I have been teaching at SAGU for 17 years. Several years back now, our Vice President of Academics, Dr. Paul Brooks, spoke at a Spring in-service where we were trained on the latest technology for use in our University. He said this: "I would like to thank all of you for the effort you have made to "learn" all the new technology over the past decade, just to keep up." Initially I thought, "It's not that much", but as I continued, I discovered how right he was. I started at SAGU on December 7, 1992. It just so happens that I didn't know in 1992 how to use a computer. I had to be shown how to save a file. To this day I am convinced that one of the greatest technological achievements is "Save As". Within months I was saving everything to either a 5 and ¼" or a 3.5" disk. "Look how much you can save on a 3.5!" Then Windows came……. The narrative on the change and implications from that point would threaten the limits of my now ancient 2GB flashdrive. Just 10 years ago, all of western culture was fearful of the unknown…Y2K. If technology has taught us anything it is the power of change and necessity of learning.
In contrast to the accelerated pace of technology, Christianity has not changed. This frustrates some. Methods of course have to, unfortunately in church, like industry and education, the change is about 15 years behind culture. The truth, however, has not changed.
So what's a Christian to do at the close of another decade? Consider these simple facts:
- The world is larger than it has ever been. There are more Christians AND more lost persons.
- The Bible is now more available than ever, in more languages than ever.
- The Power of the Holy Spirit is available to every Believer for the advancement of the Gospel. (Acts 1:8, Acts2:4, Acts 10:44-46)
- Jesus IS coming back. (1 Thessalonians 4:12-18, 1 Corinthians 15:1-58)
We are living in the greatest day yet for God's church! The opportunities are limitless. What a comfort to know this promise of Scripture:
Hebrews 13:8 (NASB95)
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
haha i remember the time the university's network fell apart. you came into class armed with a binder that looked as though it was barely hanging on. As you opened it i saw that the pages were yellowed with age. You boldly proclaimed "The word of God and theology was around before technology and it will be around after technology" you then explained how the binder you brought it was a former course outline and notes from several years back.
ReplyDeleteyou opened it up and began to teach. you then stopped... haha you realized that the chapter we were on was arranged completely differently from what you've been doing and what your book from several years before was. Sadly technology had gotten the best of us that day and you dismissed class.
ah memories.