Definition and Scope:
Invention refers to the creation or discovery of something new, whether it be a device, method, or process. In the biblical context, invention can encompass both the physical creation of tools and technologies as well as the conceptual development of ideas and practices. The Bible addresses invention in various forms, often highlighting human creativity as a reflection of God's own creative nature.

Biblical References and Themes:

1. Human Creativity as a Reflection of God:
The Bible begins with the account of creation, where God is depicted as the ultimate Creator. Humans, made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), possess the ability to create and invent. This creative capacity is seen as a divine attribute bestowed upon humanity. In Genesis 4:20-22, we see early examples of human invention with Jabal, the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock, and Tubal-Cain, a forger of all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron.

2. Wisdom and Skill in Invention:
The Bible often associates invention with wisdom and skill, gifts that are granted by God. In Exodus 31:2-5, God fills Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship to construct the Tabernacle. This passage underscores the belief that human skill in invention is divinely inspired and purposed for God's glory.

3. Invention and Idolatry:
While invention can be a reflection of divine creativity, the Bible also warns against the misuse of human ingenuity. In Romans 1:30, the term "inventors of evil" is used to describe those who use their creative abilities for sinful purposes. This highlights the potential for invention to lead to idolatry and moral corruption when it deviates from God's intentions.

4. Technological Advancements and Their Implications:
The Bible does not explicitly address modern technological advancements, but it provides principles that can be applied to the ethical considerations of invention. Proverbs 8:12 states, "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion." This suggests that wisdom and discernment should guide the use and development of new technologies, ensuring they align with God's moral order.

5. Invention in Service to God and Others:
Inventions can be used to serve God and benefit others, reflecting the biblical principle of stewardship. The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 illustrates the importance of using one's gifts and resources wisely and productively. Inventions that promote human flourishing and advance the common good are seen as fulfilling the biblical mandate to love one's neighbor (Mark 12:31).

Historical and Theological Insights:

Throughout history, Christian thinkers have engaged with the concept of invention, often viewing it as a means to fulfill the cultural mandate given in Genesis 1:28 to "fill the earth and subdue it." The Protestant Reformation, with its emphasis on vocation and the priesthood of all believers, further encouraged the development of inventions as a way to glorify God through work.

Theologically, invention is seen as a participation in God's ongoing creative work. However, it also requires careful ethical consideration to ensure that human creativity aligns with divine purposes and does not lead to pride or idolatry.

In summary, the Bible presents invention as a complex and multifaceted concept, encompassing both the potential for great good and the risk of moral deviation. It calls for a balanced approach that recognizes human creativity as a gift from God, to be used wisely and in accordance with His will.1. (n.) The act of finding out or inventing; contrivance or construction of that which has not before existed; as, the invention of logarithms; the invention of the art of printing.

2. (n.) That which is invented; an original contrivance or construction; a device; as, this fable was the invention of Esop; that falsehood was her own invention.

3. (n.) Thought; idea.

4. (n.) A fabrication to deceive; a fiction; a forgery; a falsehood.

5. (n.) The faculty of inventing; imaginative faculty; skill or ingenuity in contriving anything new; as, a man of invention.

6. (n.) The exercise of the imagination in selecting and treating a theme, or more commonly in contriving the arrangement of a piece, or the method of presenting its parts.

2810. chishshabon -- device, invention
... chishshabon. 2811 . device, invention. Transliteration: chishshabon Phonetic Spelling:
(khish-shaw-bone') Short Definition: devices. ... engine, invention. ...
/hebrew/2810.htm - 6k

4611. maalal -- a deed, practice
... doing, endeavor, invention, work. From alal; an act (good or bad) -- doing, endeavour,
invention, work. see HEBREW alal. 4610, 4611. maalal. 4612 . ...
/hebrew/4611.htm - 6k

4209. mezimmah -- purpose, discretion, device
... wickedly (1). wicked device, discretion, intent, witty invention, lewdness,
mischievous device, thought, wickedly. From zamam; a ...
/hebrew/4209.htm - 6k

5949. alilah -- wantonness, a deed
... 3), acts (1), deeds (17), shameful (2). action, deed, doing, invention,
occasion, work. Or malilah {al-ee-law'}; from alal in the ...
/hebrew/5949.htm - 6k

Invention of the Lyre; Allegorizing the Appearance and Position of ...
... Chapter XLVIII."Invention of the Lyre; Allegorizing the Appearance and Position
of the Stars; Origin of the Phoenicians; The Logos Identified by Aratus with ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xlviii invention of the lyre.htm

For Nothing is Effected by Fiction and Invention, by any Contrived ...
... [Way-2-93] For nothing is effected by fiction and invention, by any contrived
arts or searchings of? For nothing is effected by ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-2-93 for nothing is effected.htm

He Imagines Also that Both the Earthquake and the Darkness were an ...
... Chapter LIX. He imagines also that both the earthquake and the darkness were
an invention? He imagines also that both the earthquake ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lix he imagines also.htm

The Greeks Claim, Without Reason, the Invention of the Arts.
... Chapter I."The Greeks Claim, Without Reason, the Invention of the Arts.
Be not, O Greeks, so very hostilely disposed towards the ...
/.../tatian/tatians address to the greeks/chapter i the greeks claim without.htm

Some Departments of Knowledge, not of Mere Human Invention, Aid us ...
... Book II. Chapter 27."Some Departments of Knowledge, Not of Mere Human Invention,
Aid Us in Interpreting Scripture. 41. But, coming ...
/.../chapter 27 some departments of knowledge.htm

That Astrology, Soothsaying, and Similar Arts are the Invention of ...
... the divine institutes. Book II. Of the Origin of Error. Chap. XVII."That Astrology,
Soothsaying, and Similar Arts are the Invention of Demons. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xvii that astrology soothsaying and.htm

Of the State Wherein Man was Created, and How the Image of God is ...
... It was a sad and doleful invention which Satan inspired at first into man's heart,
to go about to find out another happiness,"to seek how to be wise as God ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xxiii of the state.htm

Of the Mass.
... For it is but a pure invention of men, and has not been commanded by God; and every
invention of man we may [safely] discard, as Christ declares, Matt.15, 9 ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the smalcald articles/article ii of the mass.htm

After This, Celsus, Desirous of Maintaining that Providence ...
... nor engaged in the study of philosophy, should be placed in a condition of want,
in order that they might employ their understanding in the invention of the ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxxvi after this celsus.htm

Whether Intelligence is a Power Distinct from Intellect?
... which is about a certain thing is called intention; that which remains and conforms
the soul to that which is understood is called invention, and invention ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether intelligence is a power.htm

Invention (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of finding out or inventing; contrivance or construction of that
which has not before existed; as, the invention of logarithms; the invention...
/i/invention.htm - 8k

Device (17 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) That which is devised, or formed by design; a contrivance; an invention;
a project; a scheme; often, a scheme to deceive; a stratagem; an artifice. ...
/d/device.htm - 14k

Virgin (62 Occurrences)
... HISTORICAL QUESTION 1. Statement Not Dogmatic but Vital as History 2. Its Importance
to Leaders of the Early Church 3. Hypothesis of Invention Discredits the ...
/v/virgin.htm - 64k

Birth (357 Occurrences)
... HISTORICAL QUESTION 1. Statement Not Dogmatic but Vital as History 2. Its Importance
to Leaders of the Early Church 3. Hypothesis of Invention Discredits the ...
/b/birth.htm - 71k

Alphabet (2 Occurrences)
... 3. Invention: The question of the invention of this alphabet differs from the question
of the origin of the written forms of the letters with which it is often ...
/a/alphabet.htm - 24k

Potter (14 Occurrences)
... The potter's wheel too was probably an invention of this date. ... Before the invention
of the potter's wheel the clay was shaped into vessels by hand. ...
/p/potter.htm - 28k

Pottery (11 Occurrences)
... The potter's wheel too was probably an invention of this date. ... Before the invention
of the potter's wheel the clay was shaped into vessels by hand. ...
/p/pottery.htm - 27k

Expert (59 Occurrences)
... and brass and iron, in stone and wood, in purple and blue and fair linen and red,
trained in the cutting of every sort of ornament and the invention of every ...
/e/expert.htm - 25k

Inventions (8 Occurrences)

/i/inventions.htm - 8k

Design (84 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) The invention and conduct of the subject; the disposition of every part,
and the general order of the whole. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/d/design.htm - 33k

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