The Christian’s Approach to Technology Use: to Avoid or to Engage?

by Jessica Ford

Over the past two decades, the foundation of the church and the spiritual formation of the believer have experienced drastic shifts due to the increasing prevalence of technology in society today. The advancements of technology that are now unavoidably present, if not believed to be necessary, for successful communication within the church and for the individual have allowed for greater access to resources and further capacity for connection among church communities. However, technology has also been perceived to have negative effects on the church, and the individual Christ-follower his/herself. In order to effectively build the church, one must first be built up independently with the Lord, thus the two go hand in hand. By understanding in the same sense that we simply undergo spiritual formation, not in order to gain intimacy in our relationship with God, but as a result of the Cross, frees us from the condemnation that our own imperfect works or approaches to worldly things is what ultimately grants us access to intimacy with God. This must be followed by understanding the significance of the intentions, or motives, of one’s heart, and this is especially important in one’s approach to engaging, or disengaging with technology.

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For the purposes of this study, technology regarding the Internet, Social Media, film, mobile devices, and other forms of technology will be included. Spiritual formation is considerably the ongoing process of an individual in their understanding and relationship with God. This is supported heavily by Jeffrey P. Greenman, President and Professor of Theology and Ethics at Regent College (2010), in his definition of spiritual formation. “Spiritual formation is our continuing response to the reality of God’s grace shaping us into the likeness of Jesus Christ, through the work of the Holy Spirit, in the community of faith, for the sake of the world” (p. 24). Gathering insight from pre-existing literature regarding technology’s effect on spiritual formation within the Christian church supports the perspective that technology is beneficial when used wisely, though it may be a hindrance as it distracts and lacks essential face to face components of communication. The findings of this research support the argument that Brian McLaren (2007), an American pastor, author and speaker, makes on the use of technology in ministry, that if used carefully and thoughtfully it is beneficial.

Spiritual Formation

To the Christ follower, what it means to experience spiritual formation is far different than other religions. Spiritual formation as a Christian is essentially the process of sanctification (becoming like Jesus) through the means of a relationship, rather than works, and it is an ongoing process. Once one has experienced salvation, or the act of being reborn through belief in Jesus Christ in the spirit rather than the flesh, there are many different aspects that contribute to one’s spiritual formation.

As previously stated, Greenman (2010) defines spiritual formation as, “our continuing response to the reality of God’s grace shaping us into the likeness of Jesus Christ, through the work of the Holy Spirit, in the community of faith, for the sake of the world” (p. 24). Understanding that our spiritual formation is not produced by our own works but rather the Holy Spirit in us, surrounding ourselves by like-minded believers, and assigning a purpose to our faith that is far bigger than our own personal acceptance into heaven are all key components to spiritual formation as the Bible would define it to be. Greenman goes on to state, “faith in Jesus Christ sustains a lifelong pursuit of spiritual maturity or wholeness found in him. Despite the pressures of our activist, hurried culture, this process cannot be reduced to learning personal management techniques or how to ‘do things for the Lord’ because it is primarily a matter of cultivating an intimate relationship with the triune God” (p. 24). Spiritual growth is a result of intimacy in relationship rather than of striving to please God. These are two very different approaches, one of which bears fruit, and one that ultimately is rooted in our worldly and self-reliant previous (pre-salvation) nature.

In order to know someone truly, it is common knowledge to people of all cultures and backgrounds, that one must spend time with that person. This is true of the Christian who is aiming to maintain a relationship with God. In a world full of distractions, it is extremely important, and challenging, for the Christian to remove themselves from the constant buzz of the world that is conveniently available at their fingertips through a mobile device or screen. Dallas Willard from the University of Southern California (1998) states, “the primary freedom we have is always the choice of where we will place our minds. That freedom is enhanced by the practice of solitude, silence and fasting. We can then effectively fill our minds with the word of God, preserved in the Scriptures” (p. 108).

Willard goes on to add further thought on the definition of spiritual formation. Willard (1998) suggests, “Spiritual formation, as commonly referred to now, is a matter of reforming the broken soul of humanity in a recovery from its alienation from God. Really, it is soul reformation. The spirit in humanity is not the soul, but is the central part of the soul, the power of self-determination. It is the heart or will: the power, embedded in the soul, of choosing. It is that in the human being which must above all be restructured” (p. 108).

Social Media

The rise of social media as an integrative component to society today has caused extreme changes, both positive and negative, to everyday life among the majority of people across the globe. The nature of social media is ever-evolving, and its prevalence as some of the most commonly addressed forms of technology used by people today is undeniable. An individual who does not use social media regularly is considered an outlier, as social media via the internet is the very medium through which individuals communicate and gain immediate access to new and old information. “Social Media represents a communication model in which a diverse range of users produce and share information, proving themselves to be an increasingly important part of the internet” (Gálvez, 2019, p. 62). Social media platforms are multi-faceted, serving various purposes with many functions available to organizations, communities, and individuals. In a journal published by the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, the foundation of social media was said to include seven functional building blocks: identity, conversations, sharing, presence, relationships, reputation, and groups (Kietzmann et. al, 2011). Social media’s unique nature has shifted communication in many ways, and society has seen extreme effects as a result of the increasing prevalence of this form of technology specifically.

Technology Effects on Spiritual Formation

A study done on churches in the metro-Atlanta area demonstrated various aspects of the technology use incorporated by pastors in both their daily lives and leadership roles within the church. A potentially obvious mention incorporated in this study, is that overall pastors enjoy using technology for their own research and studies done when preparing messages and teachings. Technology has provided far more resources for Biblical education and study, and pastors have benefited greatly from this. The study goes on to address the pastors use of technology in their more private devotion and pursuit of God, and the findings support that though some pastors may be able to do their personal Bible reading on their phones or through the means of an electronic Bible, the majority preferred to read the hard copy Bible. “While some mentioned reading online comfortably, others preferred to read from their physical Bibles. For some this was not just a matter of simply finding it hard to read on screen, but also more a matter of the overall experience of private reflection. According to these individuals, the computer, even a laptop, did not fit into the spiritual experience of Bible reading and reflection“ (Wyche et al., 2006, p. 203).

Part of spiritual formation, or growing in relationship with God, is intentional time reading the Bible, or Word of God. Those who oppose the use of technology, specifically social media, from a Christian standpoint, would argue the findings of a quantitative study done by surveying various Baptist-affiliate Christian believers. “There was also a difference between Facebook users and nonusers in their own personal Bible reading, although not in a positive way. Using a 3-point Likert statement with 1 being I read the Bible once in a while and 3 being I read the Bible at least once every day, those who used Facebook read the Bible less often than those who did not have a Facebook account (p < .038)” (Richardson & Pardun, 2015).

Technology within the Church

In recent years, the increasing prevalence of technology within society has shifted nearly everything we do. This is true within the church community as well, and has had significant effects on the spiritual formation of Christ followers. Whether it be perceived as a weapon for distraction from holy moments and atmospheres, to a tool of accessibility for resources and enhancement, technology has a wide variety of impacts on the Christian believer’s experience as they grow in their relationship with God. “In Nigeria, more and more young people are turning to the internet to find personal, social and religious information and ecclesiastical institutions are devoting more and more resources to improving their presence on the web. In a world where every day we become more interconnected, the global visibility of churches is clearly linked to their commitment to the worldwide web” (Bolu, 2011, p. 80). In regards to evangelism, the internet has been one of the most effective means of communication, that has provided accessibility to the Gospel for those who would not have access to it through everyday encounters with Christ-followers or a church presence. The National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Ayo Oritsejafor (2011), states, “the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ is that we should take the gospel to the end of the earth through various evangelistic activities. The Internet has proved to be one of the most efficient and reliable means of communicating globally with little or no restrictions, which Christians cannot ignore” (Bolu, 2011).

Through research done by Covenant University in Nigeria, four myths regarding the Church’s perspective on the internet were found. These commonly believed myths include, “churches will not reach people on the internet, the church does not have enough money or human resources for Internet evangelism, the internet is all hype and not missionary in nature, and the internet is the devils playground which churches should stay out of” (Bolu, 2012, p. 84).

Another idea regarding the projection of one’s personal image through the lens of a screen is addressed by McLaren (2007), “The preacher seen via projection or download is ‘with us,’ but only in an abstract sense. Projection is a fascinating word, especially when contrasted with incarnation. I imagine the first chapter of the fourth gospel reading, ‘the Word was projected into our world to be observed among us,’ and I wonder what difference it would have made… One difference: you can’t crucify a digital image. And that, to me, is one of the great amputations that comes from ‘virtual presence’ or ‘projected presence’ replacing incarnational presence.”

Within the church building itself, during weekly gatherings and services, the use of cell phones and other forms of technology have presented new conveniences and distractions. One of these challenges, likely to be perceived as the most challenging distraction, is addressed by Stake President, Kevin Curtis, of the Provo Utah YSA 7th Stake in his interview with reporter Ryan Hernandez. On the use of cell phones used during services, Curtis states, “I believe when it is used right, it can be a blessing. But I think there is a blurred line between appropriate use and inappropriate use. I see often in church meetings people distracted because of their inability to control the use of that medium” (cited in Hernandez, 2017).

However, there are specific benefits to technology that Curtis supports as well, and mentions in his interview with Hernandez (2017), “even with missionaries now with the electronic devices in the field, part of that is to train them on how to handle the technology and be efficient with that blessing we have been given to enhance our gospel study.” Taking into account the benefits of communication from missionaries to their home nations/churches is something that we must acknowledge in the analysis of the beneficial opportunities technology has presented.

Interpretation

Present day technology is impossible to avoid altogether. We are constantly surrounded by intake of media, whether it be through a screen at a restaurant, a radio in a car, and the TVs and smartphones in predominantly every American household. However, the individual does have a choice in whether they will choose to personally engage with technology or not. As Christians, our standard that prioritizes godliness above all sets us apart from what may appear as blameless to the world. Throughout Scripture, we see idolatry as the constant trap that humanity falls into, leading them astray from right standing with God. It is extremely easy to fall into the trap of spending more time engaging with information via technology, which would ultimately lead to technology addiction, or what may also be considered idolatry. If one is reliant on technology more than they are on God, this may be perceived as idolatry. Brian Rosner (1999) states, “In one sense idolatry is the diagnosis of the human condition to which the gospel is the cure. At root, the problem with humans is not horizontal ‘social’ problems (like sexual immorality and greed), but rebellion against and replacement of the true and living God with gods that fail (which leads to these destructive sins)” (p. 29). It is not technology in and of itself that is definitively good or evil, it is the motives behind the man who chooses to engage with or to avoid technology use that holds the power to define it for himself.

However, there is one thing that we must remember: to each his/her own. Every individual has different struggles, different intentions, and different convictions. Technology use is an exemplary concept that may vary in approach according to the individual Christian as a response to their own personal convictions with what is, and what isn’t growing them in their spiritual formation, church experience, and overall relationship with God. This is found in Scripture as James 4:17 states, “whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (ESV). To one person, social media may be an influence that leads to sinful desires or selfish gain; however, to the other, it may be perceived as a tool for ministry. What man may perceive as wrong or right, the Lord may see with a different lense. This is supported by 1 Samuel 16:7, “for the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart” (ESV). In response to the word of God and the overwhelming presence of technology as a seemingly “essential” part of society today, people must make their own decision dependent on their own convictions in their relationship with God. What will either encourage or hinder one’s spiritual formation should be the basis upon which technology use is approached. Galatians 2:16 states, “nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified” (ESV). Now that all of humanity is free from working to receive the love of God through the decisions we make, we may move forward in empowerment that Jesus is worthy of our every pure motive. May we, as children of God, prayerfully wrestle with our intentions before only God who sees, and engage, or disengage, with technology with Psalm 139:23–24 as our utmost approach. “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” Understanding the reality of the spiritual war at hand, we must use technology wisely in order to stand strong. Whether technology is a tool of accessibility to partner with God in advancing His kingdom, or a weapon of the enemy to distract and lead God’s army astray, depends upon the motives of the soldier and their heart before their ultimate hero. As Christians our motives are the basis upon which we approach all that we do, and this is especially true of our technology use. Though each Christ-follower has convictions of their own regarding engagement with technology, we are ultimately empowered to align our freedoms with a victory that has already been won.