Should there be a distinctively Christian approach to engineering? If so, is it possible? After all, Christians and non-Christians seem to agree on all the technical details in engineering, like integration, derivation, Fourier transforms, and finite element analysis. So why do we take a distinctly Christian approach to engineering?
The first and foremost reason that we take a distinctly Christian approach to engineering is that God calls us to do so. God calls us to think and see the world in a way that reflects the way He sees the world. Whatever we do, whether we eat or drink, should be done for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31, Colossians 3:17). Whatever we do includes all engineering, meaning that all engineering and technology should be done to the glory of God. Not only should all engineering be done to the glory of God, but we are additionally called to grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). This knowledge includes engineering because all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are deposited in Christ (Colossians 2:3). This means that all the knowledge about engineering, all the knowledge about technology, all the knowledge about science, and all the knowledge about mathematics are deposited in Christ.
God also tells us that genuine knowledge of any subject whatsoever begins with reverence and submission to the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). This includes engineering. Genuine knowledge in engineering is not only deposited in Christ but begins with reverence and submission to God. We are called to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind (Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30,33, Luke 10:27). Our minds are to be used in a way that pleases and honors the Lord. This is why God calls us to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Since every thought is to be taken captive, this means that every thought about integration, every thought about Fourier transforms, every thought about principal component analysis, and every thought about the engineering design process should be made obedient to Christ. In summary, the first reason that we take a distinctly Christian approach to engineering is because God calls us to do so.
The second reason that we take a distinctly Christian approach to engineering is because neutrality in engineering is impossible. Even though Christians and non-Christians may agree on many of the technical details of engineering, that does not make the discipline of engineering itself neutral (nor does it make those technical details themselves neutral). One reason that we know neutrality in engineering is impossible is because we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13). We cannot serve two different lords while doing engineering. Either we will be serving the Christian God or we will be serving some other god.
The other reason that we know neutrality in engineering is impossible is because of the doctrine of creation. Everything is unified under the sovereign disposition and creative power of God, so there is nothing that is not God’s. Christ is Lord over everything and should receive the preeminence in all things (Colossians 1:18). This includes engineering, implying that Christ is the sovereign Lord over every aspect of engineering. In summary, the second reason that we take a distinctly Christian approach to engineering is because neutrality in engineering is impossible.
If God calls us to take a distinctly Christian approach to engineering and if neutrality in engineering is impossible, then what does it mean to have a distinctly Christian view of engineering? One of the things this means is that we are called to see God’s eternal power and divine nature present in every aspect of engineering, including the so-called “neutral” technical details. After all, God’s eternal power and divine nature are so clearly seen by everyone (Christians and non-Christians alike) as to render them without excuse since all of creation declares the glory of God (Romans 1:18-20, Psalm 19:1-4).
This means that when we develop an engineering product in the United States, as Christians we expect that product to work in the same way in China (given the same environmental conditions). The reason we expect this is because God is omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-10, Jeremiah 23:24). The same God who upholds the universe in the United States is also the same God who upholds the universe in China (Hebrews 1:3). Furthermore, as Christians we expect that engineering products developed now will continue to work in the future (subject to normal wear and tear). The reason we expect this is because God is immutable and unchanging (Malachi 3:6, James 1:17, Hebrews 13:8). Since God’s character does not change over time, the manner in which He upholds the universe will not change over time, implying that engineering products will work the same way tomorrow as they do today.
The belief that engineering products produced in one place will work in other locations, both now and in the future, is fundamental to all engineering design. Without it, engineering would be impossible. But here we see that this fundamental belief is based on the nature and character of the Christian God. So should there be a distinctly Christian approach to engineering? Is it possible? Absolutely. God calls us to it.