Exploring how the Internet has shaped individuals into digital disciples, seeking immediate answers and guidance. Reflecting on the erosion of faith and the struggle to discern truth. Discussing the impact of online resources on daily life and health management in the digital era.
Our reliance on the internet has eroded our faith by shaping us to seek immediate answers, leading to frustration when seeking God's responses and a loss of confidence in truth.
The constant influx of contradictory information online has made us skeptical pragmatists, challenging our ability to believe or trust and causing weariness and skepticism.
Deep dives
Impact of Internet Discipleship on Faith and Belief
Being disciples of the internet has unknowingly eroded our faith, leaving us weary and skeptical. The immediacy and contradictory nature of online information have shaped our souls, making us seek quick answers and eroding our confidence in what is true. This erosion affects our spiritual lives, causing frustration when seeking God's responses and leading to a loss of confidence in knowing the truth.
Challenges of Expecting Immediate Answers
Our reliance on the internet has programmed us to expect immediate answers, causing frustration when faced with spiritual ambiguity or delayed responses from God. The internet's fast-paced nature has shaped our souls to seek quick solutions, impacting our faith by creating impatience and doubt when answers are not readily available.
Struggle with Contradictory Information
The constant influx of contradictory information online has made us skeptical pragmatists, unsure of what to believe or trust. The internet's ever-changing data and conflicting advice lead to weariness and skepticism, challenging our ability to hold firm beliefs or find truth in a sea of contradicting content.
Erosion of Mystery and Wonder in Faith
The internet's emphasis on immediate answers has stripped away the mystery and wonder essential to faith. Our ancestors in faith valued mystery as integral to their relationship with God, while the internet's quest for omniscience diminishes the beauty and power of faith. Reclaiming the mystery and wonder in our spiritual journey is crucial for restoring faith and belief.
John, Alex, and Allen begin this new series with a disruptive observation: We are all disciples of the Internet and it has shaped us profoundly. For one thing, the Internet has discipled our souls to anticipate, even demand, immediate answers. So when we ask God a question and are not answered in the way the Internet does, we feel he isn't listening. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. The effects go far, far deeper.