How should we see technology?
What does the bible say about technology?
Isaiah 28:24-29
26 For he is rightly instructed; his God teaches him.…..
29 This also comes from the Lord of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.
Isaiah 54:16-17
16 Behold, I have created the smith who blows the fire of coals and produces a weapon for its purpose.
I have also created the ravager to destroy; 17 no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed,
and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.
Psalm 20:7-8
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
8They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.
The dangers in the digital age
“The digital liturgies of the web and social media train us to invest ultimate authority in our own stories and experiences as they separate us from the objective givenness of the embodied world.”
It tells a story of humanity wherein salvation consists of overcoming givenness itself, curating a custom existence, and achieving freedom from boredom, limitation, ignorance, and even death.”
Samuel James – Digital Liturgies: Rediscovering Christian Wisdom in an Online Age
Christ-centred family
as is fitting in the Lord (Colossians 3:18)
for this pleases the Lord (Colossians 3:20)
fearing the Lord. (Colossians 3:22)
Colossians 3:24a- 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.
Recognise the Supremacy of Christ
Colossians 1:15-17
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Remember our union with Christ…
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord (Colossians 2:6)
… you have been filled in him (Colossians 2:10)
… having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith (Colossians 2:12)
And you … God made alive together with him (Colossians 2:13)
If with Christ you died …(Colossians 2:20)
Reject man-made religion and philosophy
- plausible arguments (Colossians 2:4)
- philosophy and empty deceit (Colossians 2:8)
- food and drink, festival, a new moon, Sabbath. (Colossians 2:16)
- asceticism and worship of angels, visions (Colossians 2:18)
- elemental spirits of the world (Colossians 2:20)
- human precepts and teachings (Colossians 2:22)
- self-made religion and asceticism (Colossians 2:23)
Seek and set our minds the things above
Colossians 3:1-2
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Life and glory hidden in Christ
Colossian 3:3-4
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Put away old self and put on new self
| Put to death / put away old self sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, covetousness, which is idolatry, anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene talk |
| Put on new self |
| Compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, bearing with one another, forgiving each other, love. |
Equality in Christ who is in all
Colossian 3:10-11
10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Let Christ rule and dwell in us and be thankful
Colossian 3:15-16
15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Do everything in the name of the Lord
Colossian 3:17
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossian 3:23
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.
How to shine for Christ in the digital age as a family?
| Disciple of ChristSupremacy of Christ, Things above, Identity in Christ, Inheritance from Christ, Atonement and reconciliation, Focused on God’s glory, Thankfulness |
| Discipled by social mediaSupremacy of self, Things on earth, Identity from others, Instant rewards and punishment, Condemnation and ostracization, Focused on our own glory, Ungratefulness |
- Be missional
- Be radical
- Be familial
