https://podcast.preppedforseminary.com/christians-and-technology-part-2-misunderstanding-progress/
Rethinking Advancement Through the Lens of Imitation, Discernment, and Devotion
We live in a world obsessed with advancement. Newer. Faster. Smarter. But not all progress leads us forward in the ways that matter most. As Christians, we must ask ourselves a different set of questions: Does this draw me closer to God? Does this reflect His purposes?
Drawing from Scripture, theology, and even social theory, true progress looks like when Christ is our model and our loves are rightly ordered.
True Progress Is Alignment, Not Achievement
Spiritual growth—not productivity—is the biblical marker of progress.
As Paul writes in Philippians 3:14, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” That goal isn’t accolades or innovation. It’s Christ Himself.
Jesus didn’t come to help us increase efficiency. He came to reorder our loves, restore our relationship with the Father, and invite us into a life shaped by His Kingdom. If our so-called progress doesn’t align with that goal, we may be gaining the world but losing the soul of our mission.
The Dangers of Disordered Loves
I’ve always appreciated Augustine’s idea of ordo amoris—the proper ordering of loves. One of the ways I think about it today is with a simple pie chart. If God were to draw out how much of my life belongs to Him, there wouldn’t be anything left for anything else. He doesn’t ask for a portion—He asks for everything.
Disordered loves happen when we elevate good things above God. It’s not that we can’t love other things; we’re meant to love them on God’s terms, not our own. When convenience, recognition, or influence crowd out devotion to Christ, we’re no longer progressing. We’re drifting.
From Things to Devices: The Hidden Cost of Convenience
Albert Borgmann’s distinction between “things” and “devices” has helped me think through the spiritual implications of our technological habits.
A wood-burning stove is a thing. It invites effort, community, and attention. You chop the wood, tend the fire, cook a meal—often with others around. There’s a connection there.
A smart thermostat, by contrast, is a device. You tap your phone, and the job is done. It’s efficient but isolated. It strips away engagement and reduces interaction.
That’s not to say that devices are evil. But if we call something “progress,” we must ask what we’re giving up in exchange. Does the gain in convenience come at the loss of something sacred—like presence, connection, or worship?
The Power of Imitation: Who Are We Becoming?
We don’t invent ourselves. We imitate.
When Paul writes, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1), he’s not elevating himself. He’s modeling a chain of imitation rooted in Jesus.
René Girard’s concept of mimetic desire helped me see just how much our desires are shaped by whom we’re watching. We want what others want—not just things but identities. We pursue virtues, positions, and reputations because we see someone else who has them.
That’s why the model matters. Imitating Christ reorients us. It doesn’t lead us into rivalry or insecurity because Christ isn’t competing with us. He invites us to reflect Him—His love, humility, and obedience. That’s a very different kind of formation than what we’re offered in the world.
Discernment in a Tech-Saturated World
Technology isn’t evil. But it isn’t neutral, either.
We must practice discernment to follow Christ faithfully in this digital age. Over the years, I’ve found it helpful to reflect on a few questions that keep my heart aligned with God’s purposes:
- What’s motivating this pursuit? Is it love for God or fear, pride, or insecurity?
- How is this shaping my relationships? Does it draw me toward others—or create distance?
- Is this serving the Kingdom? Or just advancing my platform?
- Who am I inviting into this decision? Am I seeking wise, godly counsel?
- Am I content? Or just craving the next “new” thing?
- Am I stewarding well? Does this reflect care for God’s creation and His people?
Asking these questions won’t always give me clear answers, but they keep me grounded in the right story.
Progress That Imitates Christ
Imitating Christ transforms everything. It reframes how I view success. It reorders what I pursue. It reminds me that progress isn’t about climbing higher but growing deeper.
Christ’s self-giving love is the model. His sacrifice, humility, and devotion to the Father—that’s the pattern. And when I immerse my daily life in His Kingdom, everything else begins to take its rightful place.
I want my life to reflect Him, not just in big decisions but in the everyday, quiet, almost invisible choices that tell the true story of what I love most.
Reflection Questions
- Where in your life are you mistaking achievement for spiritual growth?
- How might technology be disorienting your affections or fragmenting your attention?
- Who are you imitating right now—intentionally or unintentionally?
- What would allowing God to re-order your loves this week look like?
- What small habit could you adopt that draws you closer to Christ and His people?