Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) define how software components interact. An API is a contract: if you call this function with these parameters, you get this result. You don't need to understand internal implementation—you just use the interface as specified.
Good API design is crucial. Clear contracts enable reliable software. You trust that the API will do what it promises. But you must use it correctly—call functions as specified, provide valid parameters, handle responses appropriately.
This models Christ's lordship. He defines the terms of relationship. We submit to His interface—not because we fully understand internal divine operations, but because we trust the contract He's established. We use the API as specified, not as we wish it worked.
Interface Contracts
APIs establish contracts—agreements about how interaction works. The API promises: provide valid input, you'll get defined output. The user promises: I'll call correctly, handle responses appropriately.
Both parties have responsibilities. The API must work as specified. The user must use it correctly. Violate the contract either direction, and things break.
Christ's lordship establishes similar contract. He promises: follow me, trust me, obey me—and I'll give abundant life, salvation, transformation. We promise: we'll submit to your terms, trust your promises, obey your commands.
The Autistic Documentation Need
As an autistic programmer, I need clear API documentation. Don't make me guess how functions work. Don't rely on unstated assumptions. Document the interface explicitly—parameters, return values, error conditions.
Scripture functions as divine API documentation. It specifies how relationship with God works—what God promises, what He requires, how to approach Him, what to expect. Not exhaustive internal documentation (we can't comprehend divine operations fully), but sufficient interface specification.
You Don't Choose the API
Here's the key insight: users don't design APIs. The API provider specifies the interface. Users conform to it or they can't use the service.
You can't demand an API work differently. "I think this function should take different parameters" is irrelevant if you're not the API designer. Use it as specified or it won't work.
Christ's lordship works similarly. We don't dictate terms. We don't redesign the interface to our preferences. Christ is Lord—He specifies how relationship works. Our choice is conforming to His specification or not accessing the service.
Breaking Changes
Sometimes APIs release breaking changes—modifications that make previous code stop working. This requires users to update their code to match the new specification.
Christ's teaching often involved breaking changes from Jewish expectations. The Messiah was supposed to conquer Romans, not die on a cross. The kingdom was supposed to be political, not spiritual. Religious purity was supposed to exclude sinners, not include them.
These "breaking changes" to expected interfaces challenged hearers: will you update your code (expectations, assumptions, behaviors) to match the actual API, or cling to the previous specification?
Backward Compatibility
Some APIs maintain backward compatibility—old code continues to work even as new features are added. Others deprecate old interfaces, eventually removing them.
God's covenant progresses from Old to New Testament. Some aspects maintain continuity (moral law, God's character). Others are deprecated (ceremonial law, temple system). Christ fulfills and supersedes—not arbitrary changes but deliberate development of the divine API.
Understanding what's continuous and what's superseded requires knowing the documentation (Scripture, interpreted by church tradition).
Versioning
APIs use versioning (v1, v2, etc.) to manage changes. Different versions provide different capabilities.
Redemptive history has similar structure. Noahic covenant, Abrahamic covenant, Mosaic covenant, Davidic covenant, New covenant—each builds on previous, developing toward fuller implementation.
Christ is the final version—not that there will be updates, but that He's the complete specification of how humans relate to God. "God has spoken through his Son" (Hebrews 1:2). The API is finalized in Christ.
Error Handling
Good APIs specify error conditions—what happens when something goes wrong. HTTP status codes, exception messages, error responses—these help users understand failures.
Scripture similarly specifies spiritual error conditions. Sin produces death (Romans 6:23). Unbelief prevents salvation (John 3:18). Disobedience brings discipline (Hebrews 12:6). These aren't arbitrary punishments but documented consequences.
Authentication
Many APIs require authentication—you must prove you're authorized to use the service. Different authentication methods exist: API keys, OAuth, JWT tokens.
Approaching God requires authentication through Christ. "No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Not because God is gatekeeping arbitrarily, but because Christ's mediation is the authentication mechanism God established.
Rate Limiting
APIs often rate-limit—restricting how frequently you can make requests. This prevents abuse and ensures fair resource distribution.
God doesn't rate-limit prayer (pray without ceasing, 1 Thessalonians 5:17). There's no quota on grace. But there is timing—"the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective" (James 5:16) suggests relationship quality affects communication effectiveness.
Deprecation Warnings
Before removing features, good APIs warn users—"This is deprecated; migrate to the new approach." This gives time to update code before breaking changes.
Old Testament includes deprecation warnings. Prophets announced that temple system would be superseded, that new covenant was coming, that Messiah would establish different terms. Those who heeded warnings were prepared for the transition.
The American Consumer Mindset
American culture treats everything as consumer choice. Don't like a product's terms? Choose a competitor. Unhappy with service? Demand modifications or leave.
This mindset applied to Christ's lordship is spiritually fatal. Jesus isn't a product competing for my business. He's Lord establishing terms I either accept or reject. There's no competitor offering better terms. The choice is submission or rejection, not negotiation or shopping around.
Public vs. Private Methods
APIs distinguish public methods (intended for external use) and private methods (internal implementation details). Users should only call public methods—accessing private internals causes unpredictable behavior.
God reveals some things (public API—Scripture, creation, conscience) while keeping others private (internal divine counsels, full reasons for specific providences). We're meant to use the public interface, not demand access to private internals.
Demanding to understand why God allows suffering is like demanding access to private methods. The public API doesn't promise explanation—it promises presence, grace, eventual redemption.
Interface Segregation
Good API design follows interface segregation—don't force users to depend on methods they don't use. Keep interfaces focused and specific.
God's commands are similarly appropriate to capacity. Israel got Mosaic law. Gentiles got natural law. The church gets Christ's commands through the Spirit. Each interface is appropriate to its users, not unnecessarily complex.
Dependency Injection
Modern systems use dependency injection—components receive their dependencies rather than creating them. This increases flexibility and testability.
Christian life involves dependency injection—God provides what we need (grace, strength, wisdom) rather than expecting us to generate it ourselves. We receive dependencies from divine provision, not manufacture them independently.
Versioned Documentation
API documentation should match the version you're using. Old documentation for new API versions causes confusion.
Biblical interpretation requires similar care. Don't apply Old Testament ceremonial law to church-age believers—that's using documentation for a deprecated version. Understand what applies to which covenant version.
SDK and Libraries
APIs often provide SDKs (Software Development Kits) and libraries—tools making API use easier. Rather than making raw API calls, you use convenient wrappers.
The church functions like SDK—providing patterns, practices, and community that make living under Christ's lordship easier. You could try following Jesus entirely independently (raw API calls), but community provides helpful scaffolding.
Practical Implications
- Submit to specified terms: Christ defines relationship parameters, not us
- Read documentation: Scripture specifies how the interface works
- Accept breaking changes: Jesus sometimes contradicts expectations
- Understand versioning: Know which covenant provisions apply to you
- Use public interfaces: Accept that some things are private to God
- Handle errors appropriately: Understand documented consequences of sin
- Trust the contract: God keeps His promises; use the API as specified
Conclusion
APIs define how we interact with services we don't fully understand. We trust the interface contract—provide valid input, receive promised output—without needing to comprehend internal implementation.
Christ's lordship establishes similar interface. We don't need to understand all divine operations. We need to trust the contract: follow Christ, receive salvation. Obey His commands, experience transformation. Submit to His lordship, find abundant life.
My autistic need for clear specifications makes me appreciate well-documented APIs. Similarly, I appreciate that God provides sufficient documentation (Scripture) for the interface (relationship through Christ) without overwhelming us with internal implementation details we couldn't comprehend anyway.
The challenge is submission. APIs work only when users conform to specifications. Christ's lordship works only when we submit to His terms. We can't redesign the interface to our preferences. We can't demand different parameters or alternative authentication methods.
He's Lord. He defines the API. Our choice is using it as specified or not accessing the service.
One day, perhaps we'll understand internal implementation—see the code, grasp the full system architecture. But even then, Christ remains Lord, the API Designer who established how creation relates to Creator.
Until then, trust the contract, read the documentation, call functions as specified, handle responses appropriately.
The API works. The contract is reliable. The Lord is trustworthy.
Use the interface as designed.