TY - JOUR
T1 - The sacrality of things
T2 - On the technological augmentation of the sacred
AU - Checketts, Levi
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Philosophy Documentation Center. All rights reserved.
PY - 2021/1
Y1 - 2021/1
N2 - Mitcham, Borgmann, and others argue the character of technology is at odds with the character of Christian life. This paper challenges that claim in two moves. First, I examine ways Christian theology has been formed by Roman crucifixion, the printing press, and transoceanic navigation; Christology, biblical studies, and missiology are critically dependent upon technologies that facilitated the death of Jesus, the spread of Protestant literature, and the migration of missionaries. Second, I contend that these technologies shed light on a complicated relationship between the realm of the “sacred” and technologies. Technologies can have the character of being sacred or sacramental. As sacred, technologies fall within the purview of religious devotion like relics or icons. As sacramental, they influence the field of theology, through augmentation or restriction. Thus, technologies can be compatible with Christianity and have a positive effect on religion, expanding the fields of theological reflection and religious devotion.
AB - Mitcham, Borgmann, and others argue the character of technology is at odds with the character of Christian life. This paper challenges that claim in two moves. First, I examine ways Christian theology has been formed by Roman crucifixion, the printing press, and transoceanic navigation; Christology, biblical studies, and missiology are critically dependent upon technologies that facilitated the death of Jesus, the spread of Protestant literature, and the migration of missionaries. Second, I contend that these technologies shed light on a complicated relationship between the realm of the “sacred” and technologies. Technologies can have the character of being sacred or sacramental. As sacred, technologies fall within the purview of religious devotion like relics or icons. As sacramental, they influence the field of theology, through augmentation or restriction. Thus, technologies can be compatible with Christianity and have a positive effect on religion, expanding the fields of theological reflection and religious devotion.
KW - Christianity
KW - Crucifixion
KW - Philosophy of religion
KW - Printing press
KW - Transoceanic navigation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85103829146&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.5840/techne2021120131
DO - 10.5840/techne2021120131
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:85103829146
SN - 2691-5928
VL - 25
SP - 130
EP - 152
JO - Techné: Research in Philosophy and Technology
JF - Techné: Research in Philosophy and Technology
IS - 1
ER -