Technology: The Accelerating Innovation We Discern and Steward

Today’s reading begins Section VII: Technology – The Accelerating Innovation We Discern and Steward. Read here.

Technology has always been with us. However, the speed at which all technologies are advancing today is unprecedented. As always, such rapid changes to human potential and human behaviour raise moral and ethical concerns in terms of their impact on society and on the planet. Several modern innovations lend themselves to the merging of humans with technology, or the creation of immersive environments in which humans may become subjected to technology’s domination. These potentialities arise from areas such as genetic engineering, cloning, biotechnology, mind-uploading, digital media, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. The Christian worldview informs our responses to and stewardship of these technological advancements. Biblical wisdom is vital to enable the church to be discerning and definitive about the moral and ethical implications of emerging technologies, even as it embraces and stewards the fruit of God-given human creativity and innovation, including in ways that accelerate evangelism and discipleship.

Technological ability reflects the creativity of human beings created in God’s image.

“Technology” refers not only to the tools that help enhance human ability and productivity but also to the knowledge and processes of invention and innovation, and even to cultures shaped by technological development and usage. We affirm that technological innovation is an expression of the image of God because human creativity reflects the creativity of God. God created human beings to be technological, that is, to reshape the world so as to promote human flourishing and to care for his creation. As a reflection of God’s image, technology is integral to the work and vocations that the Creator has called all human beings to engage in. In this sense, technological activity is not only about solving particular problems or overcoming human limitations, but more importantly about obeying God’s mandate to care for others and the world, and to glorify the Creator by our creative abilities.