week 7-8 responds
arnita
week7-8responds.docxToney Cox
Digital Faith Formation
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Christian formation is both ecological and communal. Believers cannot grow in isolation, and the Bible never indicates that Christians are to approach maturity in Christ in the individual manner. Going farther this week, however, we can see that there are different aspects of the process.
First, I suggest that the strongest and most biblically comprehensive form of communal maturity happens in face to face settings. In other words, nothing surpasses the physical gathering of the church for interconnected learning and maturity. Petitt affirms this claim, “Scripture is clear that the reason the church, specifically the use of spiritual gifts, is essential in the life of each believer is so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Petitt, 2008, p. 158). In the same vein, Samra agrees that maturation takes place in a communal fashion by believers imitating other mature believers, “Paul believes that imitating more mature believers is a means to being conformed to the image of Christ (Samra, 2008 p.125). There are multiple aspects of these examples that require a face to face setting.
Secondly, maturity can transpire interpersonally through digital means. For instance, live small groups through platforms such as Zoom can allow people to talk, teach, and share inspiriting stories for maturation purposes. Livestream services through digital technology can allow for this as well. Digital technology is helpful and a blessing.
However, while digital technology allows for a maturation opportunity, I suggest that this is a lessor form than face to face. Speaking of digital technology and interpersonal maturation authors Campbell and Garner state, “[While] the ability to interact and exchange ideas with people from different parts of the world from a shared-faith perspective can transform, studies have found that while online communities encourage new ways of gathering and new social behaviors they generally serve as a supplement, not a substitute, for offline church involvement” (Campbell & Garner, 2016, p. 66).
Zoom and Skype are genius tools to connect people where distance is a challenge. While I argue it is not as effective as in person, the key to making digital maturation effective is in connection. Authors Lowe and Lowe agree, “By online community, we mean relatively stable, long-term online group associations mediated by the Internet or a similar network” (Lowe & Lowe, 2018, p. 69). So, for digital maturation to happen it requires strong connectivity and a two-way platform.
References
Campbell, H., Garner, S. (2016). Engaging culture: Networked theology: Negotiating faith in
digital culture. Baker Academic. https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com
Lowe, S., Lowe, M. (2018). Ecologies of faith in a digital age: Spiritual growth
through online education. Intervarsity Press.
Pettit, P. 2008. Foundations of spiritual formation. Kregel Publications.
Samra, J. (2008). Being conformed to Christ in community: A study of maturity, maturation
and the local church in the undisputed Pauline epistles. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/liberty/detail.action?docID=743114
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Vernell Adams
DB 4: The Digital Age
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It is said many times as a cliché that God cannot be put into a box or limited in the ways that He would reach people with the gospel. In the early church days, the people only had the Latin vulgate text of scripture aside from the original languages in Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic. However, in that time, God working through men made scripture available in all languages. Since then the Lord has not ceased in ways to reach many with the gospel of truth. Today there is the emergence of online ministry; it has proven to be just as effective as in person services because many tuned in right from home or read their bibles and do devotional from their phones. Many church leaders feel reluctant to this continuous progression. However, while it should never take away from the person to person contact in doing life together, it should not be dismissed but rather welcome as another additional resource to aide believers in their walk with God and draw the lost in. “Christians have adopted the internet for a variety of purposes and religious ends and creating a presence online has become a vital way to connect spiritual seekers in digital culture” (Campbell, 2018).
Just like small groups give context to helping believers to grow in their relationship with other believers, online ministry creates the same affect. Real life change happens in the context of groups; whether it be a small group, online group or group in a bible app, it further creates multiple avenues for the fellowship of the saints and development of their relationship with God. “Paul appears to believe that the more his readers associate themselves with Christ, or define themselves in relation to Christ and with the community of believers in Christ, the more their character will be conformed to the character of Christ” (Samra, 2008).
While many leaders have concerns that are valid on some points, rather than totally shun the changes such as the heightened growth of technology and its impact on believers, we should embrace it and continue to use it and all other platforms to connect the body of Christ and evangelize to the non-believer. This has proven itself more than ever in light of the pandemic our country now faces. The body of Christ has been able to remain connected, encourage one another, and people are growing spiritually through online resources. Churches who had previously embraced and adapted to online presence are seeing even more impact and those who had previously not are now having to catch up to remain connected with their members. God in His divine wisdom is aware of the need before we will ever be, so therefore rather than allow our preferences to detour us, we should always be seeking to be in tune with His Spirit and new ways He reaches His children.
Bibliography
Heidi A Campbell (2018). (p. 64). Engaging Culture: Networked Theology: Negotiating Faith in Digital Culture. Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com
Samra, J. G. (2008). Being conformed to christ in community : A study of maturity, maturation and the local church in the undisputed pauline epistles. ProQuest Ebook Central https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu
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