Book Review: God, Technology and the Christian life

<- Back

---

God Technology and the Christian Life

Tony Reinke

2022/306 pages

In my letter box this morning was a pamphlet about the changes coming to the train line

from Perth to Armadale to Byford. I am fascinated by the thought processes that go into

changing existing things into newer ones. Shifting piles of sand to become bridges and road

networks. This is where the book 'God, Technology, and the Christian Life' by Tony Reinke

helped clarify my thinking.

Contents:

What is Technology?

Technology is applied science and amplified power. It’s art, method, know-how, formulas,

and expertise. (pg 14) The word 'technology' is built from the word 'technique' - the study of

 technique.

Technology is essential to who we are.

What is God’s relationship to technology?

The author takes us on a journey through the Old Testament, Noah and the ark, the tower of

Babel, to the building of the tabernacle, to David and Goliath, etc. Every motivated scientist

and every human innovation serves  God’s redemptive plan. (pg 72)

Where do our technologies come from?

More generally, technology is playing in a sandbox that someone else made. We operate in

boundaries set by someone else. Our Bibles tell us who built the sandbox. In the beginning

God created the heavens and the earth. We can only discover what God has put into creation.

God gives different people different gifts to use their intellect; this never happens randomly but is

always under God’s direction, at His time.

According to the author, farming is the primary technology on which all technologies are patterned.

But technology cannot solve our greatest need….

What can technology never accomplish?

In this chapter, the author lays out the gospel of technology – man thinks he can achieve all things

through technology and shoves God aside but this is the elevation of man over against the gospel of

the Bible.  Man fell into sin and needs a Saviour, whom God graciously provided - our Lord Jesus

Christ. If God is the centre of your life, technology is a great gift. If technology is your saviour,

you are lost no matter how much control technology promises you.

When do our technologies end?

Here the author draws the picture of Babylon as the city ruled by man’s ambition to

overthrow God (Revelation 18), over against God’s people who are living in the midst of this great

city, whose  purpose it is to radiate God’s love to all around them (Jeremiah 29) They pursue true

wisdom, not in technology, but in God. Not in the created things but in the Creator. Behold,

the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom;  to turn away from evil is understanding.

How should we use technology today?

Our response should not be, to retreat from it!! God has placed us in the here and now to serve Him

with all our heart, mind and soul.  Therefore innovation can become the spontaneous and joyous

exploration of all that it was meant to be; the eager study and cultivation of this sandbox called

 creation, that is an intentionally designed gift from a generous Creator whom we cannot help but

worship forever. (pg 301)

I found this book fascinating.

(Tony Reinke is a journalist and a senior teacher and host of the 'ask pastor John' podcast for

desiringGod.org.)

Sharon den Boer, Kelmscott