1.1 Assignment
The Bible contains truths regarding everything that happens in our lives. This is also true of laws and regulations that impact our actions, including our interaction with others in cyberspace.
The Bible has much to say related to following appropriate laws and regulations. Romans 13:1–2 tells us:
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. (New International Version)
Compare the Romans passage to Acts 5:29: “Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than human beings!’” The context of the passage in Acts took place at a time when Peter and others were brought before the religious leaders of Jerusalem for preaching the Gospel of Christ.
1. Compare the two passages (Romans 13:1–2 and Acts 5:29). What are the similarities and differences between the two?
2. How would the passage in Romans apply to issues related to cybercrime and other technology concerns? Feel free to share your personal view based on your cultural and religious background.
3. How would this passage apply to your own life? Feel free to share your personal view based on your cultural and religious background.
4. Your paper should be at least 250 words in length.
2.1 Assignment
Privacy can be defined as one’s independence from being observed or being disturbed. Privacy extends to an expectation of the secrecy of one’s personal information.
Today, with the open use of the internet and the wholesale gathering of personal information, have we lost any privacy in our lives?
In the Bible, Luke 12:2–3 declares:
Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be known. Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. (English Standard Version)
Does this mean we have no opportunity for privacy? Can we trust in God to protect? Certainly. Proverbs 18:10–12 says:
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination. Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
When all seems lost, we are told we can trust God as our protection and refuge.
1. Be sure to address the following prompts in your paper:
2. Why do you think the Bible promises us that all will be revealed?
3. Based on the Bible, how do you think we can trust God as our protector?
4. Your paper should be at least 250 words in length.
3.1 Assignment
The Bible provides a wealth of insight into our lives. God’s Word provides principles that can shape our worldview toward beneficial behavior. However, the Bible also characterizes mankind as born with a sinful nature. We are told in Romans 8:7 “The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so” (New International Version). Due to mankind’s desire to seek selfish ends in all of life, we tend not to do what is right but only what is in our best interest, or so we think. However, God has a plan. Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Although the sinful nature of humankind is inherent, God has an eternal design. We, too, need a plan in our oversight of information technology use. God’s Word also reminds us that the goal is to treat our fellow members of society with the same respect we want to enjoy. Matthew 7:12 is commonly referred to as the Golden Rule. Jesus said, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you. For this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
1. Be sure to address the following prompts in your paper:
2. In what areas of your professional life could the Golden Rule, Matthew 7:12, apply?
3. How should this rule be used in developing a governance plan in technology?
4. Your paper should be at least 250 words in length.
4.1 Assignment
The Bible has much to say about sin, the failure of humankind to observe the divine law of God. How serious is sin (as we apply the idea to cybercrime) in God’s eyes? Psalm 11:5 states, “The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence” (English Standard Version). How prevalent is sin? Again, the Word of the Lord says, “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). However, the good news is that God has made a way to be forgiven of sin. Romans 8:1–3 says:
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. (New International Version)
Christ Jesus became the righteous sacrifice for a sinful world.
1. Be sure to address the following prompts in your paper:
2. The Bible states that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Reflect on the aforementioned verses. What should our response be to the need for forgiveness?
3. Is there a way out of our sinful behaviors even in how people behave in their interactions in cyberspace?
4. Your paper should be at least 250 words in length.
5.1 Assignment
The Bible contains truths that impact our lives every day. Grace is a common human trait that can be found in many worldviews. One of the most clear statements of God’s concern for man’s sinful heart is found in Proverbs 6:16–19, where we read:
There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. (English Standard Version)
Malicious plans and the evil plans of man God dislikes in no uncertain terms. In Mark 7:21–22 we again see God’s deep concern for the sin of humankind: “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.” In the verses from Mark, we see just about every malicious issue that we observe on the internet. Apart from God’s grace of salvation from sin, we strive to provide a means of protecting those that use cyberspace.
1. Be sure to address the following prompts in your paper:
2. How would we apply God’s grace for the sin in our lives? What does God offer to deal with the sin in our lives?
3. How does God’s love and redemption for our sin apply to policies and practices as a society?
4. What are some ways we can model God’s love and redemption to policies and practices in the society within your cultural or religious background?
5. Your paper should be at least 250 words in length.
6.1 Assignment
In this course, we have been talking about principles related to the privacy of those that use information systems and technology. Whether the person is our customer or one of our fellow employees, we must work to assure they are being protected from various security concerns in using the cyberspace we provide. The issues can come from using a website or giving others our personal data so we can do business with them.
We have looked at biblical principles related to sin, privacy, and malicious activities, but what does God have to say about His concern for us? Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (New International Version). In God’s wisdom, far beyond anything we could think possible, He is wanting our full happiness and for good to prevail. In exchange, He wants us to love Him and accept the provision of salvation from sin He made possible through the life and death of Jesus Christ His Son who came to Earth to live among us.
1. Be sure to address the following prompts in your paper:
2. How would you apply the scripture to your professional and personal life?
3. How should we respond to God’s goodness?
4. How might this be applied as we approach best practices in information systems policies and governance?
5. Your paper should be at least 250 words in length.
