Read Schuurman's article at http://www.acmsonline.org/journal/2007/schuurman.pdf. Write a comment about something that inspired you, or that you agreed/disagreed with, gave you insight, etc. When other classmates have posted please respond to at least one other student's post. Remember: your comments should indicate understanding of the article, be thoughtful/reflective, and concise (nor more than one-two paragraphs). You will receive points for your entry as well as for commenting on another student's entry.
HAVE FUN!
I thought this article was very interesting. It posed lots of questions about how our Christianity should affect our “faith in technology” that our technology-driven world is forcing upon us. It made me aware of technicism and scientism, where we make idols of our knowledge and our software creation and think that we can solve our human condition to save ourselves. I had never really thought about it before, but this article made me realize that it is a real thing for people to believe that our problems are due to a lack of knowledge, and not due to sin. They dig deeper and seek technology and advances to fix us and bring us into a utopian world. It brings the question of how we should pursue knowledge and scholarship, in a Christian way that doesn’t obsess over knowledge but still seeks knowledge in order to find truths of God and His creation. It makes me see the need for a difficult balance here of technology and Christianity, while avoiding technicism and still seeking technology to see God’s truths in it.
ReplyDeleteThis article also helped me to see that we are not to just become “technophobes” who turn away from this difficult issue. Christians are not called to just turn away from this technicism and technology problem. Instead, we are called to be salt and light to the world. We are to engage in technology and shape it, putting Christian value into it, and not using the bias that is imbued into it by fallen men who create it.
I thought it was interesting too, to think about how many people believe that our world could be healed with knowledge. Logically I guess it makes some sense, but our need for a Savior extends beyond ourselves and our human knowledge. It also makes me think about how we, as Christians, must pursue knowledge faithfully and in a way that honors God. It's a pretty tall order!
DeleteI completely agreed with the fact that we should face technology and the problems presented with it. We can have a lot of influence on things because of the Lord's grace and that includes technology. In technology, we can still find God's goodness in technology and in the advances of the fast world we live in. Kate, I also agree about the need of the Savior!
DeleteI agree with your thought process after reading the article. It is crazy what people will put their trust into when they do not believe in Christ, but it is just one reminder of the fallenness we love in. One main point the author introduced was the effects Christianity would have in the field of computer science. Though the author posed the question of if the results would differ, I feel a Christian and non-Christian could reach the same results. The difference would be found in their purpose for doing so.
DeleteThis article was interesting to me because it challenged us to many tasks as Christian scholars. I've never given that much thought to being a Christian steward of technology, but it is actually quite a large and important task that we as believers have been given. I was a little surprised that only theoretical advice was given, with no concrete or practical ways to carry this task out. But I suppose that with each new wave of technology that comes out, one of our responsibilities is to discern how exactly to use the technology in a way that honors God.
ReplyDeleteOne aspect that really made me think was when the author brought up the opinion that exists that believes that technology is a result of the fall itself. My first reaction is to say that of course it's not, that technology has saved countless lives all over the world. But then I realize that those lives wouldn't need saving if it weren't for the fall in the first place. Overall, I still believe that technology is a gift from God and a stem/part of His creation. The opinion presented just made me give it a little extra thought.
I also thought it was a little open-ended in the way this article never gave specific examples on how we should use and shape technology as Christians. It made such a big point that we are to be SHAPERS of technology, but then gave no real examples. It left us to use our own knowledge to determine what we should and shouldn't do. It showed just how practical it is that we think our knowledge can solve everything. If we figure out how to use technology in a Christian way, then we can reach others and show them Christ. In reality, I think we shouldn't be relying just on our knowledge of how to shape technology but we should be constantly praying and seeking God in how we can use technology for Him. We need to not look at technology as a problem that we need to reason out, but a gift that God has given, which we need to be praying for guidance in how to use to bless others.
DeleteFaith in technology is almost embedded in us, especially those of us who were born in the age of technology. We always rely on its knowledge, ability, and speed. "Knowledge is Power" really freaked me about because, as we discussed with iGods, with Google we can look up anything and know all the facts. This is an endangerment to us because we can make technology our new god. Because of the Lord's Grace, we are allowed to have the ability to broaden our minds. Because of shalom, we are able to have discernment. Although technology can be used for evil, it can also be used for good and I think this article reminded me of that: a lot is bad in the world, but because of grace, a lot is good. We can use this for the glory of the kingdom and the growth of our knowledge.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the article helped me see, not only the bad things that technology is capable of, but also all the wonderful things that I believe God intended us to use it for. I think, as you said, it is helpful to remind ourselves of this, as well as it is comforting to us to know that God's grace allows us to have these good things available to us, to use for his purpose.
DeleteAs I was reading the section about faith in technology, I leaned more toward the view on how bad technology can be for us as fallen people. We are so broken and technology helps us advance our brokenness. It helps us gain power for our own desires and motivations. With all this being said I couldn’t help but have a negative view on our society’s use of technology, but in the section on redeeming computer knowledge I enjoyed seeing that it is our responsibility to be shapers of technology. We are not called to abandon technology, just a Christ did not abandon us, but instead to work towards making technology something pointing towards shalom. I think this concept can be carried even farther than just on technology, but on all aspects of life that we are called to have dominion over and help shape.
ReplyDeleteI also leaned towards viewing technology as a negative thing rather than seeing that it is fallen just as we are. I agree with you that it was nice to see that it is our responsibility as faithful stewards to be shapers of technology in a way that glorifies God even with the brokenness it has.
DeleteThe article exposes a variety of questions and statements that seem to be hidden throughout daily lives. Two main questions were highlighted in my mind as I read the article. The first question proposed was "Would technology be necessary if there had never been a fall?" Connecting technology and the fall through the relationship of common grace insight renders the question explainable but absolutely mind-boggling. The second question I found a strong interest in was "Can technology be redeeming if caused by the fall?" This would never have been a common question I would ask myself, yet it is necessary to ask all the same. With such great advances, it seems the author has managed to propose to conflicting questions making the article make the reader think even more. However, my favorite part of the article was the conclusion simply because of how much truth it held. It is important to remember technology can be a great asset to us, but it can also a very bad problem.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that technology can be a very bad problem, but I believe that it can also be very good. I believe that when we look to technology rather than our creator it can present many problems. One can clearly see the fall in technology, but we can see the fall in everything that on the Earth. I believe we are called to understand Computer technology, and if we do it in a Christian perspective I believe we can do powerful things.
DeleteThis article really opened my eyes to just how much our daily lives are focused around technology. We use technology for anything and everything, and not always for good. This article touches on the point that technology is fallen and we see that in our everyday lives whether it's your computer restarting at a terrible time, viruses, spam, or even it being used in a negative way. In our society today technology is an idol for many people due to the fall and our own brokenness. For example, Google can give us almost any answer we need in the click of a button and we believe it to be all truth and rely on it for so much more than necessary. Yet, the article sheds light on us as faithful stewards and our duty to look after God's creation by finding ways to work to shape technology in such a way that answers God's call to have dominion over it and look after the earth.
ReplyDeleteThanks for pointing out the fact that we CAN redeem technology by being "faithful stewards" and exercising dominion over creation. While I was reading the article, I tended to focus too much on the negative aspects, and failed to see the hope in the fact that we can redeem technology, and we don't just have to avoid it completely. It CAN be something that we enjoy (in moderation) and using it doesn't make us idolize it, it's just the misuse that leads to idolatry.
DeleteWhile reading this article I was reminded of how technology is used all the time throughout my day. I wouldn't go so far in saying that technology runs my life, but I would definitely be able to function properly without my iPhone, Macbook, and Playstation. Is that a bad thing? Well Derek C. Schuurman states that Computer technology has become ubiquitous, and I would totally agree with him. So because computer technology is all around us does that mean that we as Christians should embrace it? That's exactly what Schuurman is trying to answer. Something that struck me was when Schuurman compared technology to the "tower of Babel" in which we replace God with technology, and we look to the things we have created rather than the One who created us. I believe this is such a strong point that we must be aware of when looking at computer technology from a Christian perspective. As Christian scholars we are called to know and understand Computer technology because that is what we are called to do. This means understanding computation laws and know the boudries that limit computation as Schuurman puts it. We also must be aware that because of the fall Computer technology has is problems. From failing computers to gaming addictions, the fall can be clearly seen in Computer technology, and will not be cleaned until the return of Christ. We must understand that technology will not end the world of problems. The only one that will do that is God himself. If we understand this and acknowledge that we are called to cultivate the Earth, having a Christian understanding of Computer technology will be possible.
ReplyDeleteThe "tower-of-Babel" analogy made me think about the role technology plays in some of our lives as well. It is kind of sad that some think we can achieve a perfect world just by utilizing technology, a man-made thing. There will always be those who choose to abuse technology in order to satisfy selfish desires. For that reason, we can never use technology to build a perfect world. Our fallen condition will keep that from happening.
DeleteThe thing that stood out to me the most in this particular article was the claim that in our modern world, technology has become a faith. I have always known that technology could easily become an idol, however, I never thought of it as a faith. As Schuurman says, "The belief in technology as saviour of the human condition is called technicism..." which roots from scientism, which means that our simple human reason can give us all-encompassing understanding of man - which then turns into consumerism, which means we can find true happiness through material things. Therefore, scientism, consumerism, and technism are all things that can replace God in our daily lives. When we are constantly obsessed with getting the next new thing, upgrading, updating, and simply utilizing our technology, we rely on it instead of God. We look to technology for answers instead of looking to Scriptures. Our problems become about not knowing enough instead of because of our own sin. With technology, we can become God ourselves. If we can know everything, what do we need God for? If we have the capacity to Google anything and find out the answer, what makes God so much more knowledgeable than us? It's pretty easy to fall into a groove in which we put technology first - the first thing we do in the morning is look at our phones, the first place we look for answers is our phones, the first place we look for social interaction is our phones. We need to be cautious about how much priority we put on technology.
ReplyDeleteI kind of disagree with the notion that with technology, we can become God ourselves. God is not simply omniscient. While I'm not trying to downplay the severity of thinking we can know everything, I find it troublesome that we think we're even close to being like God. Technology can't make us any closer to God. Maybe I'm misunderstanding some parts of your argument or even the author's argument.
DeleteI agree with Schuurman's claim that technology has become tied to nearly everything we do. In fact, I don't think we even realize how often we use it to even do the simplest of tasks. With the rise of technology comes the rise of technicism has come as well. It is difficult to argue that technology helps us in nearly every aspect of our lives. We communicate to loved ones, get work done, and use it for productive purposes. Those that hold a view of technicism, however, seem to take this concept to an extreme. Sure, technology has been a great blessing, but is it truly the key for building a perfect world? Something that struck me in the article was a question the author asked - would technology be here if the fall never happened. Admittedly, I may agree. If the Fall never occurred, the state of our world would be perfect. Would there really be a need for man-made technology?
ReplyDeleteI think the greatest distinctions Christians can make is the distinction of ends and means. In terms of technology, viewing it as an end in itself is dangerous, as Schuurman points out. Treating it as a faith, expecting it to fix problems, relying on it for all knowledge is undoubtedly dangerous. However, using technology as a means to achieve a greater purpose, to me, is not a bad thing at all! As mentioned a lot in class, the way we use a certain technology can either make it or break it (our use, that is). God's gift of creativity allows us to build technology that are beautiful. Recall Dr. Green's chapel talk on Christian materialism. While we are aware of the downfalls of misuse of technology, don't downfalls come from all areas of life. Our sins are not a result of our environment (or technology), they are a result of a broken and sinful heart. I think it's important for us to remember what we are called to cultivate and what we are called to eradicate.
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