3 passages to formulate a biblical theology of technology

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The theological challenge is the first of the 4 challenges of using technology in your ministry, because a proper theology establishes the foundation for addressing the other challenges and steers our technological development toward ministerial effectiveness. This is the theological challenge:

We need to study the scriptures to formulate a biblical theology of technology.

Biblical Theology of Technology

Let’s be clear. The word “technology” itself does not appear in the Bible. But to be fair, neither does the holy word “theology.” So, in that respect, we are even.

Technology combines the Greek roots techné, which translates to trade, craft, or art, and logia, which refers to the study of something. So, technology is the study of a trade or craft.

There are three biblical passages where the word techné appears. Each of them teaches us a different principle. A biblical theology of technology must be grounded on these three principles.

The Preeminence of God

Principle number one: God is preeminent, derived from Acts 17:29, which reads:

Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design (techné) and skill.

Acts 17:29

God cannot be compared to any technology. God is before, first, and more important than any technology. No technology can replace God. No technology is above God. No technology can do what only God can do. This is why, contrary to popular belief, technology does not save and cannot change the attitudes of the heart.

We must recognize when our emphasis on technology draws us away from God. There is no room for technolatry. For example, we are so focused on making the music sound perfect that we forget to worship or so concerned about having an organized service that we neglect the needs of those who attend.

The Practicality of Technology

Principle number two: technology is practical, drawn from Acts 18:3:

and because he [Paul] was a tentmaker (techné) as they [Aquila and Priscilla] were (homotechné), he stayed and worked with them.

Acts 18:3

Technology is neither good nor bad, just useful or useless. We cannot assign moral attributes to technology. From this passage, among others, we know that the apostle Paul was a craftsman or, in contemporary terms, a technologist. He used his technology as a means to support himself and the ministry’s work.

We must recognize when technology serves to support the functions of ministry. It can create resources and be useful in fulfilling the mission.

The Transience of Technology

Principle number three: technology is transient, deduced from Revelation 18:22:

The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters, will never be heard in you [Babylon] again. No worker of any trade (techné) will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again.

Revelation 18:22

No technology lasts forever. Leaving aside eschatological interpretation or what will happen in the future, this passage is not a statement against technology itself, but against Babylon. Babylon’s technology will cease. Just as technologies from other times and places have ceased, those that are popular today will also cease.

We must recognize when technology loses its effectiveness as a means of communicating the message of salvation. This also includes our programs and forms. Often, we cling to yesterday’s technology and think that because it is traditional, it is more holy than today’s technology. This causes the church to respond much slower and risks its influence in the world.

A biblical theology of technology acknowledges that God is our priority, that technology can be very useful in generating ministerial resources and carrying out the mission, and that each technology has its own lifespan and needs to be constantly renewed.

How about you? How do you respond to the theological challenge of technology? What are the priorities of technology in your ministry?