Shaping a Digital World: Faith, Culture and Computer Technology
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Digital technology has become a ubiquitous feature of modern life. Our increasingly fast-paced world seems more and more remote from the world narrated in Scripture. But despite its pervasiveness, there remains a dearth of theological reflection about computer technology and what it means to live as a faithful Christian in a digitally-saturated society.
In this thoughtful and timely book, Derek Schuurman provides a brief theology of technology, rooted in the Reformed tradition and oriented around the grand themes of creation, fall, redemption and new creation. He combines a concise, accessible style with penetrating cultural and theological analysis. Building on the work of Jacques Ellul, Marshall McLuhan and Neil Postman, and drawing from a wide range of Reformed thinkers, Schuurman situates computer technology within the big picture of the biblical story.
Technology is not neutral, but neither is there an exclusively "Christian" form of technological production and use. Instead, Schuurman guides us to see the digital world as part of God?s good creation, fallen yet redeemable according to the law of God. Responsibly used, technology can become an integral part of God?s shalom for the earth.
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- Explores Christian worldview with respect to computer technology
- Seeks to provide a helpful contribution to the ongoing dialogue about faith and computer technology
- Attempts to provide both practitioners and students working in fields related to computer technology a beginning framework for discovering how their faith relates to their technical work
- Introduction
- Computer Technology and the Unfolding of Creation
- Computer Technology and the Fall
- Redemption and Responsible Computer Technology
- Computer Technology and the Future
- Concluding Thoughts
- Discussion Questions
Schuurman's book is a rare jewel: rare because it is unusual to find genuinely helpful and insightful material on a Christian approach to computer science, a jewel because the author combines impeccable credentials as an engineer with wide reading in history, theology and philosophy to produce a readable and insightful treatment of the topic. I recommend it highly.
--Al Wolters, Redeemer University College
Reflecting a deep understanding of both computer technology and of biblical truths, Derek Schuurman draws parallels between the two that enlighten our understanding and deepen our faith. He shows how a field as technical as computer science can be relevant to spirituality, encouraging every one of us to connect our vocation with our faith. Anyone dabbling in technology and interested in scriptural teaching would benefit from his insights.
--Randy Isaac, executive director of the American Scientific Affiliation
What does it mean to be a Christian in today's high-tech world? This one-of-a-kind book deftly mixes computing technologies and biblical wisdom with the thoughts of people like Fred Brooks, Jacques Ellul, Donald Knuth, Marshall McLuhan, Plato, Neil Postman, Eric Raymond, Linus Torvalds and Sherry Turkle. The result is a heady brew exploring the implications of Christianity for our digital lives. Engagingly written, this book is a must-read for high-tech Christians interested in the question of how their faith and their technology relate to one another.
--Joel Adams, professor of computer science, Calvin College
- Title: Shaping a Digital World: Faith, Culture and Computer Technology
- Author: Derek C. Schuurman
- Publisher: IVP Academic
- Print Publication Date: 2013
- Logos Release Date: 2014
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
- Subjects: Computers › Religious aspects--Christianity; Technology › Religious aspects--Christianity; Religion › Christian life--Social issues
- ISBNs: 9780830884445, 0830884440
- Resource ID: LLS:9780830884445
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-06T21:05:21Z