Creativity has in theological traditions been understood as a divine attribute, an attribute that extends to humans who in some ways mirror God. This divinely originated impetus to create is manifested in a range of human activities to which most technology is integral. From language to media technologies, the arts, buildings, and machines, human creativity is intrinsically tied up with technology. Technological artefacts are the outcome of human creativity which in the hands of users fuels further processes of creativity leading to change and transformation. However, creativity is a divine gift which needs to be handled with care. It raises questions about the relationship between technological creation and natural creation, and how each impacts the other. In many religious traditions, human making mimics or reflects divine making: it is marked by beauty and order of creation, but also unintended outcomes including suffering and violence. In the hands of both gods and humans, it gives life and brings death.
Each era begets its own prophet; the digital age has seen its fair share. The technological innovation of today is the realisation of the dreams of dreamers who envisioned a different future.
Once created, pioneers have explored new vistas of the digital world pushing its limits, and seeing possibilities where others have remained oblivious, indifferent, or sceptical. As the novelty has worn off and digital innovations normalised into the mundanity of (postdigital) life, a new kind of prophet has emerged.
Standing at the margins looking beneath the glitzy surface of technological promise, this prophet exposes the suffering, exploitation within as well as the plight of those left behind by the digital revolution. Theirs are the utterances forged from the residues of the stories of old, bringing hope of a different future.
A significant body of work is emerging that engages with how religious faith and practice is shaped by digital technologies, media, and cultures.
This conference, hosted by the Global Network for Digital Theology, seeks to explore the impact of religious faith, practice, and theology on the digital world in both global and local contexts. We welcome papers for this conference in the following areas:
The first annual conference by the Global Network for Digital Theology was held online 14-16 July 2021.
Three broad areas were investigated.
How digital theology alters/augments theology
Digitality and theological method
The future of seminaries and theology departments and of theological dissemination