Contact Tracing and the God of Contact

The phrase “contact tracing” was practically unknown before the COVID-19 crisis. The concept is not new, but human history is about to be changed irreversibly by the combination of (1) groundbreaking technology for tracking human activity and (2) the political will to make contact tracing universal and preemptive. Worldwide trends of the past two decades pointed clearly in this direction, and so it should be no surprise that many proposed measures in response to the crisis would all but end privacy.

No society can remain truly free while abolishing privacy. Reasons of security and public health cannot change that fact – even if they often appear logical and justifiable. This is not the time for the legitimate discussion on finding the balance between these conflicting principles in the modern age. However, it is fascinating to compare the character of God with the conventional wisdom of world elites when it comes to “contact tracing” and privacy.

At first glance, it would seem that God was the inventor of contact tracing: “O LORD, you have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; you understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O LORD, you know it altogether” (Psalm 139:1-4).

God sees and counts our steps (Job 31:4; 34:21). He searches our heart and knows its intents (1 Chronicles 28:9; Hebrews 4:12-13). There is no place out of his reach: “‘Can anyone hide himself in secret places, so I shall not see him?’ says the LORD… (Jeremiah 23:24). What, then, is the difference between God’s omniscience and contact tracing by governments or social media giants?

Before addressing that question, let us consider an aspect of human character that reflects the image of God. If the era of social media has taught us anything, it is that human beings have a deep inner longing to know and be known. Establishing these deeper relationships cannot happen without relinquishing at least some privacy, but the individual must have the freedom to do so voluntarily in order for the connection to be meaningful. There can never be a true sense of security if others control to what extent and under what conditions this knowing and being known takes place.

In the new world being created before our eyes, there is no room for individual choice regarding personal information. Human beings are under constant monitoring – with no accountability for those managing the data collection, and certainly with no intent on their part to be open about their own lives. This is the way of the world, and we should not be surprised. After all, Jesus said: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them” (Matthew 20:25).

It is precisely here that we see the contrast with the character of God. He indeed knows everything about us – more than all surveillance technologies put together – but his motivation is strikingly different. God uses that information for our own good, while building a relationship of trust with us. Amazingly, his ultimate goal is to bring us into a place where the knowing is mutual! “Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12; also 1 John 3:2).

I find it simply astounding that the God who knows every detail of my life wants me to come to know him in the same way in eternity. In a world that is rapidly approaching the abolition of relationships in favor of the dark abyss of data collection, the thought of that friendship complete with reciprocity is an incredible comfort. He is not like the rulers of this world, my friends, and it is with him that we will spend all eternity.