Daniel Strange, Academic Vice Principal, Oak Hill College, London
Our digital world can leave us bewitched, bothered and bewildered. Simplistic answers don’t satisfy. The strength of Ed and Pete’s analysis is its theological muscle, which has the power to slow down our spinning compass and to redirect us clearly and gloriously towards Jesus Christ. Read it and get ready for real, not virtual, transformation.
Bobby Gruenewald, creator of YouVersion & innovation leader at lifeChurch.tv
Our generation is faced with both the privilege and the responsibility to make the most of this unique moment in time. As we leverage technology to share the gospel in new ways, we encounter the inevitable questions that come with any uncharted territory. In Virtually Human, Pete Nicholas and Ed Brooks do a great job of fully examining the complexity of this landscape, and invite us to grapple with the important issues that arise at the intersection of faith, technology and humanity.
Andy Geers, PrayerMate app developer
How our faith interacts with our digital world is such an important topic, and this book gives us the theological foundations we need, whilst also being intensely practical. I wish all Christians would read this!
David Kim, Executive Director, Centre for Faith & Work, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York
Technology advances at a pace far faster than even leading technology authorities can comprehend, and the moral and societal implications of these developing technologies feel more like science fiction than science. The church is in desperate need of intelligent voices to help navigate through the complexities connected with digital technology. This book exposes the fallacy of the neutrality of technology and carefully navigates between the extremes of the pro- and anti-technology voices. Grounded in a rich biblical theology, Peter Nicholas and Ed Brooks have served the church in presenting a gospel-grounded framework from which we can begin to approach the wonder and terror of technology.
Scott KauffmaNn, Vice President of Content and Strategy at Redeemer Presbyterian New York
Virtually Human masterfully steers clear of the typical pitfalls of writing on a subject like this. It is measured without once being boring; prophetic without being scolding; and accessible without being simplistic. Ed and Pete are equally expert in their command of theology and technology. I especially appreciated their exploration of the currencies of technology – time, community, identity, knowledge and so on – by reframing them around the biblical narrative. Their arguments and illustrations are so strong and self-evident that I can imagine this book being equally effective for the Christian or the sceptic.
VAUGHAN ROBERTS, DIRECTOR OF THE PROCLAMATION TRUST, RECTOR OF ST EBBE's OXFORD
Ed and Pete help us to see how the story of the advance of technology fits within the backdrop of the big story of the world, as outlined in Scripture. This perspective prevents an unqualified acceptance or rejection of technology, but demands that we respond with both a yes and no. Those who like simple answers to every question might be frustrated by this approach, but Virtually Human has a more ambitious goal. We are not simply told what to do, but rather we are taught principles that will help us assess for ourselves how we should live... This excellent book provides us with a much-needed opportunity to consider how we should engage as Christians with the new realities of the digital age. (From the foreword.)