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God, Technology, and the Christian Life
What Does God Think about Technology?
Many Christians remain perplexed about modern technology. New iPhones and social media platforms, self-driving cars, and genetic engineering all prove that human innovation is not slowing down for anyone. But as technologies multiply and life in this age becomes more complex, the questions become more stark: What does God think of human technology? Is he threatened by all its power? Is he trying to dismantle Silicon Valley?
In his latest book, journalist Tony Reinke addresses these and other hard questions head-on from the Bible. By turning to 9 key passages and engaging with several theologians and thinkers, Reinke seeks to dismantle 12 common myths Christians often hold about technology, helping them understand the story of where human innovation came from and to embrace the church's essential role in it.
Many Christians remain perplexed about modern technology. New iPhones and social media platforms, self-driving cars, and genetic engineering all prove that human innovation is not slowing down for anyone. But as technologies multiply and life in this age becomes more complex, the questions become more stark: What does God think of human technology? Is he threatened by all its power? Is he trying to dismantle Silicon Valley?
In his latest book, journalist Tony Reinke addresses these and other hard questions head-on from the Bible. By turning to 9 key passages and engaging with several theologians and thinkers, Reinke seeks to dismantle 12 common myths Christians often hold about technology, helping them understand the story of where human innovation came from and to embrace the church's essential role in it.
316 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2021
119 people are currently reading
1194 people want to read
About the author
Tony Reinke
15 books688 followersTony Reinke hosts the popular Ask Pastor John podcast and serves as the Communications Director for desiringGod.org. He has authored five books including *12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You* (2017). He lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and their three children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
March 11, 2023
"It's going to be aa wild ride. It won't always be comfortable. We will overreach. We will attempt too much. We will make mistakes and main ourselves along the way" We will always be in need of correction. But by faith we can rest assured that the technetium will never escape God's...limiters. So I'm optimistic- not optimistic in man, but optimistic in the God who governs every nutt, bolt, chain, and seat belt in this wild technological carnival ride." page 296
I loved this book. Hopefully I'll come back to it and read it again at a later date. Reinke so perfectly addresses thee problem of technology, starting with Cain and Abel. He takes a different angle than most technology books- mainly focusing on the fact the technology will never satisfy you. The biggest problem with innovators is their desire to replace and ignore God.
My main takeaway- God is sovereign. Over every little detail of every single life. This includes the materials in the earth, the innovators that use them, and the technologies that result. Nothing happens outside of His sovereign plan. The end of the book focused on how Christians can continue to use technology if we focus our hearts on Christ and seek Him first.
This was quite a comforting book to read. I would recommend it to everyone (even unbelievers).
However, there might be a couple of interpretative issues that I disagree with.
I loved this book. Hopefully I'll come back to it and read it again at a later date. Reinke so perfectly addresses thee problem of technology, starting with Cain and Abel. He takes a different angle than most technology books- mainly focusing on the fact the technology will never satisfy you. The biggest problem with innovators is their desire to replace and ignore God.
My main takeaway- God is sovereign. Over every little detail of every single life. This includes the materials in the earth, the innovators that use them, and the technologies that result. Nothing happens outside of His sovereign plan. The end of the book focused on how Christians can continue to use technology if we focus our hearts on Christ and seek Him first.
This was quite a comforting book to read. I would recommend it to everyone (even unbelievers).
However, there might be a couple of interpretative issues that I disagree with.
June 14, 2023
12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You has blessed me and shaped me immensely. Because of that, I was not expecting to end this book with such a bad taste in my mouth. This was not the conversation I was expecting. I am, by Tony's definition, a "Christian Agrarian". Surprisingly, this book full of "tech optimism" has left me reaching my roots down even further into my position of tech-minimalism.
The problem with tech-optimism is that it often fails to recognize that there is objective superiority in all things. Every time we choose to upgrade, we lose something. Whether it be beauty, intention, focus, connection to nature, etc. Not all technologies are morally wrong, but we have to accept that there are "old paths" that are objectively superior to modern advancements. Is reading lyrics from an LED TV screen instead of an old hymnal morally wrong? No. Not one bit. But we do lose something (even if I can't put into words what) when we don't have those open books with tangible pages and music in front of us. Are ovens that connect to the WiFi so that they can be turned on remotely morally wrong? No. But are they frivolous, promote ease, and have potential health affects? Yes. An oven in general is a wonderful technology. But we must draw the line.
Even still, Tony did not talk about things like TV screens or ovens that connect to WiFi in this book. His examples of positive technological advancements laid out amongst 300 pages of rambling were consistently vaccines, the moon landing, and antibiotics. Seriously. I tried to read past that, but it really weakened his argument. A big premise of this books is that Christians do not believe God is sovereign over technology. Maybe I just don't run in those circles, but I don't know any Christians like that. Surprisingly, there was little to no discussion about God's sovereign will vs. God's moral will, which MUST be discussed if we're going to talk about things like medical advancements and living on Mars. In my opinion it's more accurate to say that Christians are seeing rising technologies that are direct defiances of God's design and are actually doing something about it. As we should. I think this book fails to recognize that drawing the line is not the same thing as fearing technology.
I am going to go read some Wendell Berry and Joel Salatin to cleanse the palate.
The problem with tech-optimism is that it often fails to recognize that there is objective superiority in all things. Every time we choose to upgrade, we lose something. Whether it be beauty, intention, focus, connection to nature, etc. Not all technologies are morally wrong, but we have to accept that there are "old paths" that are objectively superior to modern advancements. Is reading lyrics from an LED TV screen instead of an old hymnal morally wrong? No. Not one bit. But we do lose something (even if I can't put into words what) when we don't have those open books with tangible pages and music in front of us. Are ovens that connect to the WiFi so that they can be turned on remotely morally wrong? No. But are they frivolous, promote ease, and have potential health affects? Yes. An oven in general is a wonderful technology. But we must draw the line.
Even still, Tony did not talk about things like TV screens or ovens that connect to WiFi in this book. His examples of positive technological advancements laid out amongst 300 pages of rambling were consistently vaccines, the moon landing, and antibiotics. Seriously. I tried to read past that, but it really weakened his argument. A big premise of this books is that Christians do not believe God is sovereign over technology. Maybe I just don't run in those circles, but I don't know any Christians like that. Surprisingly, there was little to no discussion about God's sovereign will vs. God's moral will, which MUST be discussed if we're going to talk about things like medical advancements and living on Mars. In my opinion it's more accurate to say that Christians are seeing rising technologies that are direct defiances of God's design and are actually doing something about it. As we should. I think this book fails to recognize that drawing the line is not the same thing as fearing technology.
I am going to go read some Wendell Berry and Joel Salatin to cleanse the palate.
February 24, 2022
Review originally posted at https://www.kevinhalloran.net/god-tec...
Tony Reinke, author of 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You and Competing Spectacles, just released his newest book God, Technology, and the Christian Life—his biblical theology of technology. I really enjoy reading Reinke on technology and had been eager to get my hands on this book since I first heard about it a couple of years ago.
Reinke almost called this book A Christian Optimist's Guide to Modern Technology. "Tech is not all roses, but it's not all bad Apples either," Reinke writes. "This book is my case for a more positive view of human innovation and innovators."
The structure of the book answers six key questions about technology:
1) What is Technology?
2) What is God's Relationship to Technology?
3) Where Do Our Technologies Come From?
4) What Can Technology Never Accomplish?
5) When Do Our Technologies End?
6) How Should We Use Technology Today?
He answers each question focusing on nine key sections of Scripture (Genesis 4:1–26; 6:11–22; 11:1–9; 1 Samuel 17:1–58; Job 28:1–28; Psalm 20:1–9; Isaiah 28:23–29; 54:16–17; and Revelation 18:1–24) and by profiling nine influential voices on the topic of technology throughout (John Calvin, Charles Spurgeon, Abraham Kuyper, Herman Bavinck, Jacques Ellul, Wendell Berry, Kevin Kelly, Elon Musk, and Yuval Noah Harari).
If I had to summarize the book's message in a sentence, it would be that God is sovereign over technology. (I know, a big shocker for a guy who works for John Piper's ministry!) Everything related to the invention, innovation, and use of technology is under God's control. And that's good news for an age when many of our greatest technologies also cause many of our greatest problems.
"No maverick machine, bot, or genetic edit can thwart the governance of God. He can allow them to run amuck and do real damage, but he can stop them too. God has set limits. He can, and does, and will continue to intrude upon our tech aspirations at his own will. What countless catastrophes has he stopped already?"
If you stop and think about how much technology governs our lives, it might scare you. Then you factor in what is coming down the pike in terms of technology: transhumanism, the colonization of Mars, sex robots, even better artificial intelligence, and high-tech government surveillance… you might just buy a cabin off-the-grid somewhere and call it a life. But we don't need to fear. And God's sovereignty is also a reason to be optimistic: good will come from technology as He has ordained since the very beginning of time.
God, Technology, and the Christian Life is a book for tech early-adapters, luddites, and everyone in between. Reinke's research is thorough, knowledge of theology illuminating, outlook on tech realistic, and tone both comforting and worshipful. This book gave me hope, both in the wonderful promise of technology to do good for humanity (and even push back the curse at times!) and in the One sovereign over every element of technology and its use.
Because technology is such a huge part of our everyday lives, we would all benefit from Reinke's biblical theology of technology. We need to see technology and its role as God does instead of living naively by technology's dictates. Reinke is a faithful teacher who will help you do just that.
I'll let Reinke have the last word in this brief review:
"The ultimate point of technology (in any age) is to point us back to the glory and the generosity and the majesty and self-sufficiency of the Creator himself. And the ultimate goal of technology is to usher us deeper into the creative genius of God, to direct our hearts to God, to adore him and to thank him for our daily bread. God’s glory is the end of creation and the aim of all our innovations. He is worthy of our lives, worthy of our best inventions, worthy of all praise."
Tony Reinke, author of 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You and Competing Spectacles, just released his newest book God, Technology, and the Christian Life—his biblical theology of technology. I really enjoy reading Reinke on technology and had been eager to get my hands on this book since I first heard about it a couple of years ago.
Reinke almost called this book A Christian Optimist's Guide to Modern Technology. "Tech is not all roses, but it's not all bad Apples either," Reinke writes. "This book is my case for a more positive view of human innovation and innovators."
The structure of the book answers six key questions about technology:
1) What is Technology?
2) What is God's Relationship to Technology?
3) Where Do Our Technologies Come From?
4) What Can Technology Never Accomplish?
5) When Do Our Technologies End?
6) How Should We Use Technology Today?
He answers each question focusing on nine key sections of Scripture (Genesis 4:1–26; 6:11–22; 11:1–9; 1 Samuel 17:1–58; Job 28:1–28; Psalm 20:1–9; Isaiah 28:23–29; 54:16–17; and Revelation 18:1–24) and by profiling nine influential voices on the topic of technology throughout (John Calvin, Charles Spurgeon, Abraham Kuyper, Herman Bavinck, Jacques Ellul, Wendell Berry, Kevin Kelly, Elon Musk, and Yuval Noah Harari).
If I had to summarize the book's message in a sentence, it would be that God is sovereign over technology. (I know, a big shocker for a guy who works for John Piper's ministry!) Everything related to the invention, innovation, and use of technology is under God's control. And that's good news for an age when many of our greatest technologies also cause many of our greatest problems.
"No maverick machine, bot, or genetic edit can thwart the governance of God. He can allow them to run amuck and do real damage, but he can stop them too. God has set limits. He can, and does, and will continue to intrude upon our tech aspirations at his own will. What countless catastrophes has he stopped already?"
If you stop and think about how much technology governs our lives, it might scare you. Then you factor in what is coming down the pike in terms of technology: transhumanism, the colonization of Mars, sex robots, even better artificial intelligence, and high-tech government surveillance… you might just buy a cabin off-the-grid somewhere and call it a life. But we don't need to fear. And God's sovereignty is also a reason to be optimistic: good will come from technology as He has ordained since the very beginning of time.
God, Technology, and the Christian Life is a book for tech early-adapters, luddites, and everyone in between. Reinke's research is thorough, knowledge of theology illuminating, outlook on tech realistic, and tone both comforting and worshipful. This book gave me hope, both in the wonderful promise of technology to do good for humanity (and even push back the curse at times!) and in the One sovereign over every element of technology and its use.
Because technology is such a huge part of our everyday lives, we would all benefit from Reinke's biblical theology of technology. We need to see technology and its role as God does instead of living naively by technology's dictates. Reinke is a faithful teacher who will help you do just that.
I'll let Reinke have the last word in this brief review:
"The ultimate point of technology (in any age) is to point us back to the glory and the generosity and the majesty and self-sufficiency of the Creator himself. And the ultimate goal of technology is to usher us deeper into the creative genius of God, to direct our hearts to God, to adore him and to thank him for our daily bread. God’s glory is the end of creation and the aim of all our innovations. He is worthy of our lives, worthy of our best inventions, worthy of all praise."
February 10, 2023
Realmente esse livro é bem mais completo. Gostei demais!
Se eu puder sugerir um ordem de leitura seria esse primeiro e só depois o "guerra dos espetáculos".
Se eu puder sugerir um ordem de leitura seria esse primeiro e só depois o "guerra dos espetáculos".
February 23, 2022
No matter your stance on technology--whether you're an optimist or pessimist, an early-adopter or a luddite--it’s undeniable that we live a “technological age,” which requires us to give careful attention to the topic. Reinke is a helpful guide in this. He's a self-described "tech optimist," so he provides a healthy counterbalance for the Wendell Berry/Neil Postman/etc. readers (like myself). That said, I don't think this book should be read in isolation. It is broad but not as deep as it should be in critical areas (for some of the more complex questions it seems to be deliberately vague).
The thing about this book that stands out most is its God-centeredness. By this I mean that at every turn, in every chapter, Reinke reverts our attention back to God and his relation to our technology: "God's glory is end of creation and the end of all our innovations." He makes abundantly clear that God is sovereign over all our technologies and all our innovations—ordering, preserving, sustaining, limiting, frustrating, and guiding as He sees fit.
Another strength is how Reinke grounds all his points in Scripture. He builds the book around nine “key texts”: Genesis 4:1-26; Gen. 6:11-22; Gen. 11:1-9; 1 Samuel 17:1-58; Job 28:1-28; Psalm 20:1-9; Isaiah 28:23-29; Isaiah 54:16-17; Revelation 18:1-24. He doesn't overuse passages, but he extracts a lot of important points from verses that usually go overlooked in these discussions.
The thing about this book that stands out most is its God-centeredness. By this I mean that at every turn, in every chapter, Reinke reverts our attention back to God and his relation to our technology: "God's glory is end of creation and the end of all our innovations." He makes abundantly clear that God is sovereign over all our technologies and all our innovations—ordering, preserving, sustaining, limiting, frustrating, and guiding as He sees fit.
Another strength is how Reinke grounds all his points in Scripture. He builds the book around nine “key texts”: Genesis 4:1-26; Gen. 6:11-22; Gen. 11:1-9; 1 Samuel 17:1-58; Job 28:1-28; Psalm 20:1-9; Isaiah 28:23-29; Isaiah 54:16-17; Revelation 18:1-24. He doesn't overuse passages, but he extracts a lot of important points from verses that usually go overlooked in these discussions.
February 24, 2022
God, Technology, and the Christian Life by Tony Reinke addresses an important topic that affects a vast number of readers. The title conjures images of Christ-followers who jettison technology and seek refuge in a monastery. But nothing could be further from the truth. This book is a biblical theology of technology. The author seeks to build his case for human innovation and also warn readers of the dangers of technology.
Reinke navigates the stormy waters of technology in a skillful and winsome way. He argues, “It’s a good time for Christians to think about God’s relationship to technology as we ask questions about the origin of our gadgets.” He tips his hat to technology but also warns how it easily morphs into idolatrous obsession.
One of the most encouraging aspects of this book is the focus on God’s providential control over all things - including Silicon Valley. It is an inside look at the sovereignty of God and the role that technology plays in our lives - for good or ill. The author writes:
In what may prove to be the most important sentence in the book, Reinke writes, “We are not called to stifle all new tech but to live with enough trust in God’s providential control to celebrate the tech wealth offered to us while also demonstrating God-centered contentment required for a life of tech minimalism.”
Such a God-centered paradigm is a mighty help, especially for those who have not stopped to consider the implications of the technium. God, Technology, and the Christian Life is a soul-shaping book. The insight that Reinke offers is deeply convicting. But the author is not content to leave readers in sackcloth and ashes. His aim is to inspire them. He wants readers to set their sights on the New Earth where they will glorify God and enjoy him forever.
Reinke navigates the stormy waters of technology in a skillful and winsome way. He argues, “It’s a good time for Christians to think about God’s relationship to technology as we ask questions about the origin of our gadgets.” He tips his hat to technology but also warns how it easily morphs into idolatrous obsession.
One of the most encouraging aspects of this book is the focus on God’s providential control over all things - including Silicon Valley. It is an inside look at the sovereignty of God and the role that technology plays in our lives - for good or ill. The author writes:
Our lives are a spritz-mist in the desert that evaporates before hitting the ground ... We are creatures of clay. Our pseudo-control over the variables of this world is an idolatrous illusion. Instead, we affirm with the psalmist that God has governed my destiny until now, he is the source of all I need today, and he holds my future secure.
In what may prove to be the most important sentence in the book, Reinke writes, “We are not called to stifle all new tech but to live with enough trust in God’s providential control to celebrate the tech wealth offered to us while also demonstrating God-centered contentment required for a life of tech minimalism.”
Such a God-centered paradigm is a mighty help, especially for those who have not stopped to consider the implications of the technium. God, Technology, and the Christian Life is a soul-shaping book. The insight that Reinke offers is deeply convicting. But the author is not content to leave readers in sackcloth and ashes. His aim is to inspire them. He wants readers to set their sights on the New Earth where they will glorify God and enjoy him forever.
January 25, 2022
The computer I am typing this book review on is a marvel of technological innovation and achievement. But what does God have to say about our tech tools and toys? In God, Technology, and the Christian Life, Tony Reinke helps Christians live by faith in the age of big tech.
A Comprehensive Theology of Technology
First started as a ten-page introduction to his excellent book 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You – God, Technology, and the Christian Life is a comprehensive theology of technology. Broad in scope and Biblical throughout, I was fascinated and captivated by Reinke’s words.
The six chapters ask the important questions: (1) What is technology? (2) What is God’s relationship to technology? (3) Where do our technologies come from? (4) What can technology never accomplish? (5) When do our technologies end? and (6) How should we use technology today? Nine voices pop up throughout the book – John Calvin, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Abraham Kuyper, Herman Bavinck, Jacques Ellul, Wendell Berry, Kevin Kelly, Elon Musk, and Yuval Noah Harari – and Reinke introduces and interacts with their ideas.
Applied Science and Amplified Power
Reinke defines technology as applied science and amplified power. This is illustrated in the story of David and Goliath, and Reinke uses Biblical examples throughout the book to explain technological concepts and God-centered reality. We are shown that God calls each of his children to make faith-based decisions on how we use the available technologies in this world.
I was most interested to read how the Biblical passages of farming and God’s providence still apply to us in our world of modern technology. Reinke states that (1) Farming is our primary tech, (2) All tech has ancestors, and (3) Every innovation is patterned by agriculture. The Coronavirus showed us how scientific innovation, especially in battling disease, is a divine gift. Reinke then gives 13 takeaways regarding the relationship between technology and our Creator.
Deliverance and Joy in Jesus
We are reminded that death is our ultimate enemy, but it is something that technology will never be able to defeat. So the Christian Gospel is superior to the Gospel of Technology. After a compelling theology of cities, the book embarks on an excursus: Will there be old tech in the New Creation? Reinke believes that technology continues in the New Jerusalem, and I am convinced to become a tech optimist.
The book ends by calling the reader to consider 14 ethical convictions regarding technology. Christians can respect the gifts of science and non-Christian innovators. We get comfortable with tech minimalism. We commit to wielding innovations in faith. And we submit our innovations to the wisdom that subverts the powers of man. The book ends with 9 ways God enforces tech limiters, and a call to find your deliverance and joy in Jesus, seeing God as we wonder, stand in awe, and enjoy his gifts of technology.
God’s Governing Hand
This book has changed the way I see the world. I see God’s governing hand behind our greatest innovators and grandest inventions. I see how tech can change us, but also how we can use it with care and courage. I see hope in a New Heaven and New Earth with a kind and generous Creator. I see more of Jesus.
I received a media copy of God, Technology, and the Christian Life and this is my honest review.
A Comprehensive Theology of Technology
First started as a ten-page introduction to his excellent book 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You – God, Technology, and the Christian Life is a comprehensive theology of technology. Broad in scope and Biblical throughout, I was fascinated and captivated by Reinke’s words.
The six chapters ask the important questions: (1) What is technology? (2) What is God’s relationship to technology? (3) Where do our technologies come from? (4) What can technology never accomplish? (5) When do our technologies end? and (6) How should we use technology today? Nine voices pop up throughout the book – John Calvin, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Abraham Kuyper, Herman Bavinck, Jacques Ellul, Wendell Berry, Kevin Kelly, Elon Musk, and Yuval Noah Harari – and Reinke introduces and interacts with their ideas.
Applied Science and Amplified Power
Reinke defines technology as applied science and amplified power. This is illustrated in the story of David and Goliath, and Reinke uses Biblical examples throughout the book to explain technological concepts and God-centered reality. We are shown that God calls each of his children to make faith-based decisions on how we use the available technologies in this world.
I was most interested to read how the Biblical passages of farming and God’s providence still apply to us in our world of modern technology. Reinke states that (1) Farming is our primary tech, (2) All tech has ancestors, and (3) Every innovation is patterned by agriculture. The Coronavirus showed us how scientific innovation, especially in battling disease, is a divine gift. Reinke then gives 13 takeaways regarding the relationship between technology and our Creator.
Deliverance and Joy in Jesus
We are reminded that death is our ultimate enemy, but it is something that technology will never be able to defeat. So the Christian Gospel is superior to the Gospel of Technology. After a compelling theology of cities, the book embarks on an excursus: Will there be old tech in the New Creation? Reinke believes that technology continues in the New Jerusalem, and I am convinced to become a tech optimist.
The book ends by calling the reader to consider 14 ethical convictions regarding technology. Christians can respect the gifts of science and non-Christian innovators. We get comfortable with tech minimalism. We commit to wielding innovations in faith. And we submit our innovations to the wisdom that subverts the powers of man. The book ends with 9 ways God enforces tech limiters, and a call to find your deliverance and joy in Jesus, seeing God as we wonder, stand in awe, and enjoy his gifts of technology.
God’s Governing Hand
This book has changed the way I see the world. I see God’s governing hand behind our greatest innovators and grandest inventions. I see how tech can change us, but also how we can use it with care and courage. I see hope in a New Heaven and New Earth with a kind and generous Creator. I see more of Jesus.
I received a media copy of God, Technology, and the Christian Life and this is my honest review.
March 8, 2022
Does God really have anything to say about Technology and how we should live with/without it as Christians?
Author, Tony Reinke, is the grandson of farming & agricultural tech giants from the mid west, coming to his interest for this topic, literally since birth. Others have given quite detailed reviews for the book contents so I will refrain from repeating them.
What I found unique was Reinke tracing technology back to the birth of the world - does it get any more techie than creating a world, man and all its inhabitants from a total void? Some might find it a stretch but there are many tech examples in the O. T. - David & Goliath, Noah & his really big boat, the tower at Babel, Solomon’s Temple and so many more technologically amazing feats that are recorded in the pages of the Bible. God was there, man was there, there is valuable guidance for how to live with technology in the experiences of those that came before us.
Another reviewer declared that this book was “Calvinist”. I’m not sure that an inanimate object is capable of such a feat. I found Reinke’s approach to be fair, non accusatory and drawn from the Biblical references which are from the ESV translation. In fact, IMO, Reinke goes out of his way to present all sides of the technology issue by including contributions and philosophies of folks like Elon Musk, Huval Harari, Kevin Kelly and Wendell Berry; not a Calvinist in the bunch!
Inclusion of those tech giant’s doesn’t cause Reinke to stray from his goal of identifying God’s place in technology and the life of Christians. Technology is a constantly changing target. Today’s top of the line phone or TV is tomorrow’s door stop but the principles that guide how we interact with technology in our daily lives are found in the truths of scripture and that is unchanging.
All things considered, incredibly interesting and vitally important for all who use technology today📚
Author, Tony Reinke, is the grandson of farming & agricultural tech giants from the mid west, coming to his interest for this topic, literally since birth. Others have given quite detailed reviews for the book contents so I will refrain from repeating them.
What I found unique was Reinke tracing technology back to the birth of the world - does it get any more techie than creating a world, man and all its inhabitants from a total void? Some might find it a stretch but there are many tech examples in the O. T. - David & Goliath, Noah & his really big boat, the tower at Babel, Solomon’s Temple and so many more technologically amazing feats that are recorded in the pages of the Bible. God was there, man was there, there is valuable guidance for how to live with technology in the experiences of those that came before us.
Another reviewer declared that this book was “Calvinist”. I’m not sure that an inanimate object is capable of such a feat. I found Reinke’s approach to be fair, non accusatory and drawn from the Biblical references which are from the ESV translation. In fact, IMO, Reinke goes out of his way to present all sides of the technology issue by including contributions and philosophies of folks like Elon Musk, Huval Harari, Kevin Kelly and Wendell Berry; not a Calvinist in the bunch!
Inclusion of those tech giant’s doesn’t cause Reinke to stray from his goal of identifying God’s place in technology and the life of Christians. Technology is a constantly changing target. Today’s top of the line phone or TV is tomorrow’s door stop but the principles that guide how we interact with technology in our daily lives are found in the truths of scripture and that is unchanging.
All things considered, incredibly interesting and vitally important for all who use technology today📚
March 5, 2025
This book was amazing. Really changed my perspective of technology - right down to my definition of the word. I think it’s a helpful read for those struggling with existing in (and raising kids in) this very digital age.
This book is INCREDIBLY researched, drawing from vastly different resources on varying subjects from agriculture to COVID to legos. It felt rich with knowledge and depth of being pro-science and pro-technology within the confines of God’s omnipotence, complete with Scripture to back up almost every point made. Color me impressed.
What resonated the most was the tone of hope - so many Christian books (esp about modern subjects) make their $ on a doomsday mentality.
“Technology is God’s gift to mankind to push back against the curse.”
This book is INCREDIBLY researched, drawing from vastly different resources on varying subjects from agriculture to COVID to legos. It felt rich with knowledge and depth of being pro-science and pro-technology within the confines of God’s omnipotence, complete with Scripture to back up almost every point made. Color me impressed.
What resonated the most was the tone of hope - so many Christian books (esp about modern subjects) make their $ on a doomsday mentality.
“Technology is God’s gift to mankind to push back against the curse.”
April 9, 2022
I would be close to putting this in the “must-read” category for Christians. If you find yourself wondering how faith and technology can coincide or what is going to happen as innovation continues to plow forward, this book is an absolute must. God is not surprised by technology, but in fact Lords over it. We have no need to fear. We pursue wisdom and rest in the one who sovereignly oversees all.
April 4, 2022
Great pop level overview of the questions at play in a Christian's relationship to technology. Reinke does not dive too deep into particular fields (like biotech or AI), but gives a decent structure for thinking about their key issues.
June 27, 2023
This was one of the weirdest or worst and most pain stakingly long books I've read as of yet. Theologically, and the uses of scripture are fantastic, which makes it that much more alarming. The book very subtly calls out techno pessimists, agrarians, luddites, and generally anyone with a personal conviction as being either legalists, close minded, but ultimately rebelling against the Sovereign God if they don't have the newest iPhone, brain implant, vaccine, or use CRISPR to make boutique babies... Numerous times he makes disparaging definitive statements toward anyone who thinks differently while totally dismissing the idea that maybe some of these technologies cause or have caused a Christian to struggle, sin, or were a catalyst of many evils that someone was plucked out of and given a new heart by the grace of God (such as myself and past involvements of the dregs of social media). His very naïve takes on everything from internet, phones, AI, social media, vaccines, to brain chips, to intergalactic space travel, even down to primitive biblical farming tools are alarming. Can these things be used for good, yes. Can they also be used for evil, yes. Did God give us all of these things by his providence, yes. Does he allow them to be used as vessels for good, and for evil, yes. Does that mean I must indiscriminately and without personal conviction marvel at and participate in every advancement of tech, no. I appreciate all that God has created, all that he willfully and gracefully provides, and that said I also praise him for the wisdom he has given me to see the cautionary tails of what this tech can do. Nuclear weapons serve no other purpose than to kill, eradicate massive amounts of people in the bright blink of an eye. Space travel is not real, to steal words from a special lady, if God prevented men from building a tower to heaven, what makes us think he will allow those such as Elon to build a "space ark" to travel the cosmos looking for a new planet."
I'm glad I read this book, there are some good arguments laid forth, it's just that maybe this book needs a sequel or maybe it just needs to be re-written as it's a bit chaotic and all over the place. He did finally touch briefly on the concept that maybe some technological advancements are actually the real time reality of Romans 1:18-32. Like I don't own a computer, because I don't need one, I don't have COVID vaccines, because I don't need em, I have a phone but I don't want it. I don't have a brain chip, because I don't need to know everything, only what wisdom God chooses to reveal through scripture and the books I'm guided to read, or the mistakes I make and learn from. I don't need a CRISPR kit because I trust God will do what is right and my children will be born as he wills and either way a child period is a wonderful blessing. I don't need social media because I can interact with people in reality and in the church.
At the end of it I think we need to be careful insinuating a sinful fear of technology and rebellion of truly saved saints in what seems to be a 300pg cope and justification of an individuals perhaps, unhealthy reliance on Gods repurposed created elements. The most alarming of all was his thoughts on the pandemic and how great is was that internet video church became a thing. No, the true example of Gods majesty was all of the saints and churches that said "No", we will not cease gathering on the Lords day, let alone will we force distancing, masks, and vaccine cards." I wasn't even a believing, interested, let alone saved Christian at that time and even in 2020 I was like wow more Christians are nominal and quicker to deny Christ than I thought.
All in all I think we can look at the technological advancements and take a similar Charles Spurgeon approach as bible believing and God glorifying Christians and say, sure can some technologies make our lives easier, can they be edifying like a video call to a distant grandparent, or lawn care take a fraction of the time? Yes, they can, however what are you going to do with the time saved? Will you waste it away with movies, endless scrolling, or the newest gadget? Will it get you into God's word more often, prayer more often, leading a Godly household more effortlessly, into a good book? If not then technology is not conducive to the Christian, and it cannot replace the Christ sized hole in our hearts. As Samuel James says, "Everyone is looking for a glimpse of heaven, we are just looking for it in the wrong place, the internet."
I enjoyed the authors other books, and I guess this one just came out of left field especially from a reformed perspective. I know Samuel D. James has his book Digital Liturgies coming out this fall that I will read and see what/if he says from his counter point of view.
I'm glad I read this book, there are some good arguments laid forth, it's just that maybe this book needs a sequel or maybe it just needs to be re-written as it's a bit chaotic and all over the place. He did finally touch briefly on the concept that maybe some technological advancements are actually the real time reality of Romans 1:18-32. Like I don't own a computer, because I don't need one, I don't have COVID vaccines, because I don't need em, I have a phone but I don't want it. I don't have a brain chip, because I don't need to know everything, only what wisdom God chooses to reveal through scripture and the books I'm guided to read, or the mistakes I make and learn from. I don't need a CRISPR kit because I trust God will do what is right and my children will be born as he wills and either way a child period is a wonderful blessing. I don't need social media because I can interact with people in reality and in the church.
At the end of it I think we need to be careful insinuating a sinful fear of technology and rebellion of truly saved saints in what seems to be a 300pg cope and justification of an individuals perhaps, unhealthy reliance on Gods repurposed created elements. The most alarming of all was his thoughts on the pandemic and how great is was that internet video church became a thing. No, the true example of Gods majesty was all of the saints and churches that said "No", we will not cease gathering on the Lords day, let alone will we force distancing, masks, and vaccine cards." I wasn't even a believing, interested, let alone saved Christian at that time and even in 2020 I was like wow more Christians are nominal and quicker to deny Christ than I thought.
All in all I think we can look at the technological advancements and take a similar Charles Spurgeon approach as bible believing and God glorifying Christians and say, sure can some technologies make our lives easier, can they be edifying like a video call to a distant grandparent, or lawn care take a fraction of the time? Yes, they can, however what are you going to do with the time saved? Will you waste it away with movies, endless scrolling, or the newest gadget? Will it get you into God's word more often, prayer more often, leading a Godly household more effortlessly, into a good book? If not then technology is not conducive to the Christian, and it cannot replace the Christ sized hole in our hearts. As Samuel James says, "Everyone is looking for a glimpse of heaven, we are just looking for it in the wrong place, the internet."
I enjoyed the authors other books, and I guess this one just came out of left field especially from a reformed perspective. I know Samuel D. James has his book Digital Liturgies coming out this fall that I will read and see what/if he says from his counter point of view.
August 6, 2023
Not sure if I will write more later. For now, Reinke is brilliant, well read, and at least can help minister to your heart to not be anxious about life as tech careens forward ever faster around us. Reinke is one of the best tech optimists you can read on the subject. I think Reinke puts enough force succesfully behind his argument that it will at least slow you down from falling in line behind Wendell Berry and other agrarian ethicists. And I appreciate how well in dialogue Reinke is with Ellul here. The Meaning of the City is now on my must read list after this book.
That said, if this is the best a tech optimist has, then it is not compelling overall. The chapter on ethics is spotty at best. The extension of tech adoption stemming from God's providential oversight and permissive will leaves a lot of questions. Some of his comments at the end on AI working the ground for us so we can have more time to figure out what it means to be man made me think that engagement with LM Sacasas and the line of thought he takes with Ivan Illich would be very important. I even thought about Dante's circle of hell where people refuse God his grandchildren because they beget money with money and so separate themselves from work and wish Reinke asked how much of being human is even bound up in some acts. Reinke even a few times brings up our "playfulness,' which is great. But then fails to even acknowledge how tech like AI may undermine real capacity to express love and playfulness to God THROUGH our work.
Personally, he cites O'Donovan a few times, but never takes up the conversation of contraceptives, which would be an extremely easy place to put many of his principles to the test (hint: I think they will fail, but would love to see the dialogue nonetheless). Failure to engage with that topic seemed like a huge, huge miss.
I hopefully will find more help from someone like Samuel James when his book on Digital Liturgies comes out. I also want to read a lot more Ellul now.
That said, if this is the best a tech optimist has, then it is not compelling overall. The chapter on ethics is spotty at best. The extension of tech adoption stemming from God's providential oversight and permissive will leaves a lot of questions. Some of his comments at the end on AI working the ground for us so we can have more time to figure out what it means to be man made me think that engagement with LM Sacasas and the line of thought he takes with Ivan Illich would be very important. I even thought about Dante's circle of hell where people refuse God his grandchildren because they beget money with money and so separate themselves from work and wish Reinke asked how much of being human is even bound up in some acts. Reinke even a few times brings up our "playfulness,' which is great. But then fails to even acknowledge how tech like AI may undermine real capacity to express love and playfulness to God THROUGH our work.
Personally, he cites O'Donovan a few times, but never takes up the conversation of contraceptives, which would be an extremely easy place to put many of his principles to the test (hint: I think they will fail, but would love to see the dialogue nonetheless). Failure to engage with that topic seemed like a huge, huge miss.
I hopefully will find more help from someone like Samuel James when his book on Digital Liturgies comes out. I also want to read a lot more Ellul now.
January 6, 2025
Disclaimer: I only listened to this one on Hoopla.
When I began this book, I didn’t expect much. In reality, I didn’t think there was too much to say on the subject. Tony Reinke proved me wrong. What is technology, how does God view it, and for what purpose has He ordained its use? These are but a few of the questions that Tony Reinke takes on. In the work, the author not only developed a biblical theology of technology, he does so while interacting with a spectrum of inventors and theologians ranging from Augustine to Elon Musk. The result is a book that challenges, engages, and teaches its readers.
When I began this book, I didn’t expect much. In reality, I didn’t think there was too much to say on the subject. Tony Reinke proved me wrong. What is technology, how does God view it, and for what purpose has He ordained its use? These are but a few of the questions that Tony Reinke takes on. In the work, the author not only developed a biblical theology of technology, he does so while interacting with a spectrum of inventors and theologians ranging from Augustine to Elon Musk. The result is a book that challenges, engages, and teaches its readers.
February 10, 2025
Not at all what I expected this book to be, but it had some great moments! It definitely landed more on the theoretical side of where technology came from, where Reinke thinks it might be going and how we should view it as Christians. But there was hardly any application which is what I was waiting for the whole book so I felt “gyped” in the end 😂
Overall though, I gleaned from this book that God has always been and will always be sovereign over our technological advancements. Technology cannot save our souls- even though it might prevent death one day?- but we must look to God for that and as Christians, continue to be the ethical voice of reason and morality as technology advances.
Overall though, I gleaned from this book that God has always been and will always be sovereign over our technological advancements. Technology cannot save our souls- even though it might prevent death one day?- but we must look to God for that and as Christians, continue to be the ethical voice of reason and morality as technology advances.
January 2, 2023
i will say that this was not my favorite tony reinke book - at times quite academic and somewhat repetitive.
nonetheless (!) many interesting topics and things to mull over/discuss with others (i.e. God's providence through technology, technology "ushering us deeper into the creative genius of God," human innovation as a false and disappointing god)
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8
nonetheless (!) many interesting topics and things to mull over/discuss with others (i.e. God's providence through technology, technology "ushering us deeper into the creative genius of God," human innovation as a false and disappointing god)
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8
June 1, 2025
This excellent book had a great outline of history, technology & God’s hand in it.
There were some minor things that I’d have to think more deeply on if I agree with them, but overall, I greatly enjoyed it. In fact, I’d love to read it again with someone or a group to discuss some of these themes. This book is so applicable to daily life since technology is everywhere, that I brought it up with just about every I talked to in the last month!
There were some minor things that I’d have to think more deeply on if I agree with them, but overall, I greatly enjoyed it. In fact, I’d love to read it again with someone or a group to discuss some of these themes. This book is so applicable to daily life since technology is everywhere, that I brought it up with just about every I talked to in the last month!
July 13, 2022
This book was far more than I was expecting. Reinke beautifully walked through the theology of technology, going way back to the Tower of Babel through today. He explains that all innovation comes from God and the innovators are his instruments to help us learn and discover what is in His creation. Really enjoyed his explanation of the gospel of technology vs the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Overall, definitely a book I will recommend!
Overall, definitely a book I will recommend!
November 13, 2022
The author is very well read and brings several unique points into perspective.
I would definitely reread this next year.
I would definitely reread this next year.
January 15, 2023
A unique and fascinating look at technology, its purposes, and its development in the Bible. Reinke faithfully considers many perspectives and facets of technology from a thoroughly biblical worldview.
Want to read
January 27, 2023Got a chance to read the first chapter of this book aloud to our middle-schoolers. We all enjoyed it; made for nice discussion!
Adding the full book to my to-read list.
Adding the full book to my to-read list.
July 9, 2022
So I feel torn writing this review - I generally really enjoy Tony’s work; I have read countless DG articles, read a few of his previous books, and listened to alot of podcasts interviewing him. His work is generally very good.
However I knew after listening to some interviews talking about this book, it would be quite different compared to the other books on Technology he has written. One obvious reason is because there is generally no/little direct, explicit mention of a doctrine of technology throughout the scriptures and so would require some teasing out.
I think my biggest issue with the book is that it felt like a lot of the time, some of the scripture passages he was using to make his book were being very stretched - I don’t want to say he was taking them out of context, but he was definitely using texts to make a point that you can clearly see was not the point of the scripture in its larger context. He discussion around cement for example just left me thinking okay….?
Now I must confess, I didn’t finish the book. I decided to listen to the audio book - the book is almost 7.5 hours long (which in and of itself felt like it was toooo long!) and I listened to 2.5 hours, so 1/3. And so I feel I got a good sense of the book. But felt like up to that point, there was too much conjecture for it to be an enjoyable listen for me anymore.
Now I was excited when I heard he was using historical and present important figures from different worldviews to frame the conversation around technology, but didn’t feel it was executed that well - I’d be excited by someone else taking the mantle with that intention.
Sorry Tony!
However I knew after listening to some interviews talking about this book, it would be quite different compared to the other books on Technology he has written. One obvious reason is because there is generally no/little direct, explicit mention of a doctrine of technology throughout the scriptures and so would require some teasing out.
I think my biggest issue with the book is that it felt like a lot of the time, some of the scripture passages he was using to make his book were being very stretched - I don’t want to say he was taking them out of context, but he was definitely using texts to make a point that you can clearly see was not the point of the scripture in its larger context. He discussion around cement for example just left me thinking okay….?
Now I must confess, I didn’t finish the book. I decided to listen to the audio book - the book is almost 7.5 hours long (which in and of itself felt like it was toooo long!) and I listened to 2.5 hours, so 1/3. And so I feel I got a good sense of the book. But felt like up to that point, there was too much conjecture for it to be an enjoyable listen for me anymore.
Now I was excited when I heard he was using historical and present important figures from different worldviews to frame the conversation around technology, but didn’t feel it was executed that well - I’d be excited by someone else taking the mantle with that intention.
Sorry Tony!
April 20, 2022
3.9 Stars
Tony Reinke's book "God, Technology, and the Christian Life" is a Biblical theology of technology. In this book, Reinke attempts to approach technology from a Biblical standpoint to help Christians better engage with technology. Reinke's main argument is that technology is a gift from God meant to reflect His creative design. Thus, we do not need to be afraid of technology, but the Creator who designed technology is also sovereign over it. Technology can be used to glorify God with the understanding that only Christ, and not technology, can redeem us.
Reinke's book is thoroughly Biblical, gospel-centered, and Christ-exalting. It is an encouraging analysis of technology and the God who invented technology and rules over it. Yet, I struggled with this book because I had trouble drawing out the main points and train of logic. The book was simply structured poorly. Rather than being an organized presentation of a Biblical theology of technology, it was more of extended prose that weaved through multiple different technology-related topics. Reinke is a great writer but some of the cohesion and structure that is necessary for a book that attempts to be a "Biblical theology" of technology was a bit lacking.
I think Reinke is a good writer, and I thoroughly enjoyed his shorter "12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You," but I had a much harder time tracking with this book. But Reinke has a lot of good things to say about technology, so this book is worth the read.
Tony Reinke's book "God, Technology, and the Christian Life" is a Biblical theology of technology. In this book, Reinke attempts to approach technology from a Biblical standpoint to help Christians better engage with technology. Reinke's main argument is that technology is a gift from God meant to reflect His creative design. Thus, we do not need to be afraid of technology, but the Creator who designed technology is also sovereign over it. Technology can be used to glorify God with the understanding that only Christ, and not technology, can redeem us.
Reinke's book is thoroughly Biblical, gospel-centered, and Christ-exalting. It is an encouraging analysis of technology and the God who invented technology and rules over it. Yet, I struggled with this book because I had trouble drawing out the main points and train of logic. The book was simply structured poorly. Rather than being an organized presentation of a Biblical theology of technology, it was more of extended prose that weaved through multiple different technology-related topics. Reinke is a great writer but some of the cohesion and structure that is necessary for a book that attempts to be a "Biblical theology" of technology was a bit lacking.
I think Reinke is a good writer, and I thoroughly enjoyed his shorter "12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You," but I had a much harder time tracking with this book. But Reinke has a lot of good things to say about technology, so this book is worth the read.
March 16, 2022
This book felt very, very padded--almost as though it could be 2/3 its current length and still say what Reinke wants to say: that it's possible, in his view, for a Christian to be a "tech optimist" as long as one regularly and rigorously interrogates one's reliance upon and use of technology. Nothing in this book is at all bad--indeed I found much of Reinke's advice wise (if somewhat obvious). But some of his biblical appeals felt forced and tendentious, and his treatment of those more suspicious of new technologies felt a bit dismissive at times for me to feel too confident in his conclusions.
September 24, 2023
Reinke does a deep dive into how Christians should view technology and it's impact on their lives. He begins with discussing the Tower of Babel as the first instance man tried to use technology to be apart from God. Then he shifts to discussing Cain and how technology stems from Cain's line (Jabal, Jubal, Tubal-Cain) and leads to the technology of today.
Throughout, Reinke emphasizes that God has given man a sandbox to work within - God is fully aware of the limits of that sandbox. Thus, Christians don't need to fear what is occurring with technology because God is still in control. "God is at work instructing us inside laboratories, through experiments, and within clinical trials."
Christians should still be aware of what technology is pushing and champion ethics, but can rest knowing that nothing is outside of God's knowledge. "If we can honestly thank God for it, we can adopt it. God-centered gratitude gives us faith to see that only Christ can fill the holes in our souls.
As someone who has been in a very technical field for the last 10 years I found this book to be SO refreshing. There was no subtle judgment, or suggestion for Christians to leave technically fields, but rather encouragement to do the job the Lord has placed before you and be faithful in what He's called you to do.
Throughout, Reinke emphasizes that God has given man a sandbox to work within - God is fully aware of the limits of that sandbox. Thus, Christians don't need to fear what is occurring with technology because God is still in control. "God is at work instructing us inside laboratories, through experiments, and within clinical trials."
Christians should still be aware of what technology is pushing and champion ethics, but can rest knowing that nothing is outside of God's knowledge. "If we can honestly thank God for it, we can adopt it. God-centered gratitude gives us faith to see that only Christ can fill the holes in our souls.
As someone who has been in a very technical field for the last 10 years I found this book to be SO refreshing. There was no subtle judgment, or suggestion for Christians to leave technically fields, but rather encouragement to do the job the Lord has placed before you and be faithful in what He's called you to do.
May 25, 2022
An excellent treatise!
I opened this expecting to find a list of ways to combat the influence of technology on the life of the believer. But I got something so much better than that! I frequently stopped to ponder the God-centered, Christ-Centered conclusions in this book! Tony’s explanation of technology from the beginning of God’s creation of man was such a paradigm shifting moment not only in my understanding of scripture but also of technology in general. Thank you for writing this, Tony. Thank you for reminding me of the God who sovereignly rules over every innovation in tech!
I opened this expecting to find a list of ways to combat the influence of technology on the life of the believer. But I got something so much better than that! I frequently stopped to ponder the God-centered, Christ-Centered conclusions in this book! Tony’s explanation of technology from the beginning of God’s creation of man was such a paradigm shifting moment not only in my understanding of scripture but also of technology in general. Thank you for writing this, Tony. Thank you for reminding me of the God who sovereignly rules over every innovation in tech!
August 18, 2022
This is the best book I've read this year. I loved Reinke's book "12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You." That book was a balanced, honest, realistic, optimistic take on one specific technology - the smartphone. In this book, "God, Technology, and the Christian Life," Reinke offers a similar treatment for technology as a broad category. The book helped me think biblically, critically, and optimistically about the way God's people ought to relate to our tech. A wonderful read.
January 16, 2025
3.7
I really enjoyed this book. Through stories like David and Goliath, Babel, and Babylon, the book develops a comprehensive theology of technology. It praises the innovation that builds, mines, and unearths the depths of creation for the glory of God. At the same time, it warns against the broader trajectory of the technium, the 'gospel' of technology, and the inability of technology to satisfy our souls
I really enjoyed this book. Through stories like David and Goliath, Babel, and Babylon, the book develops a comprehensive theology of technology. It praises the innovation that builds, mines, and unearths the depths of creation for the glory of God. At the same time, it warns against the broader trajectory of the technium, the 'gospel' of technology, and the inability of technology to satisfy our souls
March 21, 2025
I definitely had to persevere through parts of this book but the message was clear and encouraging.
“The ultimate point of technology (in any age) is to point us back to the glory and the generosity and the majesty and self-sufficiency of the Creator himself. And the ultimate goal of technology is to usher us deeper into the creative genius of God, to direct our hearts to God, to adore and to thank him for our daily bread. God’s glory is the end of creation and the aim of all our innovations. He is worthy of our lives, worthy of our best inventions, worthy of all praise.” pg. 119
“The ultimate point of technology (in any age) is to point us back to the glory and the generosity and the majesty and self-sufficiency of the Creator himself. And the ultimate goal of technology is to usher us deeper into the creative genius of God, to direct our hearts to God, to adore and to thank him for our daily bread. God’s glory is the end of creation and the aim of all our innovations. He is worthy of our lives, worthy of our best inventions, worthy of all praise.” pg. 119
February 2, 2025
The last half of this book really turned it around for me. The first half was just too heady for me to want to pick this up but the gospel of technology thoughts and really reconciling our human finiteness with eternity was what I was hoping Tony would get into.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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