Reformation Reloaded: Part 1 Christians and New Media

Martin Luther used new media technology, the movable-type printing press, in a way that changed the world.  This article springboards off the article, "How Luther Went Viral."  Now, we live in an era of new technology where people in even the remotest parts of nations like Cambodia have Internet-connected smartphones.  This is an exciting and yet perilous time for Christianity in general and world missions in particular because truth and error can travel around the world in an instant, and often error is more popular and better funded.  

One challenge to overcome is that Christians tend to have an aversion to new technologies and means of communication.  My 79 year old mother tells the story of a missionary to Japan in the years immediately after World War 2, who filmed his mission work.  When he returned to Missouri and tried to present his work with local churches and show his "mission films", they rejected him saying, "We won't have movies in Church!"  That was in the late 1940s.  By the time the Jesus Film was produced in 1979, the churches were willing to accept it, but by then, they were behind the curve instead of being cutting edge.  

We live in a time of Internet, smartphones, and social media.  We can complain about how much the young people are using it.  We can warn of the dangers of pornography etc. etc. on the Internet.  But, unless we also learn how to provide more, quality, Christian content for the Internet/apps/devices, we will be left behind once again.  

It is possible to update our methods of communicating the Good News of Jesus Christ without compromising the eternal truths of the Bible.  God's Word is active and powerful, whether it is printed on parchment, paper, a computer screen, or in audio form.  There was a time when paper tracts like the Four Spiritual Laws were cutting edge, but now there are increasing advantages to developing digital-tracts that can be produced, spread, customized, translated, and used around the world for a fraction of the costs of printing on paper.   

Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

Matthew 24:35 "Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear."  

1 Corinthians 9:22-23 "When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings."

While some are trying to change Jesus Christ and the Bible to match the trends and values of pop culture but Scripture does not give Christians those options.  But, we are free and encouraged to "Go into all the world."  I believe that all the world, includes the World Wide Web and whatever new media technology that comes next.   

As the old Hymn goes, "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow....Because I know, He holds the future..."  
Continue to Part 2. 

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