(I’ve thought long and hard about how Christians fit into the digital networking world, and have been navigating those waters myself for years now. It’s a rapidly evolving area and “the rules” seem to be written on the fly, but there are certain core principles that should guide a follower of Christ in all interactions, including social networking. This brief series is a humble attempt to sketch out a high-level view of the landscape, with one foot planted on eternal truth, and the other trying to keep pace with the fast-moving world of networked communications. -Steve Woodruff)
Digital networks are a given. We now have a breathtaking ability to communicate globally, with very few barriers; and, barring some unforeseen disaster, we’re not going back to the analog days.
As with all areas of progress through the centuries, this is a two-sided coin. There is a great blessing in digitally-fueled networked communications, and there is potential danger. Christians should never be naïve about areas of technological progress, painting them in shades of only black and white, good and evil. The black, the white, and all the grey in between stem from the human heart – the way we use the tools and platforms around us.
Social networks have been a cause of grief to many, leading to broken marriages, defiled hearts, and the ticking away of time frittered away in trivialities. However, the ability to easily connect and share over networks has led to richer fellowship, one-to-one ministry, and unparalleled opportunities for godly self-expression.
A budding Christian artist can find an audience via blogs and YouTube. Brothers and sisters in Christ can renew long-neglected bonds and share life together via platforms like Facebook. Unbelievers can gain a far more holistic and “human” view of believers as they share life via Twitter.
It’s an easy cop-out to blame TV, movies, or the Internet for any ascendancy of sin. And while there may be areas of blame we can assign to these vehicles as far as societal corruption, we have only ourselves to blame when we participate in darkness.
And we have only ourselves to blame if we ignore the opportunity to serve Christ through all of the means He has given us.
So, we have a choice. Eschew all progress and move in with the Amish. Or learn to deal with the hand we’ve been dealt, and redeem these powerful networks with the power of God’s grace and truth.
This series of posts (this is part 1, or the Intro, I guess!) is written for all those in the latter camp, who, like me, are on a not-so-risk-free journey to live in this present world, without being conformed to it. We might wish to return to Little House on the Prairie, when life was (purportedly) simpler. But God has put us here, now.
So let’s figure it out. Together. What issues would you like to be sure we cover? (add your Comments)
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The tool is neutral, neither good nor bad. We simply must decide how we will use this and other tools, and then do so for the glory of God. Good thoughts here Steve!
I am in thanks for the invite. Feels like there are some significant issues. As far as topics – responding vs reacting to inappropriate or difficult behaviors. i’ll think about other possibilities thanks for leading the charge great concept.
Joe
Great job, dear. Maybe I am in the right century after all. You give me hope that I can find a proper balance for this stuff in my life. Thank you for taking on this dragon and hopefully taming it!
Baby, you ain’t tamed after 29 years. I don’t think I’m going to bring social media to heel with a few blog posts… ;>}
Fantastic idea, Steve. Thank you for including me. I have admired your online interactions for so long and consider you to be forging a fine path for those of us who still struggle with how technology fits into our faith. One topic I’ve considered is how to convey thoughts/ideas with proper nuance. Anything “typed” is bound to be less emotive and if you are interacting with people in 140 characters (or slightly more on Facebook), how do you be sure to get the message across without having your tone misconstrued as narrow-minded and/or judging. I look forward to seeing where this goes!
When you find the secret to the above, Amy, please let me know! We can sell it as a 140-character how-to book and make a fortune!
Can i get a do over on topic suggestions. What i really want to talk about is how can we be salt and light. How can we walk the talk doesn’t mean we don’t have to confront challenges but when i just reread my first suggestion it feels like the wrong place to focus.
We’ll let it go this time, Joe. But that’s your last challenge flag – now you start losing timeouts!
[...] Part 1 of this series (the above is part 2) [...]