John Stott on the Microchip

I saw the below on Justin Taylor’s ‘Between Two Worlds’ blog, and decided simply to repeat it here in full.

John Stott, writing over 30 years ago (in 1982):

‘It is difficult to imagine the world in the year A.D. 2000, by which time versatile micro-processors are likely to be as common as simple calculators are today.

We should certainly welcome the fact that the silicon chip will transcend human brain-power, as the machine has transcended human muscle-power.

Much less welcome will be the probable reduction of human contact as the new electronic network renders personal relationships ever less necessary.

In such a dehumanized society the fellowship of the local church will become increasingly important, whose members meet one another, and talk and listen to one another in person rather than on screen.

In this human context of mutual love the speaking and hearing of the Word of God is also likely to become more necessary for the preservation of our humanness, not less.’

John R.W. Stott, I Believe in Preaching (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1982), 69.

This is me now, not Justin Taylor:

Apart from the keen foresight, I’m struck again by Stott’s ability to say a lot in a little, to see the upsides (‘We should certainly welcome...’) and potential downsides (‘Much less welcome...’), the careful qualification of statements (‘likely to be...’, ‘probable reduction...’, ‘likely to become...’), and his reinforcement of the theological and pastoral significance of the church and Scripture.