Thoughts on digitalisation
I am a constant user of social media and a fan of digital technology.Though i am more or less a novice in digital technology, the advances of the technology continues to amaze me with the potential it displays and the fascinating ways creativity plays in the mind of the humans.Surely people who are in the field of digital technology are one of the most innovative and creative people in the world.Not only the digital world has pervaded the secular culture of the society it has also invaded the world of religion and theology so much so that Dr Albert Mohler who is a leading American reformed theologian considers the absence of having a "digital presence" may lead to a "non existential life" for the people who are passionate for spreading the gospel .Let me share some thoughts on these.
First the engagement with digitization and information technology has enabled many to underline their presence in an increasingly digitalising world.Most of the well meaning and earnest Christians who are interested in dispelling and dispersing the seed of the gospel are not even in the race, when evil powers with ulterior motives sweep the world with their deceptive displays of digital magic.The antithesis to the gospel is growing in power daily in the digital realm in the form of false propaganda,pornography and digital engagement on trivial stuff,which takes the place of divine thoughts the ancients were flooded with ,about god and his attributes.The battle for the mind has been never before so serious as in this age and we need a disciplined approach to engage our mind lest our mind becomes scattered by the digital clutter that enters our mind everyday.Looks like our traditional quiet times in the morning is not sufficient to keep the momentum for the digital encounter ahead!
Secondly in an age of google ,gadgets and gizmos the creativity index of the people who are involved in this world is very high .I think this fact is challenging for me at a personal level.Being a doctor i am often involved in a process of "repair" of "improvisation" of the functions or parts of the human body.This poses a challenging question of "how i can be creative in my calling?".The god of genesis is not done with genesis and he is still active and vibrant today .His word is still creating.How to see gods hand "creating " my life and the lives of others is worth watching out lest i lose my self in the daily mundane process of my repairs and improvisation.The challenge before is can we engage with the digital world in a more creative manner which defines the creative work of god in our life and others and elicit the same passion and reaction in the life of the people who are engaged with our creative acts.Though many people may dismiss the digital world for a "real " world fellowship it is not worth dismissing the digital world altogether for most of our engagement with the world and people is going digital than real!
Finally the engagement with the digital world is challenging and entertaining along with all the risks it poses to our personal world.There is always the danger of losing ourselves in this world .To remain watchful and vigilant is essential even as we try to wage a battle for truth and righteousness in a seemingly artificial world.More and more i am inclined to believe this realm has to be taken as seriously as possible and engaged with renewed energy and discipline.As Dr Mohler right points out the real cause for engaging with the digital world is not purely technological imperative. To put it in his own words"Our driving motivation must be a Gospel imperative – to see the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the full wealth of Christian conviction, and the comprehensive reach of the Christian worldview set before a sinful world."And that i feel is the reason why i should be even writing this!
First the engagement with digitization and information technology has enabled many to underline their presence in an increasingly digitalising world.Most of the well meaning and earnest Christians who are interested in dispelling and dispersing the seed of the gospel are not even in the race, when evil powers with ulterior motives sweep the world with their deceptive displays of digital magic.The antithesis to the gospel is growing in power daily in the digital realm in the form of false propaganda,pornography and digital engagement on trivial stuff,which takes the place of divine thoughts the ancients were flooded with ,about god and his attributes.The battle for the mind has been never before so serious as in this age and we need a disciplined approach to engage our mind lest our mind becomes scattered by the digital clutter that enters our mind everyday.Looks like our traditional quiet times in the morning is not sufficient to keep the momentum for the digital encounter ahead!
Secondly in an age of google ,gadgets and gizmos the creativity index of the people who are involved in this world is very high .I think this fact is challenging for me at a personal level.Being a doctor i am often involved in a process of "repair" of "improvisation" of the functions or parts of the human body.This poses a challenging question of "how i can be creative in my calling?".The god of genesis is not done with genesis and he is still active and vibrant today .His word is still creating.How to see gods hand "creating " my life and the lives of others is worth watching out lest i lose my self in the daily mundane process of my repairs and improvisation.The challenge before is can we engage with the digital world in a more creative manner which defines the creative work of god in our life and others and elicit the same passion and reaction in the life of the people who are engaged with our creative acts.Though many people may dismiss the digital world for a "real " world fellowship it is not worth dismissing the digital world altogether for most of our engagement with the world and people is going digital than real!
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