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Upstream

Christianity After Social Media | Samuel James

Jan 18, 2023
Samuel James, Crossway editor and writer, discusses the negative impact of social media on Christianity, highlighting the tribalism and superficiality it has bred. He explores the blurring of public and private in the internet age and the harmful effects of online affirmation. The podcast also delves into the transformative impact of social media on theology and the importance of investing in institutions and inventions. It ends with a discussion on the redeeming aspect of small affinity groups on platforms like Facebook and the need to separate theology from the digital world.
01:00:18

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Technology has shifted online Christian discussions from historic doctrines to political preferences, diminishing the emphasis on theological concepts like predestination and divine sovereignty.
  • Digital technology, particularly social media, shapes our engagement with theology, influencing our behaviors, thoughts, and relationships, while also promoting shallow reading and negative emotions in theological discussions.

Deep dives

The changing focus of online Christian debates

Online Christian discussions have shifted from historic doctrines to political preferences, with less emphasis on theological concepts such as predestination and divine sovereignty. This change has been facilitated by the influence of social media and the internet, which have become the primary platforms for these debates. The internet has transformed from a tool to an ambience, shaping the way we interact with one another and influencing the way we learn and communicate theology. The temptation to perform and present a specific image on social media has also affected the way theological discourse takes place. As social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter face decline, a smaller, more focused internet is emerging with people forming smaller affinity groups and seeking more organic discussions. Reevaluating the impact of digital technology on theology is essential to ensure that our theological beliefs are not solely dependent on the online environment.

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