Technology generally is morally neutral. It is difficult for many believers to understand that there is a vast difference between technology and how it is used by man. For example, most of us make daily use of electricity to light our homes, wash our clothes, preserve our food and a host of other things. At the same time, electricity provides the energy used to provide all manner of corrupt and violent entertainment. The internal combustion engine is used to plow our fields, drive us to Bible conferences, pump water to places of need while at the same time powering destructive military vehicles. Airplanes carry missionaries across the seas to bring the gospel, but they also are used to wreak havoc in war. Television, used widely as a medical teaching medium and for many other beneficial purposes, also provides a window by which unspeakable depravity and corruption are brought into homes.
It is so with the computer. Most every area of our lives is affected by the computer. In many areas this technology is a great blessing. Yet, fallen and depraved man uses the very same computer technology to push violence and corruption into homes.
I know of no scripture which forbids the believer to have or use a computer, as some sects teach. It seems to me that believers should be alert to using technological advances for the furtherance of the Lord’s work, while also being alert to the dangers in the uses fallen man makes of such technologies.
Beneficial Uses of Computer Technology
The word processing features of computers have dramatically raised the efficiency of translators, writers and publishers. File storage has been made incredibly more efficient. Whole libraries of ministry of the Word are now available on CDROM (compact disks). Brethren in all parts of the earth, from Romania to Peru and Argentina, including missionaries in remote countries, can now be in almost instant touch with brethren in their home regions by means of email (electronic mail). Many brethren have created Internet web sites which are used to spread the gospel. Clearly, the computer age is marvelous!
Computers and the Christian Home
One of the chief dangers (and I speak from experience) of a home computer is its potential addictive use. Many find themselves immersed in wasting precious hours in recreational or non-recreational computer use. Of course, that is a danger in many of our normal occupations as well. Even cleaning the house and preparing meals can encumber one. The answer is to get before the Lord about it, and, if necessary, take a deliberate time off from using the computer—especially if it is taking control of free time.
Much has been made of the availability of moral filth on the Internet. Sadly, this is true. But is it not equally shocking the kind of magazines that are sold in our nearby convenience stores? Such corruption pervades the world in which we live. How we need to teach our children what God says about such things, making sure the very specific warnings of Proverbs are impressed on their souls.
In the case of computers, software programs are available to control access to unwanted Internet content. How well they work I cannot say, but parents should look into them if they decide to obtain Internet access on a home computer. The wealth of useful and profitable information available on the World Wide Web would not be worth the harm done to our children by lack of watchfulness and control on the part of parents.
Rapid and inexpensive communication technology among saints can be a great blessing. One thinks of Nehemiah’s day when it was said, “The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another” (ch. 4:19). But, at times, difficulties among believers have been exacerbated by ill-advised faxes and phone calls. Email makes such kinds of rapid communication even easier.
As in all things, whether to have a computer in the home or not must be a matter of personal exercise and communion with our Lord Jesus.
In closing, let me call attention to two passages of Scripture: “If thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell” (Matt. 5:3030And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. (Matthew 5:30)).
R. K. Gorgas