Humility and Technology
The internet, like any tool, can be used for both good and bad purposes. How does God expect us to use the internet? What mindset might be best to approach the use of modern technologies with? The virtue of humility is a place to start.
Notes:
Questions:
How is the Internet both good and bad?
With great power there is great responsibility.
How can I glorify God in using the Internet?
What does it look like for me to use the Internet as a faithful follower of Christ?
Reading:
Humility is a crucial virtue in the age of cyberspace. It reminds us to accept our technological limits and then to live thankfully within them. Humility leads to a healthy skepticism and even a reticence: a willingness, when appropriate, to say no to some technologies or to particular uses of them, while remaining grateful for those that help us to live more fully as virtuous stewards of our time and talents…
If we lack humility, our technological activities will express merely our own selfish contempt for the world….
The virtue of humility directs us away from selfish cyber-desires and toward the needs of our neighbors. Even in a high-tech society, being humble means taking on the burdens of a broken creation rather than merely satisfying one’s personal desires…
Some of the most radical decisions we make as humble caretakers of the world are those that involve what not to do with technology, because in the surrounding culture of gluttony, non-technique is rarely considered a worthy option. We need to realize that mindlessly adopting the latest consumer technologies might put us in debt, not just to the bank but even more deeply to arrogance. Humility asks us to justify our technological decisions not on the basis of what they do for our egos but on the basis of caring for others as responsible stewards of the gift of creation. Being humble, then, does not mean that we must reject technology. Instead, it focuses us on serving others in the most selfless and least bellicose way possible.
Quentin Schultze, Habits of the High-Tech Heart, 2002
Scripture:
The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:7-11 NIV
“Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. 44 Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. 45 That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage."
Mark 10:43-45 MSG
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34; 15:12,17 NIV
Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.
Romans 13:8 NLT