Being A Christian During the Age of the Internet BY Mary York for Core Christianity
In 2010, Egyptian activists took to Facebook to challenge the police brutality of their state. The online movement quickly grew into a real-life rallying point for Egyptians frustrated with corruption and economic decline. We know it as the Arab Spring.
To say that the internet has changed the world is almost an understatement. It has affected nearly every facet of life in the western world—from how we consume art and entertainment, to how we communicate, educate, and conduct business, to the very basics of maintaining interpersonal relationships with family and friends.
Perhaps this more globalized world can feel frustrating or even overwhelming. When Christians face persecution in Nigeria, we hear about it immediately. In the same day, we might also hear about acts of terrorism in Europe, protests that become riots across the country, and school shootings in our own backyard. So many days, our Facebook feeds are filled with friends’ testimonies about miscarriage, divorce, sickness, and untimely death, while Instagram is flush with pictures of someone else’s new car or house. Twitter runs quickly with sharp words and hateful comments, and our news outlet of choice seems rampant with misinformation, bias, and vitriol.
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The informational input our minds receive every day is extraordinary—far different from the days of king David where they would wait atop the watch towers for a runner to come from battle to give them news (2 Sam. 18:24–25).
This begs a question: How do Christians engage in this brave new world in a manner that’s worthy of the calling we’ve received?
Seek Truth
As a journalist, I spent a lot of time on Snopes.com and similar sites, hoping to get to the source of news, viral videos, and even advertisements to discern between reality and scams. It’s easier and quicker to press “share” rather than take the time to double-check facts or verify rumors online. But we’re called to be people who seek truth.
