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Embodied vs. Digital Spiritual Growth - Feb 8 10:13am LU Post

Professor's Questions - Based upon your reading and study of Ecologies of Faith in a Digital Age, chapters 5-8, how would you respond to someone who rejected the possibility of Christians growing spiritually in digital online settings because spiritual growth requires physical face-to-face encounters between believers.

My Answer

          If someone believed it was only possible for Christians to grow spiritually through physical interaction between believers, and they believed growth was not possible in an online setting, I would ask them why they believed what they claim. I would listen attentively and as the discussion progressed, I would gently provide evidence to persuade them to realize that what they believe is not true. A great place to start the conversation would be with personal testimony about how I have grown spiritually online in our virtual classroom and by studying assignments and interacting online with others. Sharing what Lowe and Lowe state in the course text may be helpful; “This criticism of online community seems to contradict orthodox Christian theology regarding the communion of the saints and the communion believers enjoy with Christ through the Spirit.”[1] Lowe and Lowe also state “Distance is no barrier to the work of the Holy Spirit among the community of saints since their fellowship is a spiritual one not determined by physical proximity.”[2] I would use scripture to reinforce my comments stating that God’s Word is “living and active” and he wants us to learn and share it as much as possible (2 Tim. 2:15; Heb. 4:12). I would then remind them that we are a light in this dark world (Matt. 5:14-16) and God’s Word is a light that guides us (Ps 119:105). This may be enough to convince them that sharing the Word of God by whatever means possible will foster spiritual growth; if not, sharing more examples and statistics might help.

          Bringing up statistics from social media platforms and the fact that cyber churches are a real thing might be the proof required to sway their belief. Elena Larson from the Pew Research Center states: "Fully 20% of Americans said they had shared their religious faith on social networking websites or apps (such as Facebook and Twitter) in the past week, and 46% said they had seen someone else share ‘something about their religious faith’ online."[3] Additional examples provided in the text are House of Prayer and Second Life, these digital environments or cyber churches aim at building online friendships and sharing of scripture and many have the spiritual classes found in a physical church.[4] These digital environments are helping people seek a relationship with God and whether you believe it or not, this is a very real thing that is promoting spiritual growth.[5] I learned from Lowe and Lowe that connections do not need to be physical; in fact, scientists have proven online platforms grow relationships similar to offline relationships.[6] This can happen with the internet, phones, or almost any platform where communication can occur; for instance, the apostle Paul caused a growth explosion without being present with the epistle letters to the churches.[7] The text also has a definition that fits both online and offline relationships: "A “social network,” then, refers to the connections people have with each other, the interactions that transpire across the connections, and the influence that results from these connective interactions."[8]

          Again, to reinforce that God is not physically present with us, showing them in God’s Word that their faith is not based on embodied fellowship may bridge the gap, John 20:29 notes, “Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” Furthermore, Hebrews does tell us to come together but it does not say anywhere that I can find in scripture that we have to be physically present to grow spiritually (Heb. 10:24-25). While I agree that physical presence with Christians is something God wants believers to participate in; for example, Jesus became flesh (John 1:14), and laying on of hands (James 5:14-16), I would state clearly that I do not believe it takes physical presence to grow spiritually.

          The last thing I would do to help the individual grasp this potential change in belief is request to pray with them. I would ask God to direct and guide them to the truth. During this encounter I would never belittle the person or attempt to force these ideas, it is important we always remember to display the fruit of the Holy Spirit especially when our ideologies do not agree (Gal. 5:22-23).

[1] Stephen D. Lowe and Mary E. Lowe, Ecologies of Faith in a Digital Age: Spiritual Growth through Online Education (Downer’s Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2018), 73.

[2] Ibid., 74.

[3] Ibid., 71.

[4] Ibid., 115.

[5] Ibid., 124.

[6] Ibid., 124.

[7] Ibid., 111.

[8] Ibid., 124.