Chapter 1 covered by Susan K. Stewart as part of our Group Blogging Project discussing the book Flickering Pixels by Shane Hipps. If you need a quick overview to what Flickering Pixels is about, please go here.
Christianity is fundamentaly a communication event.
This statement from the Introduction of Flickering Pixels by Shane Hipps not only was a light bulb for me, but it also illuminated what was to come as I began reading this book.
Chapter one, “Mr. No-Depth Perception,” begins with the tale of a man who has no depth perception and the trouble he gets into because of it. (Like knowing when to pull the ripcord on his parachute based solely on what he sees.) We, too, get into trouble because we don’t really understand what we see.
Hipps tells us that culture shapes our faith. Our culture is based on images (what we see) all around us. Words are giving way to pictures. Hipps uses the Nike swoop as an example of an of brand recognition without words. Stop to think how many other things we recognize solely on the image without words attached.
I wonder how many people see a spider web and think Internet.
Our all-knowing God was not caught be surprise at this world of images, and our lack of perception with these images. His second commandment, which I believe to be in order of importance, is not to have graven images. As Hipps states, “. . . God is concerned about the things we use to communicate and make meaning.”
If you’re like me, you didn’t think about the graven images as the technology we use to communication. Few Christian would build an altar and light candles to their television or computer. But, after even a short time of thinking, I have to admit that the technology can, and does, easily become an idol as we sit in front of it daily.
The medium becomes the message.
Like Mr. No-Depth Perception, we get into trouble because we see the technology (the medium) rather than the message. Technology can be a tool for communicating God’s message. But, do we sometimes only use the tool because it is there? Do we use the tool to impress the folks we’re trying to reach? Does the tool become the gospel?
I’m old enough to remember writing without a computer; speaking without a PowerPoint, and traveling without constant connection to the rest of the world. I’m challenging myself, and you, to reflect on what is good about not always using technology. I’m going to speak this upcoming weekend and leave my computer at home.
Will my message change because I won’t have technology? I certainly like to think it won’t. Will my audience hear it differently without the distraction of technology? That remains to be seen.
Consider: Are you using technology because it’s there (an idol)? Or, because it is the best way to communicate the message (a tool)?
[Image from Josef]
Paul Steinbrueck says
Susan, thanks for getting us started. I'd like to think I'm using technology because it's the best way to communicate, but I have to be honest that sometimes I choose certain mediums because…
a) I want to be a leading voice in the conversation about technology and ministry and to do that I have to try to be among the first to use each new communication technology.
b) Other people are using the medium and I feel like I need to use the medium or risk not connecting with them.
Phillip Gibb says
Will my message change because I won’t have technology?
The thing is – I have a message because of technology.
Not being a public speaker, or an extrovert or someone lead to lead in the manner where the spoken word is the main medium of communication; I have found that my passion to communicate thru the technologies that are in my reach.
They have given me a voice.
And yes I pay with time. But how much more than if I was preparing to communicate thru the so-called conventional means.
But I know what you mean when it comes to Church and providing environments to people based on technologies. The question is – is it a fad/gimmick that is used because it has 'always been used'?
Phill
Susan_Stewart says
Phil – Although we are all suppose to share the Gospel, we are not all called or gifted to be teachers or preachers.
There is a risk as a public speaker of becoming the message, just as there is with technology.
You are in a position to not just use technology to share the Message, but to show others that the medium is not the message.
Adam_S says
I think Phil is right. Teaching is not standing up and speaking. Standing up and speaking is one type of teaching. And technology introduces a type of teacher that doesn't exist without the technology. That is the same with the technological innovation of the book. The book introduced the type of teachers that is the writer. The writer is now a major role in the Christian world. Many writers often speak as well, but are often much better writers than speakers.
While I agree that the medium should not become the message, I think that the medium that we have ceases to think about is more often a problem, than the one that is new and exciting. Rarely is a new medium introduced without talking it through and trying to decide if it is appropriate to the message. But many old forms are used without any thought. When was the last time your church had a serious discussion about whether the sermon was the best medium to share the gospel? But most evangelism is oriented around getting people in a pew?
I am intentionally not reading ahead, but I have to say at this point I have found much more to argue with than agree with.
Graham Brenna says
A great reminder for sure. When twitter started… there was a lot of chatter on twitter about how awesome twitter was! (Preaching to the choir)… Sure technology is a great tool! But we need to be sure not to make the technology into a false idol. This is something I'm constantly struggling with each day as a tech director. I need to continually remind myself to take a step back and look at the big picture.
Great post Susan! 🙂
Phil cunningham says
Great recap of the chapter Susan. Wow, your going to teach and leave your computer at home! I remember this spring I was teaching at a YWAM campus and the didn't have access to a video projector for the evening session. It was killing me. I had to rely on me and the Holy Spirit to speak through me. I usually can work the evening over great with pictures, video and that, but to go old school and just stand there and have discussion was freaking me out. Well, I did it and it worked great. It helped me to see that technology is a help, but it also can be an excuse and a crutch, a bad crutch.
I pray that your time of speaking this week goes great and that the message is brought across just as effectively and powerfully as when you use technology.
Susan_Stewart says
Phil – Not only has reading the book prompted me to look more carefully at how I use tools, but so did a friend of mine. She shared an article that talked about PowerPoints becoming a crutch and often used by those who are confident in their message. Ouch!
I had to re-think what I was doing.
andydarnell says
Nice start to a very interesting topic. I recently had some discussions regarding use of YouTube as a means to publically host Bible Study videos. I was fully for opening the account and creating the channel, but I was opposed by someone who thought that YouTube was not an acceptable medium for the Word. My argument was that we could still cultivate the Word int that environment. I’m not expecting us to throw the seed out among the rocks and thorns and leave it to its own. I think we can put on our armor, get amongst the thorns and cultivate the ground… Do some green thumb weedin’ and tillin’ add some nutrients to the ground and let God grow the plant.
However, still being met with opposition to the idea.
We're both right on the issue. I believe it is a generational and cultural difference. I don't think it is a maturity issue. I believe God can use any medium to get His message out.
Susan_Stewart says
Andy – I hear ya, brother. I was hired a couple of years ago to be Web Content Manager for a non-profit ministry (is that redundant?). Originally, my job was to just write articles, etc to attract an audience. Later it turn into be webmaster (ugh).
I can't get these folks to even have a Yahoo group. It's been hard to convince them just because the website was built doesn't mean people will come. Even the programmer who is on the board doesn't get the medium of the Internet.
Frances Schaeffer once said the Christians need to take back the media, politics, and entertainment. I think he would say the same thing about the Internet. If Christians aren't there, who will be?
Jim says
Great post, good start.
dewde says
Thanks for setting the tone and pace for us, Susan. Good luck with your speaking event!
peace|dewde
Chris Gambill says
Great post and thoughts. I would venture to say, though, that often the line separating the two (technology as an idol or a tool) is very small. And perhaps, even unintentionally, even the best intentioned of us could easily find ourselves swinging between the two quite easily. A good thing to be conscious of and thinking about. Thanks.