Three human dilemmas not resolved by Technology, Billy Graham TED talk (1998)




In 1998, Billy Graham was 80 years old. He was invited to give a TED talk in California. This video is almost 30 minutes long, but I hope you will make the time to consider his words.

He speaks to those on the front lines of technology and ideas. He speaks of a man from ancient Israel who benefited from the technological revolution known as the Iron Age, David (king of Israel at that time).

And he notes that technology has still not solved 3 of mankind's greatest dilemmas:
-human evil,
-human suffering,
-and death.

But he notes that David has written about these problems, and that he found a resolution for them in his belief in God.

Rev. Graham goes on to note many famous names in modern history, each one having their own personal religious beliefs, but each one wrestling with these same human dilemmas. Rev. Graham highlights that they all have in common this wrestling, and encourages his listeners, pioneers in ideas and in technology, to consider these human dilemmas, even as they push toward the frontiers of their respective fields. 

Even though this TED talk was given nearly 25 years ago, it is worth our time to think about these ideas again. Technology is advancing at lightning speed, and yet our human problems remain! 

I would humbly submit that as you consider the human dilemma, that you would consider the possibility that faith in God, and faith in the Son of God, Jesus, could be where the human search for significance and for help might be found. I believe that God really loves you, and I believe that if you choose to believe in that, that it can change your life, and bring you the peace and significance that you are likely searching for - peace and significance that you have not yet found in technology.

Moses wrote to ancient Israel of the possibility of faith in God. He had issued the commandment to love God, and he then goes on to say, “For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it." Deuteronomy 30:11-14

This "word" that Moses speaks of is the words that God has said to you and to me. It tells of the One who loves you so much that He moved heaven and earth to bring love and forgiveness and peace to you. 

 

If you want to talk more about this, please reach out to me. Seriously, ask me for my cell number, because I would love to talk more about this with you.


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