Oct 02 2019 33 mins
Todays world is a laboratory for experimenting with all types of new media, and we are all creating our own ways of adopting technologies as they develop. It is not dramatic to say that these digital technologies and especially the ones we use on our computers, smartphones, and tablets we use every day, summed in the simple word app, are changing what it means to function as humans. Apps on our electronic devices have certainly made communication faster and access to information easier but we are bombarded by this information and notifications about more information almost every waking moment or at least every moment we look at and interact with our devices. However, the Christian walk requires stopping and asking ourselves, What does this do to my soul? Because we are still learning how these apps are changing our culture for better and worse, it is up to us to evaluate our own interactions with new technologies and examine what is leading us to be more alive and able to live our callings, or what is pulling us away from the very things that make us human. The Christian life by its very nature requires stillness, contemplation, thought, and study. A life dominated by digital interaction does not foster the pursuit of spiritual disciplines or face to face community in the local church. This episode is a conversation about technology and why Christians should consider the practice of taking digital sabbaths or intentional time away from our devices. This Postmodern Realities episode is a conversation with Journal author Rachel Ollivant about her article in the 42:2 Journal Seeking Spiritual Solace in a Daze of Digital Distraction https://www.equip.org/christian-research-journal/loving-god-and-others-in-the-midst-of-suffering/. Subscribe in Fall 2019 and recieve this as your first issue. https://www.equip.org/product/crj-subscription/ When you to subscribe to the Journal, you join the team of print subscribers whose paid subscriptions help provide the resources at equip.org that minister to people worldwide. These resources include our free online exclusive articles, such as this review, as well as our free Postmodern Realities podcast. Another way you can support keeping our resources free is by leaving us a tip. A tip is just a small amount, like $3 or $5, which is the cost for some of a latte, lunch out, or coffee drink. To leave a tip, click here.https://www.equip.org/product/pmr-jnl-tip/ Related articles and podcasts: Episode 074: Authentic Community in the Age of Social Media The Virtualization of Culture and the Need for an Embodied Christian Alternative The Graven Images of Social Media Episode 009: The Graven Images of Social Media Episode 098 Virtual Violence, Video Game Addiction, and the Kingdom of God Can God Fit in This Machine? Video Games and Christians Episode 077: Video Gaming, Kids and Addiction Episode 128 Summer Vacation, Kids, and Video Games: Better Alternatives to Fortnite Summer Vacation, Kids, and Video Games: Better Alternatives to Fortnite An Ethic of Instagram What Price Cyberspace? Understanding Social Media Is It Impossible to Redeem Electronic Media? The New Dark Ages: How Electronic Media Are Pulling Us Back to Barbarism Do not miss an episode; please subscribe to the Postmodern Realities podcast wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Please help spread the word about Postmodern Realities by giving us a rating and review when you subscribe to the podcast. The more ratings and reviews we have, the more new listeners can discover our content. Itunes Spreaker Google Podcasts Player FM Podbean Also available on the following Smart Speakers. Ask them to play Postmodern Realities podcast. Alexa (Amazon) Google Assistant Siri (Apple)