That’s the average amount of time an American spends with technology. That’s almost 45% of your year spent in front of a screen, whether that’s your phone, TV, or computer. Have you considered how all of that technology time is affecting you?
Examine your technology use through a new the Christian one. Drawing on their experience and expertise, pastor-psychiatrist duo Rev. A Trevor Sutton and Dr. Brian Smith explore how technology use is affecting your physical and spiritual well-being. Then, they guide you to a roadmap on changing your usage to improve your well-being and glorify God.
Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of technology and includes discussion questions for deeper thinking. Additionally, each chapter has a “Do This Not That Advice” section to help you form healthy, faithful technology habits with Jesus at the center. With both theological and psychological wisdom, Redeeming Technology will guide you through rethinking your technology usage from the Christian perspective.
A. Trevor Sutton is associate pastor at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Haslett, Michigan. He is currently a graduate student in Writing and Rhetoric at Michigan State University. Sutton has a BA from Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and an MDiv from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri.
Sutton’s work has appeared in Faith & Leadership (Duke Divinity School), The Cresset (Valparaiso University), and Concordia Journal (Concordia Seminary). He has published multiple sermons, Bible studies, and devotional books with various Christian publishers. He previously served as managing editor of Relief Journal: A Christian Literary Expression. He speaks at academic conferences, retreats, and congregations.
Sutton lives in Lansing, Michigan, with his wife and two daughters. He enjoys cycling, hiking, fly-fishing, and impromptu dance parties with his daughters.
Redeeming Technology is a solid, well-researched book that covers so much about how technology touches every single one of us, and how it intersects with our faith. It’s written by two youthful (to me) highly educated guys, a pastor and a psychiatrist, and their approach is for everyday people.
It’s well-documented (love the footnotes), includes chapter questions, and my favorite part is the end of each chapter. “Do This, Not That” is filled with actionable steps for the reader. The first chapter, for example, invites readers to take a technology audit. To count and evaluate how technology plays a role in our lives. I’m doing this.
The book covers everything from mental health and beauty to digital narcissism and artificial intelligence. It’s filled with references to classic literature, pop culture, scientific journals, and theological giants like Luther and Augustine.
Most importantly, the book leans heavily on God’s Word, grounded in its truth in Christ. The authors define technology as “things that are ancient and mundane, physical and nonphysical . . . language and paper clips, bridges and bombs, stone tablets and digital tablets” (29).
They offer thoughtful and biblical reflections on so many techie topics, and they encourage balance. They encourage honest and real flesh and blood connection with others. Relationships. Love.
Even if you don’t think you need a digital detox, someone in your life probably does. Read this book for yourself, your loved one, or perhaps a grandchild.