Conflict With Technology.
Our conflict with technology is a result of a perceived poorer quality of life. However, can technology truly improve our lives – or should we rely on God?
The Conflict with Technology
Our technology is advancing in leaps and bounds, but is it working for us or against us?
Are we happier? Is the world more peaceful? Are things more affordable? Do we have extra time? Are we healthier and smarter? Do we feel safer? Has it helped us relationally and improved our intercommunication? If we are honest, most would agree that our advancements have not improved our quality of life in these areas. Comparatively to ten years ago, we would say things have declined.
Does Technology Improve Our Well-Being?
If a large aspect of our technological progress is intended to improve our well-being, why are many things regressing? Within seconds we can get information we need or visit with someone in live time from the other side of the world… this is to our advantage. The pursuit for knowledge requires much less effort. Through the internet we can retrieve data on any subject imagined. How could we take the steps forward as we have and yet make such great steps backward?
When we turn to the scriptures, we will find that God is the only true answer for improving our well-being. If we look to a material world or adapt to the worlds rational of what makes our lives better, we will find that it is in opposition to the best that God has for us. The world has put our human advancement above God, replacing Him with progressive science. Belief in God is perceived as foolishness today.
Evolution Versus Creation
The theory of evolution has tried to cut Biblical creation out of history, our human rights and democracy see God as an offensive dictator, social media has replaced truth with opinion, and psychology is the substitute of our need for a savior. This has changed our culture, moving us further away from a theistic world view and into an atheistic view. If the world is viewed through the lens of God having no part in history, with no hand in nature, then naturally one generation to the next will see less and less of God in the equation of our existence.
Unfortunately, with progress brings the temptation of self-sufficiency and independence from God. If something the world offers us is drawing us further from God, it is ultimately harmful for us. The Bible affirms this.
Questioning God’s Goodness
In Genesis chapter three, Satan tempted Eve with personal advancement through eating from the forbidden tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil; he first made Eve question God’s goodness to her by asking, “…did God really say that?” making God out to be a liar.
He made her situation appear that God was withholding something from her, that there was a greater insight and knowledge she did not have, and that she was worse off for not having it; “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” She decided to take the fruit and gave it to Adam, and he also ate.
How did that work out for them?
It altered their vision; they saw their nakedness, introducing them to the feeling of shame, they covered themselves and hid from God. God called out to them, asking them where they were and what had happened. They acknowledged God, but they were afraid of Him, and instead of confessing their wrongdoing, they played the “blame game;” Adam pointed to Eve, then Eve pointed to the serpent. They wanted independence without accountability.
Being Like God
Since that day, the temptation of “being like god,” is the bases of our “sin of pride;” we want to be in control, make our own decisions, and thirst for knowledge that is not derived from God. Sadly, He is rejected as the source of true wisdom despite what the Bible teaches in the Book of Job,
With Him is wisdom and might; To Him belong counsel and understanding.
Job 12:3
and in Proverbs,
For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding…
Proverbs 2:6
How did human-kind progress in its knowledge and wisdom, independent of God?
We discussed in an earlier session how Adam and Eve’s firstborn, Cain killed his younger brother. Following this, in Genesis 4:16, Cain left to begin his own family; his children had children, and in time the world began to be populated.
With increased numbers came progress, his descendants began the development of specialized skills; Jabal started herding livestock, Jubal began making musical instruments, and Tubal-Cain was the first craftsman of metal. But with these advancements in society, we notice a regression away from God. We read in Genesis 6:5 The LORD saw the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil.
God had given man the ability to create and be innovative, but instead of thanking God and praising Him for their gifts, He was given no acknowledgement in their gifting and saw it all as from themselves.
King Uzziah and His Lust For Progress
Another good example of this is Israel’s King Uzziah. He started his reign off well, but his lust for progress soon started snowballing. He built towers, succeeded agriculturally, and he advanced in military technology:
IN 2 Chronicles 26:15,16 we read that in Jerusalem he made machines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and great stones. And his fame spread far, for he was marvelously helped, till he was strong. But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction.
His pride in accomplishment turned him away from the Lord. This is a pattern we see in scripture reflective of our current condition.
Artificial Intelligence
In recent years the technology of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has grown, which is a mechanical simulation of natural intelligence: a manufactured mind. The goal is to make a rationally thinking machine that can function like a human. There are many ethical concerns about this, and it raises the question if such an ambition can be achieved, will it be used for the worlds betterment or be abused?
Many fictional stories, movies and TV shows have been produced with the theme of contemplating Artificial Intelligence’s integration into our society with a plot having human characters pitted against the Artificial Intelligence technology. The typical story line is created; free thinking machine, turns against its creator. The irony in this is we hypothetically expect our created intelligence to oppose us, yet we ignore our own defiance against our Creator God.
The Bible Teaches
The Bible teaches us,
Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves…
Psalm 100:3
If God is the creator, like the Bible says, then He is the one who made us. We are accountable to Him. The creation is not greater than the creator, and it does not have a purpose that exceeds its maker. In the New Testament we read,
There is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live.
1 Corinthians 8:6
…and Paul wrote to the church in Colosse,
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.
Colossians 1:16 F
Humanity finds great purpose in its accomplishments, but when God is rejected, purpose is lost, we are working against ourselves. Do you feel a lack of purpose in life? God does not want us to feel this way; He wants our sense of purpose to be found in Him.
Jeremiah 29:11-14 is a very encouraging scripture to consider;
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD…”
Jeremiah 29:11-14
Creative Work in Believers
God sent His Son Jesus to continue His creative work in everyone who will believe in Him. He died on the cross bearing our sin and shame; shedding His blood in His love for us. This is not foolish thinking; this is the power of God to those it has been shown. Our hope of new life in Him is found in His resurrection from the dead! He wants His creation restored back to Himself, giving us new life, wanting us to be what He created us to be.
Ephesians 2:10 says,
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10
Engineers are ambitious to make Artificial Intelligence; but “artificial” is all they will ever manufacture. The “state-of-the–art” belongs to God alone, who gives us “divine intelligence;” wisdom, knowledge, and understanding through His Spirit (Ephesians 1:16-19). The challenge for us is letting our creator/the expert crafter, have His way in us. The clay must submit to the sculptor and the canvas must give itself over to the painter, likewise, in faith, we must give up our “rights,” and independence, trusting that His progressive plans are far better than ours.
Jesus was clear in His intent for us; John 10:10
I have come that they may have life and have it in all its fullness.
John 10:10
You Are God’s Child
There is nothing more exciting in life than knowing you are God’s child and see Him at work in your life! He is a more creative, better planner and thrill maker than we could ever be. Life fully surrendered and lived in the Lord is never found to be boring.
Progress is not a bad thing, but when it downplays God, shoving Him aside, putting humanity’s achievements, wisdom and knowledge above His, this is the distinctive battle. In a world where the majority see God as a myth, there will be a definite friction ahead for those who trust Christ, opposing the world’s views. They consider the Bible obsolete and irrelevant. Christians are often accused of being narrow minded, illogical, and deceived. Do not let this discourage you. Faith in Christ is trusting in the reality of the power of God’s Love:
“…despite all these things, overwhelming victory is yours through Christ, who loved us.”
What do you think is the reason for our conflict with others? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.
The Complete Conquering Conflict Series Links
Mark lives rural in Fenwick, Ontario with his wife Michelle and three boys.
He joined the FBH International team in February 2022, coming from the business world with a design and art background.
Mark is particularly interested in seeing people come to Christ and grow in their faith. He recently produced the series entitled: Sow to Grow.
Mark serves as an elder at Brockview Bible Chapel in St.Catharines , Ontario.
Visit Mark’s contributor’s page here.
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AI – geralt
Prehistoric – ELG21
Apple –athree23
Bible –eyetoeyedesignwhitby
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