Whenever I hear the word ‘technology’ I cannot help
but think of the introductory words to the 70s show, The Six Million Dollar Man:
‘Steve Austin, astronaut. A man barely alive. Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We
have the technology.’ Isn’t it amazing what medical science can do nowadays? We’re
not quite up to the Six Million Dollar Man stage, but the reality is that we can
make remarkable and astounding repairs to damaged human bodies. I was blind in
my left eye for a couple of years from a cataract. Then they gave me a new lens!
It’s now routine procedure. Some people with missing limbs are given bionic
replacements. Cochlear ear implants enable the deaf to hear. It’s Biblical!
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| Wee Bella using technology to write her dog-toral thesis |
When Jesus walked on this earth He said, ‘The blind
see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are
raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who
is not offended because of Me.’ Matthew 11:5-6. The technological advances of
Western civilisation are on account of the same Gospel that Jesus proclaimed,
i.e., the good news of Jesus. And though some may be offended by Jesus, the
West is still living off His Gospel capital.
The Gospel is about healing broken human beings,
broken in body and soul and spirit. Technological advances in medical science
are simply an extension of this. Or, to use more Biblical language, technology is
the fruit of the Gospel on a national and global scale. The Great Commission God
gave to mankind is, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it;
have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over
every living thing that moves on earth’ Genesis 1:28b. Technology helps us to
subdue the earth and have dominion. Of course, technology is also misused.
Notice the polar opposites in the following words of Jesus, ‘The thief does not
come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that may have
life, and that they may have it more abundantly.’ John 10:10. Satan is chief thief,
and Adam, as representing all mankind, sided with Satan. Therefore, likewise we
are on the side of Satan, and, like those of old, we have a ‘covenant with
death’ (Isaiah 28:18) – unless Jesus grants you life in abundance. Clearly
those who steal, kill, and destroy are not Christians, or at least have not
been influenced by Christianity. Yet they remain among us. Too frequently we
hear reports of mass shootings and jihadist bombings etc., with people being
rushed to hospital. Clearly one side seeks to use technology to steal, kill,
and destroy, while the other seeks to restore, revive, and rebuild. The former
is about death in abundance and the latter life in abundance. Sure, not all
doctors, surgeons, nurses, medical technicians etc. are Christian, but they certainly
are part of Christ’s Gospel blessings to all nations.
Jesus, speaking of His own body, said, ‘Destroy
this temple, and in three days I will raise it up’ John 2:19. Beaten to pulp
beforehand, He died after being nailed to a cross. But His temple was rebuilt in
three days. Therefore, because of the resurrection of Jesus, all the evil work
of those who steal, kill, and destroy ultimately is in vain for those who, as
the Apostles’ Creed puts it, ‘believe in the resurrection of the body.’ God
raised Jesus. And He will raise you from the dead too!
The Bible speaks
of ‘the times of the restoration of all things’ Acts 3:21. Therefore, do not be
discouraged dear Christian. Gentlemen (and ladies!), God can rebuild you. He
has the technology.
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