Technology in Kingdom Come

Witnessing some relations ooo and ahh over impressive weaponry a while back struck a chord with me--one that was off key and dissonant to my soul. I'm the product of a southern culture that embraces guns, knives, and other assorted weaponry as normal, even constitutionally approved, so why did it bother me now?

Who knows? I promptly let the uncomfortable feelings pass and didn't think about it for several weeks. However, the roads in my mind are twisty, windy, and crisscross at some inconvenient points. Lying awake in the middle of the night last week, I finally put my finger on some of the questions surrounding my discomfort. I don't have answers, but they definitely poked at some of my underlying beliefs and ideas. But first, some background...

Several of the books I have been reading lately have been related to humanity's relationship with technology--mainly in regards to cell phones and internet age devices, not weaponry. A few of them have been through a biblical lens and others purely academic. But one of the books I ended up disliking as a whole provided some good fuel for thought regardless. (Note: This author had a broad definition of technology--all tools throughout time, not just digital age)

The author grappled with the idea that technology isn't neutral--whether we use a tool for good or evil, it still influences us in some way. I could dig a hole to hide a crime or dig a hole to plant flowers--either way I'd end up with blisters or calluses from the shovel. Reflecting the image of the creator God, it naturally follows that we'd be creating as well--technology included--and that technology would in turn shape us. After all, we'd been given a world full of raw material and told to abad (cultivate/serve/work) and shamar (keep/protect/guard).

And create we have, but always imperfectly after the fall. Creation has been shattered and no matter how we attempt to put together the pieces, we will still see the cracks. The rest of Scripture tells the story of God's restoration and redemption plan with all its twist and turns, ups and downs. And at long last Jesus announced the kingdom of God was at hand--the reversal of the Fall is imminent! That is some very good news indeed.

So what happens with all the stuff humanity has been creating and building upon for thousands of year? Revelation speaks of a city in addition to Eden restored. Sounds like some of what humanity has created will be redeemed. The cracks repaired. All things made new. But as Peter says, what is old and broken about this earth--including some of our technologies--will go up in smoke. And here is where the questions came flooding in the wee hours:

• If we look forward to the day when swords will be beaten into plowshares, should we revel in something that ultimately won't make it into eternity?

• Which technologies created to survive a broken world will become irrelevant in the new creation?

• How do we live with those tools now with our eyes on the ultimate restoration?

• Recognizing that the world isn't supposed to be this way, how do we limit their hold on our affections?

• Should I be concerned about there being less of a particular tool/technology being created, disseminated, and used that has no place in the Kingdom come?

We know that the sun, moon, and artificial lighting won't be necessary, but I haven't spent hours talking about and comparing the latest and greatest light bulbs. Yet other technologies seem to capture our hearts, imaginations, identity, and lust for power/control more than others. If technology isn't neutral, then how are the particularly attractive tools shaping our lives, thoughts, words, and actions. Prophet Haggai's words keep come to mind and begs the question: Who's house are we building? If I'm going to use a tool, I'd much rather earn my calluses planting the flowers of restoration than destruction.