Some ideas on how technology can be used in the Christian life

While we're talking about the relationship between technology and the Christian life, I thought it would be good to present multiple sides of the story. In my last post, I referred to an article that points out the challenges of electronic media and encourages us to invest in written texts and face-to-face living. Today's post addresses electronic media from the other side -- if electronic media are here to stay and most of us are using them, then how can they be leveraged to be vehicles of the great commandment to "love one another"?

Such is the focus of a recent blog post by Lynne Baab, author of Friending: Real Relationships in a Virtual Age. The post is on Intervarsity Press' Online Pulpit, a resource connecting IVP authors to pastors and church leaders. In her post, Baab argues that Christians need to be better equipped in using electronic media to pursue meaningful relationships. She has three recommendations:

1. Provide opportunities to talk about the most important relational passages of the Bible (1 Corinthians 13 and Colossians 3), and brainstorm about how love can be shown online and with cell phones.

2. Slow down when texting or communicating online. Instead of a flippant comment or status update, what about saying something meaningful to someone? "Love matters, and love takes time."

3. Vary the media you use to communicate with friends. If you usually use Facebook, think about writing a handwritten note or visiting in person. "Online and cell phone communication are part of daily life for most people today. Rather than telling people to turn off their electronic machines, help them grow in their ability to show love using them."


There is no substitute for person-to-person, face-to-face, eye-to-eye relationship, but since electronic media are here to stay, I appreciate Baab's desire to coach us in using them well.

Comments

  1. I'm reading a book on this very subject right now...it's called "The Church of Facebook". It's making me want to limit the amount of energy I devote to interacting with people via Facebook, and it's also causing me to think about the effects that social media is having on the way people relate to each other. It's a good book if you're ever interested in borrowing it!

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  2. I love the idea of varying media.

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