Comments on: Your Time Is More Precious

By: TIm

TIm — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

I disagree with you for this reason: every sphere which Christians have either abandoned or created an all-Christian sector has been turned against us and we have had not way to defend ourselves from each particular area.

Movies
Music
TV
Journalism

These areas are only the most obvious examples. Withdrawing from the interactive web will have the same effect.

By: Christian

Christian — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

I didn’t say to withdraw or abandon the internet. And I also didn’t say that on-line ministries were futile (although I do sometimes question their impact, they aren’t the point of, nor a part of my article).

I would also have to say that the internet cannot be put into the same sphere of influence as those other media. Movies, tv, music, and journalism (all of which I might add are a part of the internet experience) all purposefully capture and create emotional interest by the audience in order to tell a story which makes a point (journalism less intensely so). These objects are carefully (at least the most powerful ones) crafted to achieve their goal. Many people also don’t think about what they are watching or listening to when it comes to music, tv, and movies. However, when such a person is scanning the internet looking for discussion or reading the thoughts of another, what they often see is raw, incomplete, not thought through, and void of the emotional and interpretive stimuli found in those other media. This is true for those millions of times a Christian tries to debate, argue against, preach to, convert, (whatever else) a non-Christian directly through written interaction. (Obviously this includes much of what happens on the internet, but the point is not about those other parts of the internet.)

By: Ann

Ann — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Ironically enough, my friend Emily helped bring a friend to Christ through the internet. Emily lives in Ohio, and the friend lived in Montana. They’d never met in real life but had a genuine relationship that started in a politically based chatroom. Though Emily’s internet friendship wasn’t the only contribution, it did help, and in the least a true friendship was started.

By: steve

steve — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

So basically, written words are largely incapable of bringing people to Christ?

The Bible is written.

God’s Spirit can and will convict through practically any medium.

I will say, though, that Christians should be both well informed and wise/cautious when debating and discussing things online or anywhere with unbelievers, though that essentially boils down to the fact that we should govern our tongues with wisdom at all times.

By: Christian

Christian — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

You read that into what I wrote. Ironically making my point for me. I never said that. Nor did I imply it. However, I could have taken more time on my article and articulated it better. Much like many of the things people write on the internet. I like your last comment though and it should be a part of the article.

By: Josh S

Josh S — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

I prefer to blog about Christianity with other Christians, the heretics.

By: steve

steve — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

I was given that impression by your comment, “However, when such a person is scanning the internet looking for discussion or reading the thoughts of another, what they often see is raw, incomplete, not thought through, and void of the emotional and interpretive stimuli found in those other media. This is true for those millions of times a Christian tries to debate, argue against, preach to, convert, (whatever else) a non-Christian directly through written interaction.”

So are you basically saying that Christians shouldn’t type stupid things? The only other conclusion that can be drawn from what you’ve said is that written words are vastly inferior to most other mediums.