This might only apply to a very select group of ThinkChristian readers…
[lab]oratory points toward a new annual publication coming out of Calvin College called Dynamic Link: Christian Perspectives on Software Development.
Journals exploring the link between faith and academic subjects are nothing new, but software development rarely makes the list. Do you think there’s a need for journals to explore the connections between faith and IT? Any other thoughts?
Loading ...
December 18, 2007 at 11:37
I think it would be great for this to be explored. I’m a database and software developer. Often I feel like my work isn’t really that meaningful. I’d rather do some sort of work (perhaps computer related) for a church or parachurch organization.
December 18, 2007 at 11:57
A journal on software development and Christianity? Maybe. But discourse on IT and and faith – absolutely! IT is becoming fully integrated into everything we do today, as Christians we need to understand it and be prepared to face the challenges we will be facing. Studying the link between IT and faith is crucial for anyone serious about their faith in the 21st century. I am in the middle of a research project related to just this area – see my blog at http://www.lessonsfrombabel.com (click on “my research”).
Dave
December 18, 2007 at 12:04
Andy just alerted me to site called Godbit.com. Seems relevant to this discussion as well.
Dave: Why not faith and software development?
December 18, 2007 at 13:06
Wow, such a long-winded study! So many words spent on simply stating the obvious – no matter what the line of work, God applies.
Also, much of what I read was as much about business models than about software development itself.
December 18, 2007 at 19:01
Yes, of course God applies! But how? There are ethical codes for many professions, engineers, lawyers and CPAs for example. What about software engineers?
There’s definitely ethical questions in software development. The different perspectives of the Free Software Foundation and the Business Software Alliance bear witness to this.
Is one of these perspectives uniquely Christian? Both of them? Neither? The ubiquity of software, as Dave points out, makes this a pressing question. I am glad to see the folks at Calvin College doing this—they are the only ones I know of tackling it in a public forum.
December 19, 2007 at 01:54
Maybe this kind of publication happens because … IT WAS PREDETERMINED!
I’ll be here all week, be sure to tip your waitresses.
MAK
December 19, 2007 at 11:13
Unfortunately, we spent a LOT of time dealing with this issue: how can you relate your faith with engineering-type work? In reality, there are really only two ways: (1) do your work like you’re doing it for God (2) don’t work on morally inappropriate projects [some people would say an example is building bombs, but this really differs from person to person]. Anything else is really just reaching and won’t do you any practical good (read the article and really think about it, they’re totally reaching). In fact, I’ll go so far as to say that the two I mentioned also won’t do you any practical good. Sometimes, it just doesn’t make sense to try and make something into what it isn’t – instead you should let your interactions with other people be the way that you live your faith, even in a faith-neutral job.
December 19, 2007 at 17:14
My work doesn’t directly impact anyone’s faith, which is probably why I do a lot of church youth work. However, as stated, how I do it and how I interact with my co-workers reflects my deeper self, which is pretty scary. Having said that, I am a part of a supply chain that makes telecomms equipment, which at least has the potential of improving people’s lives. My dad works a lot with his hands, making and fixing things and he does a bit of hobby farming (which can make his work as an aeronautical engineer into a part-time job at times
). I don’t have the same compulsion to make physical things, but I love the feeling of making things out of software. I also like writing, but I don’t think I could do youth work or writing full time.
On the subject of creating things in software: to me the power of language in software is an insight into the fact that God created everything through a language.
December 20, 2007 at 15:27
What about Leopard and Ubuntu? How do Christians respond when everybody else (even operating systems) is bowing to Nelson Mandela?
December 20, 2007 at 16:10
Gavin: How have Apple and the Ubuntu foundation bowed to Nelson Mandela?
December 22, 2007 at 11:42
I’ve got no argument, Chris, with computer companies or software developers. No doubt their marketing people are very astute trendspotters. But let’s face it, Ubuntu is more than a brand, more than an operating system. It’s an exotic name for the postmodern humanism which has gained so much traction globally. As for a link to Leopard, decide for yourself if the timing is mere coincidence. Forgive me if I sound like a conspiracy theorist. Actually, I believe that whatever systems this world adopts, Christians should live confidently. There is a deliverer. His name is Jesus. Peace, hope and joy this Christmas.
December 25, 2007 at 23:50
“I’ve got no argument, Chris, with computer companies or software developers. No doubt their marketing people are very astute trendspotters.”
That vague comment came dangerously close to contradicting my original question (9). Instead, let me declare that Jesus is Lord, I will trust in Him, I will worship Him alone.
As for living “confidently” in these days, Watchman Nee used to urge Christians to tread softly in this world, heeding the Holy Spirit. That’s my prayer for myself and anyone reading this.