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Dear Steve Jobs,
Tonight my son Joshua Quinn and I drove to the Apple store in Montgomery Mall with our good friends the Marescos--Kenneth, Patrick and Braden--to see and touch your new iPad. On the way home we all talked about whether or not we "felt a connection" with it (we all did) and what our favorite features were. I loved looking at pictures on it--so much more personal and intimate than a laptop. Joshua Quinn liked playing a car racing game. Kenneth said reading a book on it made the Kindle look like a decrepit Palm Pilot.
I was thoroughly impressed. Yes, I agree with all the hype about the iPad being a game-changer for how we read books, surf the web and interact with all the digital stuff in our lives like movies, games and photos. Of course you already know all this.
I did not buy one, though sometime down the road I might. Even though I consider myself a foaming-at-the-mouth Apple fanboy, I'm glad to say I've grown in self-control a bit over the years. And I don't feel I need to own an iPad to enjoy the unfolding spectacle of public interest and your gift of stirring up media interest. I just enjoyed watching other people use the iPad at the store. I can't imagine what it's like for you to watch people using it. That must be fun for you.
It struck me tonight how many of God's characteristics your work embodies. The Bible teaches that man is made in the image of God. In other words man is the creature most like God on the earth. And that's on display in your life. The creativity and attention to detail and joy you take in unveiling your work to the world, are all qualities that point to the ultimate Creator and Inventor and Showman.
Mr. Jobs, you are created in God's image. He's the one who has given you all the incredible gifts and talents that have allowed you to succeed. I sincerely pray that you'll glorify him--that you won't be like the ancient King Nebuchadnezzar who proudly surveyed the kingdom he built and ascribed it all to his own majesty and brilliance. (If you've never heard his story, it's in chapter 4 of the book of Daniel and is worth reading.)
I've been using your computers now for 25 years. I'm grateful for the work you've done. I mean that. Thank you! And I want you to know that I pray for your good health often. I also pray that one day soon you'll come to know and worship God's son, Jesus Christ, who gave his life to save sinners like you and me. All the success you've achieved is meaningless apart from knowing him and finding through faith in him reconciliation with God.
God bless you, Mr. Jobs. And great work on the iPad.
Sincerely,
Joshua Harris
35 Comments
Wow. Great word! Couldn't agree more in every aspect.
(oh, and this read from my iPhone. :)
Thanks so much. Wonderful letter. I hope Mr. Jobs reads it.
You said it right Josh ;) Amen.
Praying Mr. Jobs reads this.
Wow. As Josh Perkins said above, I totally agree with what you said!
Have you considered emailing this letter to Steve Jobs (if you haven't already)? His email is sjobs[at]apple.com. It's been reported that at times, Jobs does reply to certain members of the public who send him Apple-related questions and concerns to that address. At least that means that he reads his emails. It's worth a shot at least! Maybe God will open his heart.
I totally agree as I type this out on my iPad.
Terrific perspective, Joshua!
Hope this makes its way to Mr. Jobs!
I saw the iPad in the hands of a new owner on Sunday, and was totally impressed! Waiting for it to work out any bugs in future versions - plus an SD card slot, etc... And how about the inevitable price cut?!
Wonderful article and prayer, bro!
As always, Josh, your written words are inspiring. I completely agree with Paul D that you should send this to his email.
Man, God has blessed you so much. I am so thankful that you take that blessing and bless others with it.
Mr Harris
First off, I've been a fan of the Harris' ever since I was... since I could remember. Finding that you are also huge Apple fans made my day!
Second... How did it feel? I. Want. One. Too bad I'm a young adult needing a car and rent money more than gadgets. Not much more, but just enough to keep me from buying.
Third, great letter, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I certainly hope it strikes a chord with His Steveness.
Isaiah J Roberts
(I never submitted to the peer pressure to dye my hair orange, or jump off a bridge. Just sayin'...)
Thanks for sending this Josh. Danny and I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Jobs many years ago. Danny received an award as one of the top ten salesman in the country of Apple computers. The award was being flown out to California and meeting Steve, and then receiving the use of a Porsche for a year. He was famous then, but the creativity and innovation that he has since displayed is fascinating. Even then, I was struck with how much he needed a Savior. May the Lord have mercy on him.
Amen! =)
I'm here for the first time via my fellow Apple Fan-pal, and enjoyed reading your open letter.
May all Christian-Apple Fanboys and Fangirls be reminded by the Apple products we use that we can little "i"s too... as in iServe, iWorship, iPray and iStudy. ;P
Josh, after reading this I had to step away for a bit to gather my thoughts...
Seriously, Josh, as Christians should we not be eager to leave childish things behind and strive towards maturity?
Respectfully.
good stuff.
Good word, Josh! It's a great perspective. Thanks!
You should tweet out the post and include @stevejobs or whatever his handle is!
You should have included the line you wrote in your earlier post about the iPad:
"...the iPad doesn't have a camera and more input options. But that's the genius of Apple. They know what to leave out. Before we even know ourselves, they figure out what we'll actually use and how we'll use it..."
Doesn't that resemble God's creation?
what's so great about apple/jobs? not sure how/when/why hyperconsumerism felt comfortable jumping in bed with christianity. shortened product lifespans and exploitative marketing intended to appeal to a sense of urgency to have the latest and greatest. i mean- i guess you could put god in bed with that if you need to be comfortable.
Many of us like gadgets. More so, we like well made, useful gadgets. Bravo for elucidating many of the things that draw us to them: As we are created in God's image and have been called to cultivate and create from what God has given us, we can also appreciate beautiful things that have been created, both by God (the Grand Canyon)and by those made in God's image(iPad). Is it wrong to admire a "thing?" Not if it is appreciated as ultimately coming from God, for the material and the ideas that go into a tech gadget are all ultimately from God. Of course, we all have to be careful we don't idolize. When I marvel at an iPad, I'm amazed at how great it is, but this is just an infinitely small part of what God can do. How much more shall we worship God for the other works he's done?
I like the tone of this article. I hope Steve reads it someday.
Loved the perspective.
AHhhh This is soooooooo amazing! You're an amazing person Josh! I am blown away with your boldness and power!
I've shared it with all my friends.
http://www.joshharris.com/2010/04/dear_steve_jobs.php
here's the real link:
http://www.facebook.com/notes/michael-sumondong/dear-steve-jobs-by-joshua-harris/385078183395
Bob, I think you make the same point a little less subtly.
And your question is probably better asked the other way around: When/why/how did christianity feel comfortable being wed to consumerism?
Sadly, however, this is but a tip of the iceberg in terms of things imported wholesale into "orthodoxy" nowadays...
I don't think enjoying the iPad (and writing about that) as a christian is something to worry about:
I Cor. 7,31: "And they that use this world, as not abusing it"
Yes, j., if only that were the point ("enjoying and writing"). But it clearly isn't.
http://blog.beliefnet.com/stuffchristianculturelikes/2010/02/the-ipad.html
A delectable example of evangelicals loving Apple so much that they want Steve Jobs to not perish in eternal hellfire.
I wept with joy as I read this.
Not because of anything but knowing it is
pleasing to Jesus to reach out in love to
others.
If nothing else happens mr. harris, when
you see our Jesus, what a wonderful thing
to be reminded of as He walks you through
your life.
"here, here My son, is a place where you were
good and faithful, and I was well pleased".
His wonderFUL peace 2 u,
rocco
@clay @bob
Always looking for the negative? Always over eager to point out a flaw even when one does not exist. You seem to be using some type of modern day device while posting your negative comments. Ever consider why you have electricity or a refrigerator? "Man', is created in God's image, therefore we all are a reflection of God's creativity whether we worship Him or not. And to recognize that nature in others is not a failing but an astute observation.
Seriously, Clay, as Christians should we not be eager to leave childish things behind and strive towards maturity?
Ok, I'm going to go ahead and preface this with the whole "I'm not exactly a devout Christian so maybe take this with a grain of salt". That being said, there's a significant difference between Jobs and the Creator...as in one of them creates things with the main goal of generating profit. Yes, Apple products are wonderful tactile devices that bring people much joy, but they aren't exactly made in the spirit of altruism. Yes, Steve Jobs and Apple are a good example of innovation and creativity but if you are going to compare his qualities to those of God, then the intention behind his innovation should be taken into account. Also, as a side note, Steve Jobs is currently worth upwards of 4 billion dollars yet does not appear to give much back to charities or foundations: "Jobs does not appear on lists of gifts of $5 million or more over the last four years. Nor is his name on a list of gifts of $1 million or more compiled by Indiana University's Center on Philanthropy." (Link to article at bottom).
Read More http://www.wired.com/gadgets/mac/commentary/cultofmac/2006/01/70072#ixzz0p9w73cqV
Does this excuse for Christians to be 'foaming-at-the-mouth Apple fanboys' when Apple is such a big supporter of the homosexual agenda?
I often talk to a lot of my friends and they are such a great supporters of Apple and I show them how much Apple supports the homosexual agenda and they are plainly ignorant. Their response is 'well i'm happy with Apple, who cares where my money goes'
We have been given a spirit of discernment and it would be wise to know where we invest our money. Apple (like someone already said here) should take a neutral stand on this issue, but they will never do, and us Christians keep giving money to support the cause.
Emil, so does every Christian who attends a secular college support the homosexual agenda? Because almost every secular university supports homosexual groups who get funding from the student governments who are funded by students' tuitions. So should Christians never go to secular colleges? We'd be extinguishing a lot of needed "lights" in those dark places if all the Christians didn't go out and minister in secular colleges. Do you see where this logic goes when we keep going down this road about where our money goes?
Unfortunately, almost every part of our society supports homosexuality in some fashion or another, and saying you should completely abstain from Apple products because they support the "homosexual agenda" is a little bit of a stretch because I'd hedge my bets that there are plenty of companies that we purchase from everyday who give support to homosexual groups. I'm not saying that we should be all about everything Apple or oogle over the company. I'm just saying that saying to never buy Apple because they "support the homosexual agenda" isn't feasible for everyone. I'm not saying your convictions are wrong, I'm just saying that to judge people who don't feel the same (Romans 14).
Sori that letter was not encouraging Mr Jobs at all, it was more condeming him by saying he shud glorify God for his gifts n talents.. I am sure Mr Jobs knows wot he is doing and God knows his heart and he cud be a believer n the world does not need to know that.. This email was kind of a spooky email, instead of you just want to thankyou for your effort to helping bring a true freedom of wisdom than trying to push him into a corner as if he was King Nebuchadnezzar. This letter is more selfrighteous christian speaking in other words it sounds like a book keeping christians who is looking out to count peoples sins out there... Yes it is a book keeping christians who counts all the wrong things ppl do n count all the right things they do which they think will earn them rewards in heaven, sadly.. we can't earn good works or count up the wrong things of others to gain heavens favor.. cause thats called fallen from grace.. anyways.. blessings!!!
Emil, from what I understand (and I apologize if I am incorrect in this assumption) but the argument against homosexuality from a Christian standpoint is that it is considered an abomination, against the natural order of things, and is generally considered blasphemous. It is perfectly within your rights to consider this a valid opinion, however while you view homosexuality as such I would hope that you would also consider child labor in deplorable conditions,the destruction of rain forests, and the unjust treatment of God's creatures to be at least as offensive, if not more so considering that these acts are done purely for profit while the "act" of homosexuality is (perhaps in your opinion, abominably) done in the spirit of love. Because, while I am unaware of Apple's "homosexual agenda", or furthermore that homosexuals have any agenda besides having the same rights and freedoms as any heterosexual couple, I am aware that by purchasing clothing, meat products, furniture, and even coffee you may be furthering the agenda of corporations and enabling them to enslave more children, promote more poverty, kill more animals inhumanely, and in some cases recruit more guerilla's to murder more people as is sometimes the case with non fair-trade coffee. So, if you do in fact check out every supplier of clothing, food, coffee, furniture, and well pretty much everything, to ensure that it does not support any of these things, then I stand absolutely incorrect. Otherwise, I would remind you about the throwing of the proverbial stones.
Wow, I agree! This letter made me realize what a joy it must be for God to watch his creations at play. Like a parent watching their child go put into the world. I am a recent Mac convert myself. Thank you, Steve Jobs for sharing your brilliance with the world, and thank you, Josh Harris for opening my eyes. (PS, this was typed on on iPod touch. :)
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