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Between Babel and Beast
(America and Empires in Biblical Perspective)
The Glory of Kings: A Festschrift for James B. Jordan
Fyodor Dostoevsky
(Christian Encounters Series)
Athanasius
(Foundations of Theological Exegesis and Christian Spirituality)
The Four: A Survey of the Gospels
Defending Constantine: The Twilight of an Empire and the Dawn of Christendom
From Behind the Veil: The Epistles of John
Deep Exegesis:The Mystery of Reading Scripture
1 & 2 Kings
Brazos Theological Commentary
The Promise Of His Appearing: An Exposition Of Second Peter
A Great Mystery: Fourteen Wedding Sermons
Deep Comedy: Trinity, Tragedy, And Hope In Western Literature
Miniatures & Morals: The Christian Novels of Jane Austen
The Priesthood of the Plebs: A Theology of Baptism
A Son To Me: An Exposition of 1 & 2 Samuel
From Silence to Song: The Davidic Liturgical Revolution
Ascent to Love: A Guide to Dante's Divine Comedy
Blessed Are the Hungry: Meditations on the Lord's Supper
A House For My Name: A Survey of the Old Testament
Heroes of the City of Man: A Christian Guide to Select Ancient Literature
Brightest Heaven of Invention: A Christian Guide To Six Shakespeare Plays
Wise Words: Family Stories That Bring the Proverbs to Life
The Kingdom and the Power: Rediscovering the Centrality of the Church
Isaiah’s attack on idols elaborates on the tools and technologies that the id0l-maker uses. The smith uses an iron tool and hammer (Isaiah 44:12), the carpenter a measuring line, plane, and compass (v. 13). Several of these words are used nowhere else in the Old Testament, and this is one of the longest lists of tools in the Bible.
Having constructed his graven image, the maker bows to it, prostrating himself before the work of his hands (vv. 15). Prostration is an act of homage; it lowers the worshiper beneath the object of worship, signifying his submission. The idolater bows before the product of his tools. He lowers himself before the fruit of his technology.
That image gives us an angle for considering the reality of technological idolatry.
Idolaters of technology don’t literally consider their technologies to be divine. But many do “lower” themselves before their technologies. Instead of wisely using the products of their labor and ingenuity, they “bow” until the latest gimmick is ruling their lives – determining how they use their time, how they spend their money, their interests and values.
If you don’t believe this happens, consider someone (invariably, a young man) who has become addicted to games. Who’s running his life? Him, or the lust to fight the next monster, conquer the next level? Who is bowing before whom?
Or, consider the much more common character type – the iPhone worshiper who cannot get through a meal or a meeting without checking his mail. Who’s lowering to whom? Is he making the iPhone work for him, or is he genuflecting at the grave of Steve Jobs?
posted by Peter J. Leithart on Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 4:36 am
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