By Kevin A. Hall, Ed.D.

The Question of Our Time

“How is theology and technology shaping us?”

That single question sits at the heart of today’s spiritual landscape. Every click, scroll, post, or livestream becomes a window into who we are becoming. The digital world has not only changed how we live — it is shaping what we believe, how we relate, and how we grow in faith.

Technology, at its best, is not an enemy of formation but an environment of possibility. As one writer notes, it is a “sociotechnical system” that augments human capabilities — a tool woven into our culture, values, and daily habits. Like language or art, technology is part of what it means to be human: to take what God provides and shape it creatively for the good of others and the glory of His kingdom.

The Digital Garden: A New Kind of Space

From the invention of the printing press to the rise of social media, technology has always been a stage upon which the gospel finds new expression. The monasteries of the Middle Ages used manuscripts to preserve orthodoxy and transmit learning. Today’s believers use podcasts, blogs, and online classrooms to share truth, encourage fellowship, and disciple others around the world.

Print elevated the written word — and the Word of God itself became the most powerful artifact of human communication. Now the digital environment invites us to rediscover that same Word in pixels and podcasts, in livestreams and digital devotions. The gospel, after all, was never confined to geography.

As Stephen and Mary Lowe remind us, “Distance is no barrier to the work of the Holy Spirit among the community of saints.” God’s presence fills both sanctuaries and screens. Wherever believers gather — online or face-to-face — He is there forming us into His likeness.