinsic end.

Jesus instructed others to use technology. Jesus told Peter to use a hook in Matthew 17:27: “Go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up.” Jesus used technology in John 13:4-5. He used a table, robe, towel, and basin:  “So [Jesus] got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.” 

You may find it hard to think of these things as technology because they are not new to you. However, newness is not part of the definition of technology. Our familiarity does not alter the category of an object. 

Is Technology Culturally Neutral?

“None.” That was the answer to my question. I had just been told by someone that she and her husband had switched from the printed version to the digital version of Our Daily Bread, a popular daily devotional.

“What has the impact been?” I asked. “None,” she replied. None? No impact caused by switching from the printed version to the digital version? I find that hard to believe because technology always has an impact on individuals and cultures. Technology is never culturally neutral. 

This never culturally neutral claim is not a moral claim. I am not addressing the moral value (good or bad) of technology. Rather, I am addressing the existence of cultural and individual impacts from technology. To illustrate this, consider adding a lemon wedge to tea. A lemon wedge is never flavorfully neutral in tea. It changes the flavor of the tea. This says nothing about the moral value of adding a lemon wedge to tea. Likewise, the claim I am making, and that many others have made, is that technology always has an impact on individuals and culture. Technology changes the flavor of cultures, so to speak. 

Can Technology Change the DNA of a Culture?

Forty years ago in Zemio, Central African Republic, a very large slit-top drum called a gurru was used as the primary communication technology between villages. The drum’s design was ideal for the tonal Zande language and the sound of the gurru could be heard many kilometers away. 

A friend of mine described hearing about the death of a woman named Dawa drummed out on the gurru. To achieve this communication there had to be a drum maker, a way to learn drum making, a drummer, a way to learn drumming, and protocols for using the drum. The gurru was a community-based technology centralized around the tribal elders. 

Again, forty years ago Zemio was a drum-using culture. Today, there is a cellular phone tower in Zemio. If a woman named Dawa died today in
Zemio, the message would be carried by cell phone towers, not gurru drums. The same message, but different technology. 

One resident even said, “With the cell tower now up in Zemio this old way of life is probably going to be lost!” Not probably. Most definitely. 

Today in Zemio, there are cell phone owners and not drummers; there are cell phone shops and not drum makers. The use of cell phones is centralized around young people. The cell phone is an individual-based technology. Today, Zemio has a cell phone culture. Everything has changed.

Is Technology Neutral When We Use the Bible Today?

If technology is never culturally neutral, then the impact of switching from the printed version to the digital version of Our Daily Bread cannot be “none.” If we think more deeply, we can identify the impacts.

There is another important question related to this switch from print to digital. What does God think about the switch? Does he prefer we use the printed version, or is the digital version acceptable? Just as good? Better? 

Ashley is an ardent follower of Jesus. She enjoys reading and discussing the Bible. She also enjoys giving Bibles away to people at her favorite coffee shop, Café des Sagesse. Ashley has a bit of a reputation around Café des Sagesse as someone who cares deeply about others. She listens well and often shares from her own experiences of following Jesus. Ashley carries several copies of the New Living Translation (NLT) paperback New Testament because they are great for giving away. They are affordable, lightweight, and have a very low intimidation factor because of their small size. In addition, Ashley likes the readability of the NLT, especially for those who are new to following Jesus. 

Today, Ashley is sitting in Café des Sagesse with an excellent cappuccino that began with exquisite micro-foam art. The aroma is heavenly. The flavor is supreme. After slowly breathing in the aroma and ever so lightly tasting her cappuccino, Ashley reaches into her satchel to pull out a Bible. Should Ashley pull out a printed Bible or a digital Bible? Does the media format matter? 

What Does God Really Think about Technology?

The first clear mention of technology in the Bible is the story of sin entering the world in Genesis 3. We can learn something about God’s attitude toward technology both by what he did and by what he did not do with technology in this story. 

Adam and Eve made technology to cover their nakedness: “They sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths” (Gen. 3:7). God then replaced technology with new theologically-significant technology: “The Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them” (Gen. 3:21). What did God not do? He did not eliminate technology by simply getting rid of the plant-based clothes. Instead, he replaced the technology with new technology that served his purpose. 

Thus, in the first clear example of technology in the Bible, we see God endorsing the use of technology because it served his purpose. As it turns out, this idea of God’s purpose is central to understanding what God thinks about technology. 

The construction of the tabernacle in Exodus 25-31 is another example of the interaction of technology and God’s purpose. God commanded the creation of very specific technology: “You must build this tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the pattern I will show you” (Exod. 25:9). God not only commanded the very specific technology, he also prepared the workers:

See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,  and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship,  to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze,  in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft.  And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you. (Exod. 31:2-6)

This is all very amazing. God commissioned technology and prepared the craftsman so that his purpose would be fulfilled. Wonderful! Yet not all technology in the Bible contributes to God’s purpose. Perhaps the best example of this is the tower of Babel in Genesis 11:1-9. At the tower of Babel, the purpose of humanity was opposed to the purpose of God. This is evident in the contrast of verses 4 and 9:“[The people said] let us build…lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth” vs. “The Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth.” 

In this example, we see God opposing technology so that his purpose would be fulfilled. Thus, we have the answer to our question, “What does God think about technology?” The answer is, “It depends on whether or not the technology supports God’s purpose.” 

How Do We Choose the Best Technology in Missions?

As executive director of a mission organization, I don’t see this question as hypothetical. Instead, it’s imperative that we think through it carefully, wisely, and biblically. In Ashley’s case, with two forms of the Bible in her satchel, does technology further or hinder God’s purpose? 

Consider the following scenarios and their implications in Ashley’s choice of reading the Bible in a print or digital format. The right choice could bear much fruit. The wrong choice could be tragic. 

•  Ashley has had an ongoing discussion with Kayla, who is curious about Jesus. And, Ashley knows that Kayla will be at the café this morning. The printed media might lead to a discussion opportunity.

•  Ashley is in a position spiritually and emotionally where she needs time alone with God and his word. The digital media might provide more isolation.

•  Ashley has a lesson to teach in the near future and needs to read multiple Bible translations as well as dig into several commentaries. The digital media will provide access to more tools.

•  Ashley lives in an Islamic community that prohibits the public reading of the Bible. 

—Further, Ashley is sensitive to the safety of those whom she works with and desires to protect them. The digital media might provide more privacy and protection.

—Or, Ashley is in the right position spiritually, emotionally, and physically to make a bold proclamation for Jesus and freedom of faith. The print media will provide a clear public statement.

These examples are just a few of the possible scenarios. Ashley’s initial task is the same in each possible scenario: she needs to be sensitive to God’s Spirit, listen to God, and carefully discern God’s leading so that God’s purpose will be fulfilled.

I trust you have a better understanding of what God thinks about technology. If so, how can you use what you have learned to make wise decisions about your future use of technology in the cause of missions? 

. . . .

Eric M. Straw, PhD, serves as professor of business at the Hoff School of Business, Corban University. Eric also serves as founder and executive director of Mark 5 Ministries. He can be reached at estraw@corban.edu or eric@mark5ministries.org. 

EMQ, Vol. 52, No. 2 pp. 134-135. Copyright  © 2016 Billy Graham Center for Evangelism.  All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced or copied in any form without written permission from EMQ editors.

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