The article we read by J.M. van der Laan titled "How the Internet Shapes Religious Life, or the Medium Is Itself the Message" discussed how the use of the Internet, and the resources found on it has effected the way preachers are preparing what they preach from the pulpit. There was much written on what resources are currently available on the web, and some discussion on if what is available has much in the way of value.
I have found that like any form of resource there is value in what is made available to those looking to use it. I think calling technology as "value-neutral" is not the best term. There are many tools such as; bible software, websites with preaching commentaries, web based discussion groups, and just the basic word processor that add value to the preaching, and writing experience that we as 21st century preachers should become comfortable with.
That being said, technology alone cannot, and should not be the end all when it comes to preparing to preach. Relying only on what can be found on a computer is not a way to prepare for a sermon, just like relying on a computer is not the only way you should find a new car or a mortgage. It may seem easy to type in a google search on a Text and be given a multitude of search results, but volume does not ensure the relevant and theological basis to what God is expecting you to share in the proclamation of the Word.
Like all tools, the good work that the technology we are presented is reliant on the ability of those who operate the tools. You can give hammer and a chisel to a monkey, but that does not mean that a sculpture will be created, it takes a skilled scultpor to make something of value. Such is true with today's technology. It takes some skills of the sermon writer to be able to surf the web, and determine what is worthy and what is nonsense, what has meaning and purpose to the message being presented to an audience and what might not bring any value to a message that is being presented. Search engines can be powerful, it is up to the preachers to be able to share what is important to our congregations.
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Good thoughts, and your writing about a monkey brought me back to the saying of: give enough monkeys typewriters and eventually they will write Shakespeare. I think this internet technology is one of the greatest tools at human disposal and your relevance and theology highlights are just so important to remember.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the preacher is an essential part of sermon preparation - but then what do we make of "ready made" sermons on the internet? Anyone could print one of those out, without any reflection or discernment, and read it in front of the church. Even if the sermon itself is good, that seems like a dangerous perversion of the ministry of the Word.
ReplyDeleteWhat bothers me even more is that pastors are being pushed to this kind of behavior. Oh, there's a bunch of lazy ones out there I'm sure but there are many that are not given the time to properly prepare a sermon, have personal devotionals, continue education, or spend time with their own family. I hear too many stories of pastors getting burned out or marraiges failing, or worse. I'm not letting anyone off the hook for buying sermons but I'm sure there is more to this issue than we realize.
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