From The Garden To The City Blog Tour - #7

 Check out my post on Approach

From The Garden To The City Blog Tour - #6

Oops!  I thought I posted this before I left for the weekend....guess I didn't!  Be on the lookout for my contribution to the blog tour this week!

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Recently, I sent out a mass e-mail for our church via Constant Contact – an e-mail marketing company.  I tell you that to say this.  Technologically, that’s an advanced product – it allows me to communicate with the entire parish in just a few clicks.  Now that being said – it only reaches those with e-mail. 

This chapter is entitled Rebellion.  It discusses the ultimate rebel.  Cain.  He murdered is brother and ran.  However, I learned something new today – Cain’s offspring – they gave us technology.

Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the ancestor of those who live in tents and own livestock. His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the ancestor of those who play stringed and wind instruments. Zillah also gave birth to Tubal-cain, the ancestor of blacksmiths and all artisans of bronze and iron. Tubal- Cain’s sister was Naamah.  – Genesis 4:20-22, Common English Bible (emphasis mine)

Dyer states:

“Cain’s offspring – those born in the anti-garden at the center of human-kind’s rejection of God – developed (1) animal husbandry, (2) art and music, and (3) metal tools.  Incredibly these three areas – agriculture, art, and technology – broadly summarize human culture.  Even today, these three categories apply to how our society operates” (pg 79).

Whoa.  I’ll tell you…I don’t see technology here.  All I’m viewing is the grace of God.  From the advent of animal skin clothing (you can read this chapter here) to the invention of technology – God is providing grace in the midst of punishment. 

While technology is an awesome thing, Dyer points out that technology is the “…means by which humans attempt to create a world without God” (pg 80). 

This chapter gave me a lot to think about – so much I haven’t processed it all yet.  I’m pretty busy this week getting ready for a youth retreat – so I’m going to end it here – but I want to leave you with one last quote:

“Today we, too, can create, helpful, productive, and even redemptive technology, but if we don’t offer and use it in faith, it is worthless” (pg 75).

Be sure to check out the post by Andy Darnell on ChurchMag.