In his book Between Two Worlds, author John Stott wrote in 1982 about the future of the computer chip and the impact it would have on human relationships and the Word of God. He wrote the following:
“It is difficult to image the world in the year A. D. 2000, by which time versatile micro-processors are likely to be as common as simple calculators are today. We should certainly welcome the fact that the silicon chip will transcend human brain-power, as the machine has transcended human muscle-power.“
Little did he know how true those words would be. The positive impact of technology in our lives cannot be overstated. But it has come at a cost to our human relations in ways that we are still discovering and learning how to cope with. Stott went on to write this corollary statement…
“Much less welcome will be the probable reduction of human contact as the new electronic network renders personal relationships ever less necessary.“
This statement has a lot of truth to it and you must admit that today, more than 30 years after Stott wrote that statement, we see the impact of our “smart” phones and “i”-everythings invade our lives at every turn, often hindering us from speaking with each other face-to-face or at least person-to-person. We hardly ever use our voices, hands, and expressions to convey the depth of our feelings, ideas, thoughts, and dreams. Instead we use emoticons, acronyms, and abbreviations to convey the depth of our love, our frustration, and our laughter.
What is perhaps the most significant remark that Stott makes is that he relates the impact of technology on the church, specifically on preaching and teaching the Word of God. He writes:
“In such a dehumanized society the fellowship of the local church will become increasingly important, whose members meet one another, and talk and listen to one another in person rather than on screen. In this human context of mutual love the speaking and hearing of the Word of God is also likely to become more necessary for the preservation of our humanness, not less.“
God is not silent…in fact He spoke all of creation into existence! “And God said…” is what Genesis 1 says…not “And God text…” God is a god that speaks to us. He wants to communicate to us through his Word.
How wonderful a privilege to gather together with others to hear the Word of God proclaimed. If you are not regularly attending a church where the Word of God is being shared, I would encourage you to get out there and find one. Find a church family where the Word of God, the Bible, is taught verse by verse, and people long to dig into the truth of what God has said.
Get out there so that we all can preserve that Godly character trait of real, true, loving personal communication with God and with each other.