Introduction

The evidence is everywhere: we have made a quantum leap into "the age of the computer." In schools, hospitals, businesses, publishers, even local and national church offices, everything is "computerized," digitalized, programmed. You may be fascinated by computer technology or you may hate this computer craze. But none of us can escape a concern with the impact this "revolution" is having on our lives. (The other day I had to wait about three minutes for the clerk at Kentucky Fried Chicken to figure out how to register my discount coupon in her push-button cash register.)

In a way, not all that much has changed. A phone call is still a phone call even if the phone itself is more elaborate. Typing is still typing even if a word processor makes it more efficient. It could be a…