4 Books to Help You Navigate Technology and Faith
Technology is everywhere—from smartphones and social media to streaming services and smart homes. It’s transformed how we communicate, work, and even worship. But as followers of Jesus, how do we navigate both the challenges and opportunities that technology presents without losing sight of our faith?
Just like everywhere else, Red Deer is a city wrestling with both the benefits and struggles of living in a hyper-connected world. I’m sure you’ve seen it in coffee shops, at the grocery store, and even at church. Technology is everywhere. At Centre Church, we believe that God’s wisdom offers us a clear—though not necessarily easy—path forward, helping us use technology in ways that honour him and blesses others.
Of course, the Bible is our best source of wisdom for navigating our world, but here is a list of my top five books for biblically engaging with technology and faith.
Perhaps one of these will help you to think about your relationship with technology in the way that they’ve helped me.
#4. 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You by Tony Reinke
“Before you text, tweet, or publish digital art online, honestly ask yourself: Will this ultimately glorify me or God? Will this stir or muffle healthy affections for Christ? Will this merely document that I know something that others don’t? Will this misrepresent me or is it authentic? Will this potentially breed jealousy in others? Will this fortify unity or stir up unnecessary division? Will this build up or tear down? Will this heap guilt or relieve it? Will this fuel lust for sin or warn against it? Will this overpromise and instill false hopes in others?”
Reinke’s book dives into the ways our smartphones shape not just our habits but also our hearts. The author poses questions questions that act as a wake-up call for anyone who is glued to their device more than they’d like (myself included)—helping us assess whether our digital lives draw us closer to God or further from Him.
In our everyday lives where smartphones keep us connected to family, friends, and work, this book challenges us to rethink the way we use our devices. Whether you're scrolling through social media while waiting for coffee or responding to work emails, Reinke offers practical ways to prioritize what truly matters in a busy world.
#3. Seculosity by David Zahl
“The objects of our seculosity—food, romance, education, children, technology, and so on—aren’t somehow bad. Quite the opposite—they are by and large great. It’s only when we lean on these things for enoughness, when we co-opt them for our self-justification or make them into arbiters of salvation itself, that they turn toxic.”
David Zahl highlights how even good things—like technology—can become substitutes for God when we rely on them for meaning and "enoughness." He defines “seculosity” as any kind of “religiosity that’s directed horizontally rather than vertically, at earthly rather than heavenly objects.” This book is a refreshing reminder to approach technology with a mindset of freedom, not dependence.
In a city like Red Deer, where the busyness of life, family, and everything in between can often pull us in different directions, Seculosity provides a much-needed perspective shift. It reminds us that while technology can enhance our lives, it should never define our worth.
#2. The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch
“We are continually being nudged by our devices toward a set of choices. The question is whether those choices are leading us to the life we actually want. I want a life of conversation and friendship, not distraction and entertainment; but every day, many times a day, I’m nudged in the wrong direction. One key part of the art of living faithfully with technology is setting up better nudges for ourselves.”
Andy Crouch offers a framework for families looking to make technology serve their values, rather than dictate them. His insights are especially helpful for setting boundaries and creating a culture of conversation, creativity, and connection in your home.
While I don’t recommend everything Crouch suggests here (some of his ideas are a little far for my linking), I feel this book does a good job of speaking directly to the challenges of balancing screen time with meaningful relationships. Whether you’re managing devices for your kids after school or hosting family dinners free from tech distractions, The Tech-Wise Family offers practical steps to help you live intentionally.
#1. The Wisdom Pyramid by Brett McCracken
“In the competitive landscape of the digital age, the “food” of information is not getting more nutritious; it’s veering in the direction of junk food. Doritos and Skittles will always get more clicks than spinach. And so we walk down the buffet line of social media snacks and online junk food, daily gorging ourselves to the point of gluttony. Unsurprisingly, it is making us sick.”
McCracken uses the metaphor of a food pyramid to emphasize the importance of consuming healthy “information diets.” He argues that filling our minds with God's truth and wisdom should take precedence over the fleeting junk food of social media and news cycles.
This message is especially relevant for the church in Red Deer as we navigate a constant stream of notifications, headlines, and digital distractions. Whether you're seeking encouragement during a tough week or grounding yourself before Sunday worship, The Wisdom Pyramid can help you focus on what truly nourishes your soul.
Bonus: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
“In recent decades, America and many other Western nations made two contradictory choices about children’s safety, and both were wrong. We decided that the real world was so full of dangers that children should not be allowed to explore it without adult supervision, even though the risks to children from crime, violence, drunk drivers, and most other sources have dropped steeply since the 1990s. At the same time, it seemed like too much of a bother to design and require age-appropriate guardrails for kids online, so we left children free to wander through the Wild West of the virtual world, where threats to children abounded.”
Ok, this isn’t a Christian book, necessarily, but it’s one that I found extremely helpful for understanding the cultural climate in which we live.
Haidt addresses the unique challenges that technology poses for younger generations, particularly around mental health and social media. His critique of online environments offers a compelling call to action for parents, educators, and of course, churches.
This book helps parents understand the pressures their kids face online and equips them to build supportive, faith-filled environments at home and in the community.
Each of these books offers a unique perspective on how Christians can navigate the complex relationship between faith and technology. At Centre Church, we believe that wisdom from God’s Word—and thoughtful voices like these authors—can guide us in making technology a tool for good, not a distraction from what matters most.
Looking for a church in Red Deer where you can explore topics like these and grow in faith? Join us at Centre Church this Sunday, and let’s journey together toward lives that honor God in every area—including how we engage with technology.
