1. Introduction
2. Definition of "Hacker"
3. Why tell Hackers about Jesus?
4. Are Hackers a "people group"?
5. Methodology
6. Conclusion

Christian missionary work has a long diverse history over the centuries reaching around the globe to multitudes of people "from every tribe and language and people and nation..." (Rev. 5:9, cf. Rev. 7:9, Rev. 10:11, Rev. 11:9, Rev. 13:7, Rev. 14:6, Rev. 17:15). The 'Great Commission' of Matthew 28:19-20 has served as a classical missiological impetus and creed by which the preaching of the Good News has often been supported and encouraged, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you..." Holy Writ makes abundantly clear that Christ is for all peoples and that we are commanded to share the gospel with them.

The Truth found in the above cited scriptures as well as many others can be shown to have important implications for 21st century evangelistic efforts which should be fully explored in diverse cultural circumstances by those with a heart for the lost. It is important to recognize that while the true Holy Gospel itself does not change --and is in fact unchangeable-- societies do change both with the passing of time and with geographical location. These societal changes sometimes necessitate changes in method or technique while still preserving the original gospel message.

With that in mind, I will attempt to show how the necessary missiological connections can be made and applied between the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ and the computer hacker subculture.

Before going further, it will be necessary to define terms. Any definition offered for "computer hacker" is certain to fall short if certain biases and prejudices are not eliminated at the start. The hacker subculture often feels unjustly persecuted, targeted, maligned, vilified, slandered and libeled by the various media reporting venues. The word "hacker" has been transformed over time from something positive and honorable to a pejorative, derogatory slur in the minds of most people. A complete linguistic analysis of this change is beyond the scope of this paper. Nevertheless, true hackers yearn and strive to live under the original sense of the word, while sometimes the newer generations of hackers have contributed to the corruption of this once complimentary term. The media rarely reports any positive news about hackers, thus creating the illusion that there is none to report, and often does much to create fear, uncertainty and doubt in the minds of the gullible public leading to unjustified stereotypes relating criminal activities such as credit card fraud, telephone fraud, web page defacement, denial of service attacks, "cyberterrorism", and malicious destruction of computer data as the work of hackers.

Some definitions are offered in The New Hacker's Dictionary (Eric S. Raymond, MIT Press, 3rd edition 1996):

1. A person who enjoys exploring the details of programmable systems and how to stretch their capabilities, as opposed to most users, who prefer to learn only the minimum necessary.
2. One who programs enthusiastically (even obsessively) or who enjoys programming rather than just theorizing about programming.
3. A person capable of appreciating hack value.
4. A person who is good at programming quickly.
5. An expert at a particular program, or one who frequently does work using it or on it; as in `a UNIX hacker'. (Definitions 1 through 5 are correlated, and people who fit them congregate.)
6. An expert or enthusiast of any kind. One might be an astronomy hacker, for example.
7. One who enjoys the intellectual challenge of creatively overcoming or circumventing limitations.
8. [deprecated] A malicious meddler who tries to discover sensitive information by poking around. Hence `password hacker', `network hacker'. See cracker.

Steven Levy identified the components of the original 'hacker ethic' in his book Hackers (Anchor/Doubleday 1984):

Much more can be said regarding the definition of hackers and the evolution of the hacker ethic. Suffice it to say that much has been and will continue to be written on the subject as new technologies become available and are used in creative new ways by the computer underground subculture.

Regardless of your opinion of hackers, whether it is highest esteem or lowest contempt, the Bible makes this point clear: they need Jesus just as much you do. Because, "salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). The Bible commands each of us to love hackers in the same way we love ourselves (Matt. 19:19).

Hackers until now have been a previously unreached "people group". It is largely the case that Christ is not known as Lord and Savior personally among many hackers. Therefore, it is fitting to consider this opportunity as a parallel situation to what the Apostle Paul faced, "It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation" (Rom. 12:20). As the first missionary organization dedicated to reaching hackers, we also expect to face the same opposition that Paul expressed two verses later, "This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you" (Rom. 15:22).

In fact, this gospel must be preached to hackers. Woe to us if we neglect it (1 Cor. 9:16)! The gospel indeed must be preached to all, "and this gospel of the kingdom will be preached to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matt. 24:14).

IV) Are Hackers a "people group"?

It would be wise to ask the significance of the words listed in the phrase "nation, tribe, people and language" found several times in the book of Revelation.

1. Nation can be thought of as nation-state; that is to say, a political governing entity confined by geographic boundaries. We hear of missionary efforts to nations such as Afghanistan or China for example.
2. Tribe can be thought of as a subculture within a particular people containing some of its own unique customs and traditions, yet still sharing parts of the larger culture of the surrounding society. We hear of missionary or evangelistic efforts to help the deaf, mute, and blind, and of prison ministries, and groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and the Christian Motorcyclists' Association. I would consider these efforts as reaching people who are part of society at large, yet still retain some distinguishing characteristics that create a unique sense of community in a subculture or "tribe".
3. People can be thought of as a particular society or culture which often transcends national borders, language barriers and sometimes racial or ethnic categories. Missionary groups like Jews for Jesus are dedicated to bringing the truth about the Messiah to the Jewish people for instance.
4. Language is quite obviously the particular tongue which people speak with. We hear of efforts to translate the Bible into all languages by groups such as Wycliffe Bible Translators.

Hackers live in many nations around the world, speak many different languages, have no single ethnic or racial identity, yet can be considered both a "people group" at large, or "tribe" within each particular society. They are bound by certain ethics, ideals, founding myths, traditions, folklore, shared histories, heroes, nemeses, and clever inside jargon, which together have created a subculture transcending the nation-state, yet found imminently within it.

Demographically, many hackers are adolescent and young adult males. There are always exceptions to this with a minority of females and soon-to-be senior citizens present within the hacking community. The racial diversity varies geographically and is not restricted. Accurate demographic information is difficult to ascertain due to the secretive, global, and virtual nature of the hacker community.

In most missionary situations, it is best to train and raise up native missionaries from among a people group. Native missionaries gain trust more easily from the local population, already understand the culture in which they are living, and are able to more easily communicate and translate the gospel to the people they are trying to reach. The hacker subculture is complex enough to warrant some serious effort on the part of the hacker missionary to understand the previously mentioned ethics, histories, jargon, etc. Andrew Careaga says in his book eMinistry (Kregel Publications, 2001), "the Internet is like a global mission field, ripe for the harvest. If we are to be missionaries to the Internet, however, we first must understand its culture. This means that we must immerse ourselves in cyberculture, understand its habits and customs, its language, and its worldview. Only then will we be ready to become Internet missionaries" (76-77). He continues, "for any e-vangelist to venture out into the Internet before gaining a good understanding of the culture and customs of cyberspace would be arrogant -- just as it would be arrogant for a missionary to expect to minister amid a culture and people about which he or she knows nothing" (155). To truly make disciples, we must develop friendships and meaningful relationships with those we seek to share the gospel with. It is helpful if there is a certain level of trust established between the two parties in order for the gospel can be proclaimed effectively online. It is far too easy to practice a kind of e-vangelism which shows little concern for the individual soul and a poor reflection of the love of Christ. Innovative ways to reach out with caring hearts through the keyboard and across the Internet will need to be developed. There is much need for salt and light in the dark reaches of the digital underground. Will you be the one to bring it?

In order to develop a hermeneutic for reaching out to computer hackers we need to first examine their interests and value system. We risk overgeneralization or underdevelopment of this profile if we use too broad or narrow a brush. The need for learning this information firsthand cannot be overemphasized. It is best to deal with individuals rather than stereotypes, with real human hackers rather than your perception of one. Furthermore, hackers by definition have certain qualities which make them very difficult or impossible to categorize.

With that said, I think certain things may be said about the interests of the hacker subculture.

Hacking (a very broad term encompassing all of the below and much more)

Programming

Hardware Tinkering

Computer Security

Network Security

Cryptography

Telephone Phreaking

Software Cracking

Reverse Engineering

Radio & Cellular Communication

Virus Experimentation

These, along with many other diverse interests such as lockpicking and explosives manufacturing to bar codes and satellites are expressed in the underground literature.

Next, we examine what core values are represented by and embedded within these interests collectively.

Security

Privacy

Anonymity

Freedom

Information - "free flow of information"

Obscurity of information

Communication

Intelligence

Creativity

Technical Prowess

Ingenuity

Complexity

Curiosity

Power and Control

Excitement - "thrill of the hack"

When taken to the extreme these values can lead to various negative effects and sinful behaviors. For instance, when security, privacy, and anonymity are overvalued they can lead to paranoia and isolation. Freedom without responsibility leads to anarchy. Access to valuable or obscure information can lead to pride and elitism. Communication without respect leads to gossip and hurtful words. Intelligence without the knowledge of God makes for a fool. Creativity without exercising morals leads to poor taste. If technical mastery over a complex, obscure piece of information becomes the ultimate concern in life then the individual may become prideful, arrogant, and selfish. Unbounded curiosity destroys privacy. Power without limits leads to corruption. Excitement that we cannot give thanks to God for is shameful. All of these values need to be humbly lived within a framework which glorifies God who is the only true Elite Hacker of the Universe.

So, what kind of conclusions can we draw from these interests and values that relate to the Gospel of Jesus Christ? There are indeed many parallels that can be made as shown below.

1. Security: Eternal security is found only in Jesus.

2. Privacy: Our secret sins are not hidden from God.

3. Anonymity: God knows us by name and formed us in the womb.

4. Freedom: True freedom is found only in Jesus.

5. Information: All information we need to know is in the Bible.

6. Obscurity of info: We do not have to look very hard to find God.

7. Communication: God has a message he wants to communicate to us.

8. Intelligence: God is the smartest being in the universe.

9. Creativity: God created you and this universe.

10. Technical Prowess: God is able and knows exactly what is wrong with us.

11. Ingenuity: The gospel is so ingenious we would never think of it.

12. Complexity: The gospel is simple enough for a child to understand.

13. Curiosity: God wants to know what you think about Jesus!

14. Power and Control: God is in control.

15. Excitement: A personal relationship with Jesus is very exciting!

Appropriate scripture verses abound which relate to each of these values as paralleled above. Some are listed here for each number correspondingly.

1. Acts 4:12 "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

Pr. 14:26 "He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress and for his children it will be a refuge."

2. Ps. 44:21 "would not God have discovered it, since he knows the secrets of the heart?"

Ps. 90:8 "You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence."

Rom. 2:16 "This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares."

2 Cor. 4:2 "Rather we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God."

Eph. 5:12-13 "For it is shameful to mention what this disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible..."

3. Ps. 139:13 "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb."

Ps. 139:7 "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?"

Jer. 23:24 "Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him? Declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? Declares the LORD."

4. John 8:36 "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

John 8:32 "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Rom. 6:18 "You have been set free from sin and have become slaves of righteousness."

Gal. 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set you free..."

5. John 20:31 "But these [words] are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."
6. Acts 17:27 "God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us."
7. Heb. 1:1-2 "In the past God spoke to our forefathers at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe."
8. 1 Cor. 1:19-20 "For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.' Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?"
9. Job 38-39
10. Matt. 9:35 "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness."
11. 2 Pet. 1:21 "For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."
12. Matt. 18:3 "And he said: 'I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'"
13. Heb. 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
14. Ps. 147:5 "Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit."
15. Rom. 14:17 "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit."

Now that appropriate interests, values, and gospel parallels and verses have been identified, a connection can be drawn through them to illustrate a point. Let us illustrate one example below using the interest of cryptography and the values of security and privacy.

"Cryptography is very important to many hackers. It protects the privacy of secret information such as passwords and data, thus also insuring for the security of encrypted network connections. Privacy and security are indispensable values for hackers as well as for healthy functioning of the Internet in general. But, did you know that even the strongest encryption algorithm cannot hide secrets from God? God can crack your private PGP key in the blink of an eye. The more important thing to consider though is that God also knows the secrets of our hearts. Nothing is hidden from God. The Bible says that, "you have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence" (Ps. 90:8). The real problem comes in when we understand that our secret sins have consequences, "this will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares" (Rom. 2:16). All people have sinned and face certain judgement unless they make use of the pardon that God in his grace has provided out of his great love for us. This pardon is found only in Jesus, the Son of God, who died on the cross for our sins taking the penalty for us, and who rose from the grave to give eternal life for all who believe and follow Him."

It is my prayer that God would be merciful to hackers everywhere, and that His loving grace would be made manifest in their lives through the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. May His light ever shine into the darkest corners of cyberspace!

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CHA -- Christian Hackers' Association

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For you were once darkness,

but now you are light in the Lord.

Live as children of light. Eph 5:8

www.christianhacker.org

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