Abundant Life: March/April 2010: The Internet and the Christian

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The Internet and The Christian

Did Alexander Graham Bell ever imagine what he began that day he barked out “Mr. Watson come here!” and his voice was transmitted through wires to the other end of the first telephone? For years the telephone was simply used for talking over distance (and even that was sometimes problematic and often very expensive). But new technologies like the transistor and integrated circuit ignited a storm of innovation in electronics that birthed the personal computer, the cell phone and the Internet. Now, over phone lines, we can easily shop, read, watch, learn and much, much more. The Internet has had a profound effect on the world. The infographic below illustrates how much of our lives it dominates (source: http://www.onlineschools.org/blog/internet-stats/). Many have likened the seismic shift in society it has brought to Gutenberg’s press – an apt comparison but one that speaks to how decisively the Internet has changed everything.

The Epidemic of Internet Pornography

Cyberspace has opened an exciting world of enjoyment, business, educational and networking opportunities. However, what exists in cyberspace via the Internet is merely a clone of the real world and real time. The Internet can be used as a tool for growth or a weapon for destruction. The choice is often made impulsively at the click of a mouse.

Confessions of an Internet Junkie

Some time ago, I confessed a sad television habit that was taking up too much of my valuable time. As I said in that article, I deleted my DVR scheduling and quit watching too much Law and Order. Not long after that, we actually got rid of cable all together. I should be the most efficient time manager of all now that I got rid of my cable, right? Sadly, we learn once again that nature abhors a vacuum. In true Matthew 12:43-45 fashion, the evil television spirit has gotten seven other spirits to attack and the last state might well be worse than the first. However, these spirits are called The Internet. (Please know that I’m speaking tongue in cheek about the spirits.)

“Like the Air They Breathe” — The Online Life of Kids

The fact that children and teenagers now spend a good deal of their lives connected to electronic devices is hardly news. We are now accustomed to the knowledge that teenagers are seldom seen without wires in their ears and a cell phone in their hand as they multitask their way through adolescence. Now, however, there is good reason to believe that these young people are far more connected than we have even imagined.

Lust is the Problem

I don’t know how many times I’ve read Matthew 5:27-30 and I’ve always seen it as a simple condemnation of sexual lust. I wonder if there isn’t something more here as well.

You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.” But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

The Trouble with Facebook

The Internet has featured some very surprising sites, doing all sorts of stuff that no one ever envisioned prior to the Internet. Could anyone really have imagined a worldwide garage sale going on twenty-fourseven, as eBay certainly is? What about being able to watch the NCAA tournament game of your choice via CBSSports.com, instead of having to take the game the local CBS affiliate decides to show? Sites like googlemaps.com and mapquest.com have made paper maps and Mapsco books obsolete antiques.