Contemporary western evangelical theology tends to situate technology among ethical adiaphora, seeing it as a neutral element, a means, whose ethical content depends on the end to which it is directed. This course interrogates this understanding, working towards a more nuanced theological and scriptural understanding of the meaning of contemporary technology for the communicative mission of the people of God.
As our contemporary world is affected or even defined by technological change, contemporary Christian formation and practice is often situated exclusively within the epistemological and practical frame of reference created and modeled by a shifting ensemble of technologies. Careful and critical theological reflection on technology is required for students to discern how the Gospel itself reworks us and our world, and how the imperatives of the missio Dei infiltrate, address, take up, and transform this constructed world.
As daily life in the contemporary world is increasingly impacted by continual technological change, Christian mission must account for both the practical effects and theological implications of this change and offer a scripturally and theologically robust ethical response.
Nuanced and synthetic scriptural teaching on technology is a necessary and central element of theological discernment in an increasingly technological world. This class develops such doctrinal resources through rigorous engagement with scripture and with major theological thinkers.
As long as technology is uncritically classed among ethical adiaphora as a neutral element, theological reflection thereupon cannot progress beyond a remedial level. This course pushes students to situate technology within a more robust missiological-theological framework.
Thinking about technology contextually is extremely relevant precisely because technology is often seen as somehow universal, existing outside of contextual relativity. Careful theological interrogation reveals that technological processes and developments are intrinsically laden with numerous contextual elements, and that their effects on various contexts are far from neutral.
Recent technological developments have affected individual and societal life on a species-wide scale. Thinking through how this global impact relates to theological themes necessarily evokes intercultural issues and questions.
This class develops conscious awareness of theological implications of the use and development of technology.
This class requires that students carefully analyze their daily use of and interaction with technology from a theological perspective.
