Biometric ID Has Biblical Implications, Says Calvary Chapel Founder Chuck Smith
Pastor Dale Morgan
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Biometric ID Has Biblical Implications, Says Calvary Chapel Founder
Chuck Smith*
By James L. Lambert
November 21, 2006
SAN DIEGO, CA (AgapePress) - More than 3.3 million consumers now use
biometric technology to pay for their purchases at several U.S.
retailers, reports Parade Magazine. One prominent church founder shares
his thoughts on the biblical implications of such technology.
"Customers at several retailers can now literally pay by touch," says
the magazine in its Nov. 12, 2006 issue. "By placing their finger on a
scanner at the checkout and entering their home phone number, these
tech-savvy shoppers can deduct the cost of a carton of milk directly
from a bank account or credit card." Such futuristic technology, often
relegated to scenes in high-tech thrillers or science fiction novels, is
available now.
In a recent exclusive interview, Chuck Smith, founder and senior pastor
of the original Calvary Chapel (Costa Mesa, CA), contends that "this
development clearly illustrates that we are one step closer to what is
described in the Book of Revelation." Smith indicates that "this should
be yet another wake-up call from God that we are in the last of the last
days. We already know of eye-identification scanning devices and other
technology [identification chips for pets, GPS technology] that clearly
shows us this."
Biometric scanning involves the use of automated methods for uniquely
recognizing human physical traits. The information is then processed by
a numerical algorithm and entered into a database. It is quite different
from technology that places something inside the human body to identify
a person, such as a microchip.
With the danger of identity theft, biometric finger identity is marketed
to emphasize solutions to security and convenience issues in making
financial exchanges. Smith notes that the technology described in Parade
is introduced in a manner to make it friendly to the public. "This is
just another way of desensitizing the public to the advantages of this
new technology," he says. "It's a way for the public to buy into the
system."
While this technology is presently received voluntarily, Pastor Smith
emphasizes that there is a difference between this new technology and
the mark of the Beast, which is described in the Book of Revelation. The
mark referred to in the Bible is not voluntary, he points out; it will
be mandated.