Michael Horton wrote another one of his gems, “Would Jesus Have a Facebook Page?”, in the White Horse Inn blog. He cites a recent report written by Cathy Lynn Grossman, “Church Outreach Takes on a New Technical Touch,” in which she says:
Technology should ultimately be an enhancement, not a replacement, for gathering in person for worship, discussion, debate and service to others, Drew Goodmanson says. Goodmanson is chief executive officer of Monk Development, which helps churches use the Internet to fulfill their missions. He appreciates that “you can have a digital Bible in the palm of your hand or connect with others in prayer any time anywhere.” Nevertheless, Goodmanson says, “Jesus would not have a Facebook page. He wouldn’t be stopping in an Internet café to update his status.”
Horton argues that Christ and his church is not a virtual community, but one that has real people gathering in real places, worshipping and discussing, weeping and laughing, meeting and planning together, and sharing and communing together in the sacraments. The church is not done through Google, Skype, or Facebook. Horton continues:
Jesus doesn’t have a Facebook page. He doesn’t “friend” and “unfriend” at the click of a button. He doesn’t offer anonymous advice. Although of him it could be uniquely said that he is unique, he is not obsessed with expressing his uniqueness but delights in forming a fellowship of forgiven sinners around his hard-won victory.
Facebook Seminary
It is not only the gathering of the church that cannot be done in “the cloud.” Theological education, as well, is not a virtual affair, in which one reads books, makes “friends” in Facebook, and participates in online theological discussions with these “friends.” Who knows who these “friends” are? Are they members in good standing of a church? If so, what kind of church? What views do they hold? What books are they reading? I was once a member of a Filipino pastors’ group, but it turned out to be an eclectic group of liberals, Pentecostals, mystics, and self-proclaimed wannabes.
So often, these Facebook Seminary classes formulate their doctrines by consensus, not unlike how “Bible studies” come to conclusions by committee, often a committee of the uninformed. Some often come up with “new insights,” but “new insights” are almost always recycled heresies.
Not saying that Internet technology is all bad. But even with all of its benefits, be also forewarned of its many dangers.
5 thoughts on “What Would Jesus Do . . . With Facebook?”
Any moment our God is with us. He does not need to click on bottons. Just by a word he can write on walls lik also on the facebook-wall. But he is the one that prefairs to come to the rooms of people sitting with facebook to help them in their lifes. Facebook can be used for positive same like for negative. I have never unclicked a friend. It is like in life. The devil does not support Jesus and all positive things or talks longtime. And less when it has to do with God. Occasionally I saw the comment of a woman that is not my friend there. She wrote that my tag about God is good but she is near to lose the faith. It was very late. I was too tired and my mind not good working to find the right words. I started something and broke up. I copied it on word to send it on private messages the next moring when I am clear to check it first. I just sent here some word to show here she is not alone and I appreciate her having the courage to tell her truth about her doubts. When I woke up to do what I had planned I checked again that tag. It was like a miracle. Two of my friends had read her comment too and asked her friendship directly. I sent her the message then. Means God made two of my friends also see and we helped him/her to get strong again through our own belief. That is what can happen on facebook.God bless all my friends on facebook. God is with us everywhere. But not in carnal way…
Jesus doesn’t have a Facebook page. He doesn’t “friend†and “unfriend†at the click of a button. He doesn’t offer anonymous advice. I was once a member of a Filipino pastors’ group, but it turned out to be an eclectic group of liberals, Pentecostals, mystics, and self-proclaimed wannabes.
But the important thing to remember is although He doesn’t have a Facebook page He have Lifebook for His own. Any member of a group on earth should tremble when their name is not on the list!
Nollie, I am starting to understand what you say. I tried debating and Filipinos can really get angry and emotional when confronted with different worldview or Theologal position new to them.Quite different from Americans. I posted in a public forum and all my postings were deleted. I experience that with Filipinos.It is harder.
@[1505816617:2048:Arlene Truax] Just today, I posted a comment about a video of a woman who said she came back from hell and heaven, and how Christians are deceived into garbage like these. A few minutes later, the post and my comment were gone.
Comments are closed.