 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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Darryl RecordA Christian Apologist, Author, Missionary, Husband, and Father. Darryl has an MA in Christian Apologetics from Biola University (CA), an MA in TESOL from Azusa Pacific University (CA), and a BA in Political Science from Truman State University (MO). Note: Please share these articles as conversation starters on important topics, even if you disagree with them. Just state why you disagree and go from there. My hope is that they will help English-speaking Christians share their personal faith and beliefs on important topics with their non-Christian loved ones.
For Non-Christians and Christians Outside the USA: Please consider these articles as a gift to you sponsored by others. For American Christians: If you are blessed, encouraged, or even challenged by these articles, please make a tax deductible donation of any amount via the "Become a Financial Partner" button above, as God leads. Your finances will be used to continue and expand our apologetics, discipleship, evangelism, and other missionary ministries in Cambodia and globally (without charge to the recipients). Some missionaries who have been professionally trained as musicians etc. compose, perform, and sell their music in order to help fund their mission work. Decades of research, education, and a lot of money has been invested in me so that I am capable of communicating on these topics on a professional level. For me, these articles are my songs. Songs are often a "cry of the heart" which cannot be suppressed. I have tried my best to remain silent on these issues in the past. God may lead me to be silent again in the future. At this moment, I cannot be silent. I have come to the conclusion that when the Bible says, "the workman is worthy of his wages," (1 Timothy 5:18) that this truth does not ONLY apply to pastors. I believe that it ALSO applies to fairly tipping our waiters and waitresses etc., for their services. This is especially important if they depend on this for their income. If this offends you, then that is only indication that my articles are not valuable to you, therefore no "tip" is requested. Archives
November 2019
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