The Gospel and Technology

Marshall Ballantine-Jones: Technology, Addictions and Affections

How does Christ love us to use our time? And how do we recognise when our technology habits are diminishing our discipleship? Marshall Ballantine-Jones discusses the nature of compulsion and how Christ nurtures us in love and self-control. 

Marshall has worked as a publisher, Anglican pastor, youth worker, financial analyst, and programmer. He has completed a PhD on reducing the negative effects of pornography and sexualised social media behaviours on adolescents. He is currently the CEO of DigiHelp Publishing who develop school-based solutions for online behaviour challenges. He is also founder of Resist Ministries, an initiative that assists churches to address online sexualised behaviours.

Podcast Discussion Questions

• Read Titus 3:1-14. What are the best ways to use our time under the Lordship of Christ? How do we recognise when our time, relationships and desires are ruled instead by compulsive technology use and the pursuit of pleasure?
• What do we need most in order to change our compulsive behaviours and grow in self-control (Galatians 5:16-26; Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7)?
• What are some ways you need to grow in righteousness and self-control in relation to technology? How will you go about confessing and putting your sin to death?
• How can you grow in your affection for Christ and all he has done for us through his Word? What plans can you put in place to grow in love for Christ and glorify him (John 15; Ephesians 4:15-17)? And what conversations can you have with Christian brothers and sisters to encourage godly use of technology?

The Gospel and Technology

Christopher Watkin: Technology, Identity and Grace 

 Our technology-driven culture is focussed on making something of ourselves and maximising efficiency. But as those who have received God’s bounteous grace, should we interact with technology and each other differently?  Christopher Watkin delves deeply into the mindset driving our technology use. 

Chris is a senior lecturer in French Studies at Monash University. He has a special interest in ways in which philosophy and contemporary culture can be brought into conversation with Christian theology.

Podcast Discussion Questions

• What does Genesis 1:27 mean by humanity being made in God’s image? In what ways in this helpful for us as we think about being users of technology? How does our rebellion against God in the Fall provide further challenges to us as we try and use technology wisely?
• Read 1 John 3:1-3 and Mark 8:31-38. How might these passages help us to reflect well about where our hope and our identity lies? How are you tempted to find hope in technology? How are you trying to use technology to construct an identity outside of Christ?
• Are there ways that your identity is being formed through social media or other uses of technology? What difference does God’s grace towards us in Jesus make as we reflect on our true identities?  (Eph 2:1-10)
• Read John 12:1-8– Compare Jesus’ and Judas’ attitudes to what Mary chose to do with very expensive perfume. How have you seen Judas’ attitude at work in communities you are part of? How does knowing Jesus help us to be more than pragmatists in our use of resources? 
• What is meant by the distinction of using technology as an artist or engineer? How do you use technology: as an artist or as an engineer?
• Think of one area where you would like to grow in this area. Share with your group or someone close to how you would like them to pray for/with you about that

The Gospel and Technology

Stephen Driscoll: Artificial Intelligence and Human Reality 

What is AI exactly? And how can it shape our what we hear, think and want — and our very humanity? Stephen Driscoll provides clarity and wisdom for Christians living in an increasingly AI-shaped world.  

Stephen works for the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students (AFES) at the Australian National University. He loves training and growing Christian university students and sharing the gospel with non-believers on campus.

Podcast Discussion Questions

• Stephen spoke about “polarisation” and “reverse polarisation”, driven by AI powered social media. What do you understand by these terms? What examples of this have you seen in your church, family, school, or other community group?
• Read Matthew 4:17 and Mark 1:14-15. What part of Jesus’ message was most uncomfortable for people to hear? In what way does AI tend to filter or shape the information we receive? How is this different from the information God chooses to give us in his word the Bible?
• What is it about the way AI is trained that means it tends to reflect humanity? How should this affect the way we treat the information we get from it, both positively and negatively?
• Should Christians be fearful of AI? Why / why not?

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?

The Gospel and Technology

Steve McAlpine: Technology and Digital Discipleship 

Is technology good, bad or neutral? How can technology both help and hinder our growth as disciples of Christ? Steve McAlpine provides practical wisdom on discipleship in a digital world. 

Steve has a background in journalism and three decades experience pastoring and planting churches. His current writing and speaking ministries equip Christians to confidently share the gospel in a hostile culture.

Podcast Discussion Questions

• Do you think technology is good, evil, or neutral? How does Genesis 1:26-27 (the ‘cultural mandate’) inform your answer? What about Deuteronomy 20:1 and Isaiah 31:1?

• Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Steve calls this God’s “digital discipleship program”. What does he mean by that?

• Read Titus 2:1-10. What is your church doing to encourage the kind of embodied discipleship that Paul describes here? What can you do personally in this area?