Book Review of From the Garden to the City by John Dyer

  FROM THE GARDEN TO THE CITY


By John Dyer

ISBN 978-0-8254-2668-1

Published by Kregel

Reviewed by Clint Walker



I vividly remember my first visit to the OB/GYN with my wife. We had just discovered that she was pregnant, and we were sitting down with the doctor to allow him to define our relationship with him for the next nine months. I expected him to sit facing us, look at us, and possibly even perform a physical examination on my wife. Instead, he went to his computer, and talked through a series of questions that the computer prompted him to ask us. At least half of the visit had him facing away from us, so that he could look at his computer screen. I could not help but think this kind of doctor visit was qualitatively different than the doctor visit my mother had with her doctor before I was born.



Certainly, as Jennifer’s pregnancy had complications, we became thankful for the technology that God had given us in obstetrics. Still, sometimes you have to wonder, is all technological change a good thing? How does technology change us? How do the gadget that we feel we cannot do without form our souls?



This is the kind of question John Dyer loves. In his book From the From the Garden to the City he attempts to explain how technology is neither value-neutral, nor is easily placed in categories such as “good” or “bad”. Instead, the use of technology calls for discernment and wisdom, as well as constant vigilance. This is especially true in the life of the church.

From the Garden to the City is well-researched. Albert Borgmann, Marshall McLuhan, and Neil Postman are cited, among others.

Dyer also writes in a way that is easy to relate to. In his book, he gives many personal examples from his own life. He is honest about his struggles and his questions. From the Garden to the City is an excellent, thought-provoking book that will be a challenge for nearly every individual or church that reads it. I highly recommend it.

(thanks to Kregel Publishing for free book in exchange for an honest review)