The Gospel and Technology

Alastair Roberts: Technology, Redemption and Digital Bibles

In a fascinating two-part discussion, Alastair Roberts traces the theme of technology throughout the Bible’s redemptive story — and then explores the impact of our Bibles’ physical medium (paper, digital etc) on the way we encounter God’s Word. 

Alastair Roberts splits his time between the UK and the United States, writing, teaching, speaking and tweeting about a broad range of topics including Christian ethics, biblical theology and the sacraments. He works for both the Davenant and Theopolis Institutes. 

Podcast Discussion Questions

• Alastair says in his article ‘The story of building civilisation under the conditions of the Fall is a story of technology – language and politics wrenched out of the order they were meant to serve, used to serve grasped glory rather than the glory that is given’. How do you see that pattern play out in Genesis 11:1-9 and Daniel 4:1-37? What warning does that provide for us?

• How does the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21:1-27 differ from Babel? What has made this difference? How could this vision guide and influence your everyday use of technology?

• What do Acts 2:42-27, 2 Corinthians 3:1-3 and Colossians 3:16 show about the role of the Bible in our church gatherings? How can you grow in listening, meditating, singing, rejoicing in and sharing the Bible, especially with others? How might different physical forms of the Bible help or hinder you?

• Are there ways technology might distract you from pursuing what God loves? Are there ways you might need to be more ‘inefficient’ in everyday life to pursue God’s purposes for relationships?