For weeks now, a torrent of digital media has rocketed onto the national stage a discussion about a book expressing a well-known pastor’s views on heaven and hell.
It has resulted in a debate among evangelical leaders that has been covered by The New York Times, CNN, USA Today and MSNBC.
A website published this chronology of the controversy.
A number of influential leaders, thinkers, pastors and theologians have taken up the matter.
I’ll leave the heavy lifting on the theological issues raised in the book to those very smart folks.
I want to look briefly at the role of the Internet in this and other discussions about religion.
Biblical Christianity is now being discussed and debated on the Internet all the time.
I would imagine that religion is second only to politics as a hot topic on blog posts, online videos, websites and social media.
Debates take place on the Internet every day. Like this one: “Is Christianity Good for the World?” the Christopher Hitchens and Douglas Wilson debate.
Considering the historic days we’re living in, with disasters and wars erupting, the discussions are likely to broaden and intensify as people everywhere search for spiritual meaning.
Truth matters on the Internet too. Thoughts on biblical topics, that might otherwise never see the light of day, get wide distribution. They do not have to be accurate.
Why should that matter?
Do a search on questions like: Is there only one true God? Is Jesus Christ God’s Son? Does the Bible contain errors and contradictions? You might be surprised by two things. First, the staggering number of results, 7.5 million results on the question about there being only one God. Second, and more noteworthy, the people answering the questions are not always right.
How does an innocent seeker of truth know who to trust?
It is encouraging to see Christian leaders coming online to defend the way, the truth and the life. At times theological controversies can get shrugged off as a conflict of personalities. But sometimes, as one pastor noted, “The disagreement is less about the men or women involved and more about the truth.”
The Internet is playing an increasingly critical role in communicating the gospel. As access becomes more mobile, multi-platform, faster and with richer media – ever on and everywhere – the need and demand for broadcasting sound biblical discussion on Internet media platforms will become even more critical.
The spiritual well being of Digital Natives (ages 16-24) will depend on it – 75 per cent said that they couldn’t live without the Internet, and 45 per cent said that they felt happiest when online, according to this report.
I wonder what effect the ease of finding feel good spirituality online has on those numbers?
Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, I have five brothers … warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’
Luke 16:27-28
A loving God created the most powerful communication platform ever, at the perfect time. “God made the earth and everything in it.”
We are racing toward an ever more connected and immediate world. Among all the other ways the Internet is changing the world, it is no coincidence that it is also making it possible for the whole world to hear the gospel.
It is the responsibility of Christians everywhere to be sufficiently organized online to make sure they get the opportunity. If our hearts break for the lost I have confidence we will.
The Internet conversations about spiritual things are just getting started. This most recent debate should inspire us to intensify our prayers, increase our evangelistic efforts, and be unashamed to proclaim online the good news about Christ, “The power of God at work, saving everyone who believes.”
For all who desire to receive God’s saving grace, the Bible says, “Come!” For examples of how the Internet is being used to deliver this message visit this site or you can watch these videos.