Q&A with John Dyer
John Dyer works at Dallas Seminary as the director of web development where he also earned a theology degree. He is actively involved in several open source web projects, builds ministry resources such as www.bestcommentaries.com, and blogs about technology and faith at www.donteatthefruit.com.
ECHO: I find the combination of a web development career and a theology degree pretty interesting. How do those two things complement each other in your life and work?
JD: It feels like a pretty big responsibility. God has give me the chance to deeply study the greatest of all messages while also allowing me to work with one of the most powerful of human mediums. Along with a beautiful wife and wonderful son, I am a blessed man!
Early on, the worlds of technology and theology didn’t interact for me very often. Then I took a class on “Theology and Society” and read some books on the history of technology, and my eyes were opened to see that technology has been a major force in the world and in the church.
I continue my job in the technology world because I think technology has a place in the redemptive story of the Scriptures, restoring some of what was lost in the fall. At the same time, I think it can influence us in subtle ways, and we sometimes get a little too excited about its potential. Technology is shiny and fun, but when it comes to transforming lives it is terribly underpowered and overpriced compared to the Holy Spirit.
ECHO: Your technology & faith blog, www.donteatthefruit.com, is relatively new. What kind of feedback and response are you getting so far?
JD: So far the blog seems to be doing pretty well in terms of getting traffic and comments. There are several excellent resources out there on using technology for ministry, but not too many that look at technology from a theological perspective and ask questions about how it might shape who we are as humans created in God’s image.
Regarding numbers and web traffic, Dwight Shrute’s blog used to crack me up because below every post it said, “95 comments already.” That little word - already - seems to perfectly expose how we can sometimes get caught up in numbers and speed when talking about our blogs, followers, and friend counts. It’s tempting to think that popularity in numbers means that we’re actually doing something godly.
ECHO: Your Echo breakout session is titled, “Using Technology Without Technology Using You.” What is one way to know if technology is using you?
JD: I think a good thing for all of us to do is sit down with someone whom we normally thing of as not “getting it” about technology and really listen to what they have to say about how we in the technological generation look with all our gadgets and internets.
ECHO: Is there a new technological tool or trend that you’re particularly interested in or intrigued by? If so, why?
JD: There seems to be a trend of high profile individuals quitting facebook, twitter, blogging, and so on. These folks aren’t just cutting back or taking a break – they are deleting accounts altogether. I think this is important for all of us to take note of because if those who are at the top have trouble controlling these technologies who are we to think we’ll be immune if we reach the same level of success and popularity?
The other trend I’m happy to see is that people are taking note of authors like Shane Hipps and magazines like Collide which are attempting to think well and Christianly about technology and media, neither blindly rejecting it nor always eating the fruit.
June 19th, 2009 at 9:47 am
I had a chance to hangout with John at Church Tech Camp back in January he is the real deal. John, in my opinion is a very passionate when it comes to web development and theology, creative and innovative individual that is not afraid to color outside the lines and do something different.
By the way he has the best blog name in history: http://www.donteatthefruit.com