Growing Down: Theology and Human Nature in the Virtual Age

253 Pages·2017·2.76 MB·English

by  Jaco J. Hamman

GROWING DOWN
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GROWING DOWN
Theology and Human Nature in the Virtual Age
Jaco J. Hamman
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY PRESS
© 2017 by Baylor University Press
Waco, Texas 76798
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise,
without the prior permission in writing of Baylor University Press.
Cover design and custom illustrations by Hannah Feldmeier
This book has been catalogued by the Library of Congress
with the ISBN 978-1-4813-0646-1.
Web PDF: 978-1-4813-0665-2
This ebook was converted from the original source file. Readers who
encounter any issues with formatting, text, linking, or readability are
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contact Baylor University Press, One Bear Place, #97363, Waco,
Texas 76798
I dedicate this book to Jami and Michaela.
May it assist you in discovering the art of growing down.
I remember my father, Barry Hertzog Hamman (1921– 2014),
who died while I was working on this project.
He loved technology.
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CONTENTS
Ee
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction 1
1 Self Intelligence 15
Toward a Theology of Being an “I Am”
2 Relational Intelligence 49
Toward a Theology of “Being With”
3 Transitional Intelligence 75
Toward a Theology of Illusion
4 Reparative Intelligence 97
Toward a Theology of Care
5 Playground Intelligence 125
Toward a Theology of Play
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viii eCONTENTS
6 Technological Intelligence 151
Toward a Theology of Discovery and Devices
Conclusion 191
Notes 201
Works Cited 223
Index 237
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Ee
Ia m grateful for:
• Being a person rooted in family, friendships, and various
communities.
• Engineers and visionaries who bring us technologies that
enrich and transform our lives.
• Vanderbilt University for granting me teaching leave to
research and write this project.
• Students in Vanderbilt Divinity School’s Humanity and
Technology Seminar.
• The library staff at Vanderbilt University. I am especially
indebted to MAT Trotter and Chris Benda.
• Academic conferences and faith communities for allow-
ing me to reflect on and learn about our relationship with
technology.
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