Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Bob Hiller, Walter Strickland, and Caleb Wait discuss how theological formation, when done primarily through digital media, online platforms and influencers, can be counter productive in the life of the church.
Christian Influencers Don’t Know the Purpose of Theology
56 min
In this Episode
- Gregory of Nazianzus warned in the fourth century against turning theology into a staged spectator sport. The panel considers how social media algorithms reward the “mic drop” over truth and the edification of God’s people.
- The content of Christian theology is a theology of the cross, but online platforms reward a theology of glory. Public theologians must resist the temptation to put on a show.
- Theology is described as “wisdom for invocation”: it helps us call on the name of the right Lord. It serves proclamation, apologetics, piety, and worship, and it is an act of love toward our neighbor.
- Bavinck in 1909 and Freya India today both describe an attention economy that leaves little room to lift our eyes to transcendent things. Like Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4, our sanity is restored when we raise our eyes to heaven.
- The answer to an anxious generation is not more entertaining content. It is the promise of pardon and imputed righteousness in Christ, received in the embodied life of a local church.
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