We are going through a technological revolution, but it is not the first one, according to Billy Graham, talking at a TED conference in 1998. In one generation the people of Israel underwent a change which made them a great power in the Near East. King David introduced the Iron Age to Israel. Instead of crude tools, Israel now had iron ploughs and sickles and military weapons. The introduction of iron had an impact resembling the impact of the microchip on our generation.
But there were many problems which the new technology could not solve, and they are still with us. How do we solve the problem of human evil? Why do we have wars in every generation and in every part of the world? We can’t get along with other people, even in our own families. Racism, injustice and violence sweep our world, bringing a tragic harvest of heartache and death. The problem is within us; we are separated from our creator, God, and we need to have our souls restored, something only God can do.
Another problem which new technology could not solve was the problem of human suffering. Science has done much to push back certain types of human suffering, but everyone still gets to experience suffering in their lives. Another problem which technology could not solve was death. Technology projects the myth of control over our mortality, but death is inevitable. King David’s answer to the three dilemmas of evil, suffering and death was to seek the living God and allow him to give hope for the future.