This article aims to show how digital technologies (or simply, digitality) extend and limit human communication, specifically orality. It is divided into four parts. The first part sets the background that language, speech, or communication is one of the first technologies found in Genesis 1-2. Then, it demonstrates that today’s cultural language is digitality. The second part answers the question: “If today’s cultural language is digitality, how then should Christians understand and navigate this techno-digital age?” In this part, the article presents the themes of human flourishing and fallenness. The third part explores current perspectives on digital technologies and clarifies that the extension of human communication is part of en-fleshed realities. It is embodied and holistic. Moreover, while digitality extends hu-man communication, it also limits it; extension is not equivalence. The fourth part offers a concluding thought.
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John Paul Arceno (ThM, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY) is currently a PhD Candidate in Systematic Theology focusing on Digital Theology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, TX. JP is the Lead Pastor of Union Community Bible Church in Annandale, NJ, and is a St. Irenaeus Fellow at The Center for Pastor Theologians.
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