As we look back on 2011, the “Arab Spring” stands testament to the power of social media. Facebook and Twitter, and other social media sites helped unite and focus a growing distaste for autocratic state power. The revolutions in Egypt and Libya, Syria and elsewhere were fostered and furthered by means of social media.
The Japanese tsunami and earthquake, also gave evidence to the speed of social media. Some were alerted to the earthquake via speedy social media — spreading faster than the earthquake and its deadly wave.
It seems we are living in a brave new world of social media. But it turns out that the power of social media isn’t really all that new. A recent article in The Economist reminds us that social media and its power to foster social revolutions is no new thing. In a fascinating article, “How Luther went viral: Five centuries before Facebook and the Arab spring, social media helped bring about the Reformation,” we are reminded that the printed pamphlet and the cartoon — both in their infancy as media in the early 1500s — were tools used to unite those discontented with the Roman papal system. Luther would have been silenced like so many other would-be reformers that preceded him, were it not for the rapid-fire spread of printed pamphlets and public sentiment in his favor.
Similarly, in our day, the last five to ten years has seen the internet, and blogging in particular, unite those discontented with the problems of Christian fundamentalism. No longer can pastors mold and shape their congregation’s opinion about anything without fear of having their facts checked by a quick Google search. The internet brings us closer to the world of ideas, and closer to other Christian communities too. No longer is John MacArthur some distant radio personality that our pastor warns us about — we can download his messages online and realize that his ministry isn’t as dangerous as our fundamentalist pastor has warned.
While social media can certainly be used for evil, and while the nature of social media can encourage sinful behaviors (gossip, hateful speech, and lack of discernment among many others), it nevertheless remains a powerful tool to be used for good. Just as Luther seized the opportunity provided him via the “social media” of his day, we Christians should take every opportunity to wield this new tool for the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom.
As I look forward to 2012, I hope to continue to expend some of my energies in this realm for the good of the Church next year and in the years to come. I’m also thankful for the many other exemplary Christian bloggers who have extended their influence into the this arena and are speaking truth to a watching world.
My sentiments exactly. Tweeted and liked it. I also like the new look! Happy New Year!
Thanks John.
Happy New Year to you and yours as well.
The Biblically ignorant, naive ones were “buffaloed” before the Internet and they will continue to be.
Jim, there are many lounatics who lament that they can’t control information anymore. They are a dying breed.
“No longer is John MacArthur some distant radio personality that our pastor warns us about — we can download his messages online and realize that his ministry isn’t as dangerous as our fundamentalist pastor has warned.”
On the other hand, the Internet has been a great blessing for those who have hitherto been unsure or misinformed about certain issues of theology. I am pleased to participate in the dissemination of information of interest to the Christian community.
Today, we can download John MacArthur’s messages in electronic and print form and verify from his own words that he does indeed believe, preach and defend a false, works based interpretation of the gospel known as Lordship Salvation. MacArthur’s corruption of the simplicity that is in Christ (<b<2 Cor. 11:3) is so clear and egregious that few believers need a trained pastor to recognize for them the dangerous teaching MacArthur and his followers have propagated in the NT Church.
LM
Lou, your site would easily fall under what Bob is talking about. Your witless rants demonstrate that you truly do not understand Lordship Salvation. Nathan Busenitz tried to help you. That is why you had to revise your self-published book.
My offer to help you still stands.
[…] Social Media, the Reformation, and the Power of Blogging - Similarly, in our day, the last five to ten years has seen the internet, and blogging in particular, unite those discontented with the problems of Christian fundamentalism. No longer can pastors mold and shape their congregation’s opinion about anything without fear of having their facts checked by a quick Google search. The internet brings us closer to the world of ideas, and closer to other Christian communities too. No longer is John MacArthur some distant radio personality that our pastor warns us about — we can download his messages online and realize that his ministry isn’t as dangerous as our fundamentalist pastor has warned. – Bob Hayton […]
Hey Bob, Very thankful to run across your blog. My story is incredibly similar to yours (graduate of BJU) – one of my former co-elders, Gil McConnell, is on staff at Bethlehem and I have benefited likewise from pastor John’s teaching.
My prayer is that God will use every form of social media to irreversibly challenge the man-centered theology many of our fundamental brethren seem to be stuck in. Oh for a Christ centered, joy filled pulpit ministry to the hurting souls in performance based Christianity!!
Check out my blog at https://www.churchonenow.com for the ministry I believe God has me doing – I think it’s a complement to what you are accomplishing by grace!
God be ever praised – keep up the good work! Jim Turner