About the Book:
Believers and unbelievers alike are saturated with technology, yet most give it little if any thought. Consumers buy and upgrade as fast as they can, largely unaware of technology’s subtle yet powerful influence. In a world where technology changes almost daily, many are left to wonder:
- Should Christians embrace all that is happening?
- Are there some technologies that we need to avoid? Does the Bible give us any guidance on how to use digital tools and social media?
An experienced Web developer and writer on technology and culture, John Dyer answers these questions and more by walking through the story of the Bible and introducing key ideas about how technology and culture interact. Dyer first analyzes the biblical, theological, and philosophical foundations of technology and then studies several examples that show how technology can influence the spiritual life. For youth pastors, college-aged readers, and anyone interested in understanding how technology fits with faith, From the Garden to the City fills a gap for biblically-informed literature in a technological world.
About the Author:
John Dyer (BS, Texas A&M; ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary) is director of Web development at Dallas Theological Seminary. He has published articles in Collide Magazine and Christianity Today and authors the blog donteatthefruit.com. From the Garden to the City is his first book.
This Mom’s Review:
Awaiting the arrival of this book, I wondered just how much the author would bash cell phones and the internet. I use both excessively and I honestly didn’t want to hear it. Yes, my curiosity got the best of me, so I decided I’d read the book.
I liked this book!
I thought technology began somewhere in the last hundred years, but the author took me on a road trip back to the beginning of time to prove otherwise. Who knew that technology is nothing new! The connection made between technology and God were quite interesting. The shovel, who made many ‘appearances’ in the book, provided me with a visual understanding of the information presented in this book. You have to read the book to know what I’m talking about!
There is no black or white answer. Included in the book is a list of questions based on the four parts of this book – Reflection, Rebellion, Redemption & Restoration – that can help the reader make smart decisions regarding the usage of the technology present in his or her own life.
Disclosure: I received this book in exchange for my honest review. As one of my readers, you can sneak a peek of the book.
This is too funny because I had a weird thought pop into my head yesterday as I was paniced about my cell phone going dead and my children not being able to reach me, etc. This was a real panic…like somehow if they couldn’t reach me the would have to dress in gunny sacks, be doused in dirt and dust, be stranded on our farm that has somwhow now been transported back to the 30’s & 40’s without food and the love of a mother panic!!! Then it kind of struck me that probably was not a “real” fear I needed to carry in my heart and it made me think about where fear comes from…etc. etc…and then the weird thought maybe cell phones are of Satan just to strike the forbiden fear and lack of trust in the Lord into the hearts of young mothers (and yes I said young..compared to 100 years of life I am just a pup!!)
Anyhow…my random thoughts and mind sometimes go far left and far right and all around anything but reality and reason..only for me to shrug my shoulders and laugh about it at the conclussion. If I couldn’t laugh I might end up living off the grid in the mountains afraid of all contact with the world…and that wouldn’t be good for the kids either!!
In many ways technology is a great thing!! Now that my Mom has texting I am a much better daughter!! I can text a quick I love you every day much easier than calling. Conversations with friends may last all day…instead of the hour long telephone conversation but I am way more productive than I was in the stone ages when I was tied to the wall by a telephone cord!! And what about the internet….full of all kinds of evil..viruses, pron sites…but in the hands of a good Christian woman she can share the word of God with a group of people each day, search for the recipe she will wow her family with tonight, look for ways to remove grass stains…and research what that weird bug is that is sitting on her office window watching her every move!!
I do think though that it is just like everything in life that the Bible has counseled us over and over and over again (you would think our Bible would get exhausted at telling us…and why does this sound so much like parenting??) But back on track..the Bible says repeatedly that things should me in moderation. Anything that is done habitually or overly…or what is the word..excessively..could very well be a sin in your life. This is exactly why I am very cautious not to wash dishes too often..I am guarding against sin!!
Sadly and honestly I do think that technology has become a sin in their life. I have seen it very real in the lives of my step children. As an example..who nobody knows..this mother can not pay her bills or provide adequately for her children because of her need for the latest I phone and I pad.. Her children fend for themselves making Ramen noodles in the microwave and wear dirty clothes off of the floor. Her dishes are dirty and buried in the mounds of trash, dirty clothes and clutter of her home. She is just too busy…with her internet accounts and her games. Even in the car driving she is playing Angry Birds…I often wonder if her children ever recieved her undivided attention.
This behavior is shocking to me…but I see it all around. Even more shocking is the number of children tuned out to the world around them solely focused on their I phones.
I think every parent should unplug their children…and themselves one night a week. Better yet take a vacation from technology…for a week!! If this strikes fear and panic into the heart…then there may be a problem. I once was in fear of being disconnected too…until it happened to me one day. Up in the beautiful mountains of Montanna. We had no cell service, no FM stations and not even Sirius could entertain us. In the quietness we resorted back to prehistoric days and did something I think few people remember to do…we looked out our windows at the gorgeous scenery and we began to ohh and ahh..and then we talked. It was great and I wanted to stop the car right then and never leave that exact spot!!
Fear became a reality when we were back in the land of cell reception and calls flew in. My mother had been taken to the emergency room…our insurance company needed to ask some questions about one of our policies..etc. and then I had an epiphany…I couldn’t do anything about these situations anyhow. I might as well have been a million miles away because I couldn’t solve anything where I was…and that is when it hit me…I had to do what so many people have done before the time of 3 day mail, telegraphs..not to mention cell phones and internet. I had to trust that my loved ones, my business, my life was in the hands of the always faithful and loving Lord…I had to do the one thing that did more than anything would in those situations…I had to pray and I had to trust.
I have shared more about my opinion of technology than I planned…but I will have to look at the book and see what that author has to say…what his view point is on technology.
Today I can say I wouldn’t want to be without it but I wouldn’t want to be dependent on it either.
@Richelle, Sadly, it’s the modern way of life that everyone has became accustom to, my family included.
Well, I’m glad that the book was as bad as you had expected! I hope it’s helpful to you and your readers. Thanks so much for taking time to review it.
@John Dyer, Thank you for the opportunity to read the book. I really enjoyed it! I will think of you every time I see a shovel now!