Today is a short post.
The Bible study I am a part of has recently started reading the book Radical by David Platt. So far it has been very interesting. The discussions have only moved us through chapter two, but I see where Platt is going, and I like it. Last night one of the biggest discussions was churches use of technology. In particular, whether or not it helps or hinders our worship. I found this a difficult question to answer. But best I can think here is where I am at:
Technology is not intrinsically bad. In fact, it was created by God, so it is good. We (humans) have a knack for twisting a perverting God's glorious creation. With that being said I believe technology to be a catalyst to worship. A feeding stream, if you will, into the river which is full worship of God. Technology can be used for good if it is not distracting and actually helps the worshiper worship. It is bad if it becomes all about the technology and less and less about the God we are there to worship. Also, when I look at Jesus' sermons it seems that he usually set the stage to teach; i.e. feeding the 5,000 or healing a sick man. His follow-up is crucial though. As soon as he had done a miracle or attracted the people he taught unhindered, unashamed truth. So, best as I can figure, if technology is used in a way to bring people to a place where they can hear sound Biblical truth, then it is good.
I am curious what the select few people that read this have to say. Shoot me a facebook message or comment here if you have time.
Our sermon this Sunday had to do with celebrating and worshiping. Francis directed us to several passages. One was in Revelation 4. It's pretty extravagant in heaven ... a rainbow encircles the throne, flashes of lightning and peals of thunder come from the throne, and before the throne are seven blazing lamps. Then there are the creatures surrounding the throne. I think it's all about who our audience is, and it should be an audience of One. The method doesn't matter as long as we are worshiping Him. Having said all that, as humans who are not yet in heaven, I do think we have a problem of being distracted. Or at least I do! I'm not sure it's technology that distracts me so much, though, as it is my own mind and its wanderings!
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