Prominent US theologian John Piper was recently interrupted during a rousing sermon by his watch registering exuberant gestures as a fall.
The award-winning author and pastor was preaching on Psalm 16 when he waved his arms, saying “God is God!”
The 76-year-old’s smart watch then beeped immediately and he had to interrupt his talk to reassure the device that nothing was amiss.
Piper, author of Desiring God, Spectacular Sins and What Jesus Demands from the World, among many other titles, wears an Apple Watch, which can detect a range of physical changes, including temperature, heart rate, blood oxygen and falls.
The prolific writer said the technological hiccup had happened before.
He said: "You know what? My phone is telling me that I fell down," as he attempted to silence his watch. "I'm OK. I did not fall down. Did you hear it? This has happened twice in my life. I'm preaching and they think I fall down. I'm not falling down. I'm standing up. I'm preaching. Good grief, Apple."
He then continued with his sermon, entitled The Lord Governs My Good and Is My Good: All of Psalm 16 for a New Year, at South Cities Church in Lakeville, Minnesota.
Piper, a married father of five, is the former pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minnesota, and has a huge following in the Christian world through his books, sermons and podcasts.
