Discipleship in the Digital Age

        With the increase in new technology allowing quick and constant interactions with anyone at any time, it is easy to believe that it is easy to connect with people. Social media has in many ways assisted in cultivating relationships, but many Christians disagree on its role and purpose in our lives. Some believe we need to remain separate from social media while others assert it is a vital aspect of discipleship. Adam Thomas discusses this conflict in his book Digital Disciple. As the title suggests, it is possible to use technology to advance God’s kingdom, but there is importance in both virtual and face-to-face discipleship.

        The Tech (a term Thomas uses to refer to the Internet and other technological advances in the last fifty years) represents the intersection of two opposing forces: connection and isolation. By living in a more connected world, the temptation to become isolated is stronger than ever before. Our identity as social beings is dramatically altered. Whether we like it or not or whether we recognize it or not, we are all connected to one another. Our natural impulse is to gather, but now many people are learning to repress that in order to live an isolated life. Rather than interacting with people occupying the same space as us, we interact with people through technology. This is seen at hangouts, where people go off by themselves to text, instead of participating with the people around them. We have the tendency to outsource our minds and bodies to the Tech. Instead of memorizing Scripture, we take for granted that our smart phones can instantly bring up verses. We ignore the call to hide God’s Word in our hearts because it is stored in the memory of our phones. Instead of going to meet someone, we hide behind our phones and computers and message them from the privacy of our homes.

        Thomas differentiated between connection and communion. He says, “Connection happens when two or three gathers. But connection turns to communion when, as Jesus says, ‘two or three are gathered in my name, I’m there with them’ (Matthew 18:20).” It can be argued that in some churches, communion is stronger than connection. People can come together and pray and worship, yet ignore the fellowship aspect of being a Christ-follower. Connections are becoming more superficial and transient as we focus more on what we like, rather than who we are. Instead of simply being friends on Facebook, we need to recognize that we are all children of God and act as such. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we need to learn how to love each other in deeper ways.

        The label of being friends through social media is deceptively reassuring. We believe that we are connected, but we really lose authenticity, accountability, and love. This is not to say that the Tech is void of love, but it makes it more of a challenge to love. As Christians, we should neither shun nor become obsessed with social media. The right balance must be found, where reality and technology complement and enhance each other. After all, Christ came to earth as a flesh-and-blood person, living, breathing, and experiencing the world through his senses. Jesus no longer has his physical body, but we are now the body of Christ. As such, we need to live in our bodies, not losing ourselves in a virtual world. As Christians, we represent Christ to the world whether it is through the Tech or in person, so whatever we do needs to be overflowing with the Holy Spirit.