The Gospel and Technology.
Worlds Apart Yet Close…
There is a push and pull relationship that has always existed between Technology and Faith. While the ethos of Christendom has always encircled the unchanging and unshakable truths of the scripture. At its core, the spirit of the modern technological revolution is one of constant change and dynamism. The merger of these two areas often triggers friction around longstanding traditional christian orthopraxy. Thus, these two worlds have historically been at odds. One obsessed with constant change, ingenuity, and new discovery; the other focused on preserving ancient tradition, eternal truth and sacred ideals. The church has long debated the place of technology in christian liturgy. Some forget that once upon a time, there were heated debates around the use of things like projectors and PA systems in churches. Now they are common place in worship services and crusades. Technology has been and will always be apart of our lives. It affects the way individuals communicate, learn, and think. The impact of technology is not just limited to secular spaces, but technology has greatly transformed communication within Christendom as well. From the first emergence of instruments of writing; to the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenbergin 1440, triggering Printing Revolution; to the invention of the microphone in 1877 by Emile Berliner, technology has changed the way believers preserve and distribute the the Gospel. What was once only oral tradition then became writing on parchment; that later became a letter on paper; then a telegram via wire; then a phone call; then an email; then a sms text message; and now a social media post.
The Currency of Influence
Furthermore, When we talk about the overlapping of Technology and Evangelism one important buzzword that immediately comes to mind is the word ‘Influence.’ The Oxford Dictionary (2020) defines Influence as, “The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something.” We understand that the undercurrents of evangelism is influence. Making disciples is impossible without influence. Churches would not exist without a preacher’s ability to influence people. Influence is a language the church should understand. Concurrently, with the advent and evolution of social media, this word ‘influence' has found new life in the realm of technology. Today, there are millions of groups and brands with competing interests and ideas all vying for attention and influence over the world’s population. Unfortunately time and attention are finite resources, and there is only so much that people are willing to pay. Social Media has evolved in such a way that it uses this ‘influence’ as a sort of currency that is exchanged for people’s attention. This is something the church within the Caribbean has been slow to capitalize on. Lamentably, that means we are loosing market share in the economy of influence within the realms of connectivity that have been made possible through technology. Thus, we are missing major evangelistic opportunities. Current technological advances are such that a single church in the Caribbean could have global reach and influence without ever boarding a plane. In Luke 14:23 we find this profound admonition wrapped within a parable from Jesus to, “…Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” The word compel αναγκασον (anagkason), is the first aorist active imperative of ἀναγκάζω (anagkazō). This term means to necessitate, compel, drive to or constrain. This parable parallels the idea behind the great commission and is congruent with our understanding of influence. We can proclaim to local, regional and gospel highways and byways all at the same time with minimal cost. The power of technology in our time is such that you can fulfill this great commission, compelling (influencing) persons into the kingdom without observing the limitations of geographical space, language or time. There is even an point to be about good stewardship over the church’s mission and resources in there somewhere, but that is for another time.
At A Crossroad
As I write this the Church has come to another crossroad where we must confront the uncomfortable winds of change once again. As our local churches weather and emerge from the 2020 global pandemic, the old stumbling block of technology is now our saving grace. From live streams on Facebook of Sunday services to interactive small group zoom meetings, Technology has become more a friend than a foe. It is the Evangelist’s new “big tent” and social media is the new stage. This does not necessarily mean trading in the tambourines for twitter or your church fans for facebook. However, to merge and maximize technology and evangelism effectively, the church must learn to curate the currency of influence in these new digital spaces. Romans 10:14 asks ,”How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” That preacher may need to think out of the box and innovate to influence. We are truely called to influence how others think, feel, and act: getting them to accept a Christian point of view, follow our lead, join our cause, feel our excitement, and buy into our product, The Gospel. The 1920s saw the rise of Radio Evangelists. The 1950s saw the arrival of the televangelist. Both of which were revolutionary evangelism initiatives in their time. In the Same way, if the church is to grow past the events of 2020, we must embrace technology that will allow us to be a more effective missional entity. Evangelism must evolve in new and unique ways that intuitively respond to our changing global climate. Allowing technology to usher the church into a new era of evangelism and revival.
References
Influence. (2020). In Oxford Online Dictionary. Retrieved from https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/Influence
Mark, J. (2011). Writing. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Retrieve from https://www.ancient.eu/writing
Bacon, T. (2011). Elements of Influence: The Art of Getting Others to Follow Your Lead. AMACOM.
Heward-Mills, D.(2008). Anagkazo, Lux Verbi - BM.
Allen, M. (2019). Technological Influence on Society, Alvernia University.
Retrieve from: https://www.bctv.org/2019/11/07/technological-influence-on-society/
