Darrow Miller and Friends

How the Bible Inspired the Invention of the Laser Printer

Not everyone who reads the Bible is inspired to come up with a new invention. This post is about an exception.

Here at the DNA we talk about Monday Church, i.e. helping Christians learn to function from a biblical worldview in every sphere of society. In contrast to the idea that  Christianity is only relevant to the spiritual dimension of life, we want to see people living out “all that Jesus commanded” in every aspect of human life.

We recently received the video below from Dr. Christian Overman, our friend at Worldview Matters. Christian interviewed inventor Gary Keith Starkweather. Most likely, Gary’s work has impacted your life. Chances are, you have used his invention.

Gary is an American research engineer and inventor who has worked for Xerox, Apple and Microsoft. If you have used a laser printer, you’ve been touched by Gary’s highly biblical view of work. He invented that device while working at Xerox. More recently he has developed a wrap-around computer monitor.

Of course many inventors throughout history have been Christians. There’s nothing unusual about that. But Gary is an inventor who does his work consciously as a Christian. He understands the relationship between his work and the kingdom of God.

What difference does that make?

In the video below, you will see Gary’s straightforward understanding of what it means to be a Christian in the marketplace. Gary brings a robust view of his faith to his vocation. It’s an inspiring story. We offer it here in hopes that you will find encouragement from viewing it.

Maybe you will even be stimulated to think more biblically about your own work.

[youtube=http://youtu.be/8eFLQoBXMHI”>http://youtu.be/8eFLQoBXMHI&rel=0]

 

– Darrow Miller

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About 
Darrow is co-founder of the Disciple Nations Alliance and a featured author and teacher. For over 30 years, Darrow has been a popular conference speaker on topics that include Christianity and culture, apologetics, worldview, poverty, and the dignity of women. From 1981 to 2007 Darrow served with Food for the Hungry International (now FH association), and from 1994 as Vice President. Before joining FH, Darrow spent three years on staff at L’Abri Fellowship in Switzerland where he was discipled by Francis Schaeffer. He also served as a student pastor at Northern Arizona University and two years as a pastor of Sherman Street Fellowship in urban Denver, CO. In addition to earning his Master’s degree in Adult Education from Arizona State University, Darrow pursued graduate studies in philosophy, theology, Christian apologetics, biblical studies, and missions in the United States, Israel, and Switzerland. Darrow has authored numerous studies, articles, Bible studies and books, including Discipling Nations: The Power of Truth to Transform Culture (YWAM Publishing, 1998), Nurturing the Nations: Reclaiming the Dignity of Women for Building Healthy Cultures (InterVarsity Press, 2008), LifeWork: A Biblical Theology for What You Do Every Day (YWAM, 2009), Rethinking Social Justice: Restoring Biblical Compassion (YWAM, 2015), and more. These resources along with links to free e-books, podcasts, online training programs and more can be found at Disciple Nations Alliance (https://disciplenations.org).

6 Comments

  1. Christian Overman

    December 28, 2012 - 3:34 am

    Gary has a “renewed mind,” for sure. While he was working for Microsoft, he and his wife, Joyce, attended the church we attend, and Gary taught our adult Sunday school class, often spending twenty hours a week on a single teaching. Thanks for spreading his inspiring story!

    • admin

      December 28, 2012 - 12:35 pm

      Thanks, Christian, for this further detail!

  2. tammi Burns

    January 7, 2014 - 8:00 am

    Last year 2013, God showed me an idea that would save hundreds if not thousands of lives here in the United States. When I went to friends and business people idea that were of the Christian faith, my idea or God’s idea was shot down because it would be too expensive to do. I know this idea will work, because God told me it would. He doesn’t lie. Now where do I go with this “invention”?

    • admin

      January 8, 2014 - 2:05 pm

      Hi Tammi

      Glad that you found the blog an encouragement. Many people have had good ideas for things that will improve or save lives. But is not simply having the idea that is important, it is the tenacity of the “inventor” and the ability to find capital investment to get behind the idea. If your idea is to reach the light of day it will need both your persistence and the help of others.

      darrow

  3. Judy Tipton

    March 17, 2016 - 10:22 pm

    What a pleasure to watch and learn about Mr.
    Starkweather. I am an inventor too, and I have the same kindred spirit. Thank you for sharing!

    • admin

      March 19, 2016 - 6:28 am

      Judy, glad you enjoyed the piece. Thank God for innovative minds.

      darrow

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