The Christian and the Internet

It is 11:15 p.m. Dena and I are discussing our upcoming trip out to west Texas to see her brother. Suddenly one of us wonders if we could get over to Carlsbad Caverns and take the girls through the caves. But will Carlsbad be open on Memorial Day, and if so, how long does the tour take and how much does it cost? Five minutes later my mouse is clicking through the National Parks Service website and delivering to us pages of information. Hours of operation (yes, they are open Memorial Day), ticket prices, maps to get us there and more - it is all available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week through the Internet. No one at Carlsbad would have been able to answer our questions if we had called at that time of night because no one was there. It didn't matter. The Internet is always open. We were able to find what we needed quickly and easily. Dena asked "What did we do before the Internet?" The Internet has become such a part of our lives that question now puzzles me. However, it is even more important that we ask, "What are we doing now for the cause of Christ with this great tool?"

First, let us all understand there is Bible authority for using the Internet. Now, if one will only be satisfied by a specific example of Paul using email then he or she will never find Bible authority for the Internet. Or, for that matter, neither will such a one find authority for church buildings, song books, or air conditioning. Brethren have usually understood that the tools necessary to fulfill God's commands are scripturally authorized as expedients, or necessary helps. Thus, Hebrews 10:25's command to assemble necessitates a place to do that assembling. Likewise, Matthew 28's command to "go into all the world" authorizes, generically, going. We may go in a ship, on foot, on a plane, or even via radio waves, or yes, through the Internet. Let no one stop the church from using this great tool by failing to understand the proper application of Bible authority.

Second, let us all realize the mandate to use this technology. The mandate is simple: we are soldiers in the battle of light versus darkness (Ephesians 6:11ff). We are here to tell the good news of Jesus Christ, and in so doing, we push back the borders of evil. In this great struggle for eternal souls we must not hesitate to bring to the front lines of the battle every available tool. The devil certainly does not so hesitate! By far the most common websites and the most visited websites are the so-called "adult" (read: pornographic) sites. Do you see how the devil doesn't wait? New technology comes out and he immediately seizes upon a way to use it for evil. If there is wickedness on the Internet let us counter it with good. If the Internet is being perverted let us show how it can be used for righteousness' sake. Our Commander, Jesus Christ, deserves no less.

Third, let us all understand that we can all use the Internet. It is easy to feel that the only way to make use of this great tool is to build and host a website. By having such a site a Christian or a congregation establishes a presence on the Internet, and is able to distribute Bible-based information throughout the world as users visit the site. Westside's site (JustChristians.com) contains a wealth of tracts, Bible study material and back issues of Abundant Life. However, while maintaining a site to teach the Gospel "to all nations" is a primary use of the Internet it is not the only one. For example, there are many outstanding Bible sites that you can visit for your own edification. Try any of the following sites. You will find them professionally done, easy to use and full of great material.

Expository Files - this is Warren Berkley and Jon Quinn's monthly magazine that features articles dedicated to writing and explaining scriptural texts. It is excellent.

Brass Tacks magazine - Gary Henry's site, full of good material of every kind. I especially like his family devotional packets, giving daily Bible reading and thoughts for families to use in their home.

Executable Outlines - Mark Copeland's outlines are the place to start if you are going to do any kind of study of a book of the Bible. Easy to read, extremely helpful, full of good insights. Don't miss this site.

Fry Road church of Christ - www.fryroad.org - Mark White's site features Viewpoints magazine, which makes very good reading.

These sites (and many more - check the "links" page at Westside's site) can help you grow spiritually. But that still isn't all that can be done on the Internet. Email gives us the ability to do so much so quickly. For example, you could email an encouraging note to a missionary preaching in a hard place. Or you could email an encouraging note to a fellow Christian who is down. Email can even bring you Bible teaching. Warren Berkley (wberkley@hiline.net) will email you his "Monday Messages" free and without obligation. Each week's message features a scriptural perspective on events and life. If you really want to get to work on the Internet you could surf denominational church sites and email in Bible questions (like "Why does Acts 2:38 teach baptism forgives sin if faith alone saves as your site teaches?"). News groups also contain many forums where you can speak out for pure NT Christianity. Even if you never convert anyone you will have sown the seed and personally learned a great deal in the process. Westside's site generates four to five email questions a week. These are legitimate study opportunities that only email makes possible, and I have learned a great deal just in answering all those questions. Finally, as if this isn't enough, you can tell others about good sites that you have found, thus multiplying the value of the material already on the Internet.

Technology's inevitable advance has granted the Kingdom of God a great new tool. Let's make sure we are maximizing what can be a tremendous blessing from the Lord!