The Spiritual Danger of Blogging

All of us who have grown up in rural churches know the spiritual dangers of the "prayer chain." The concept is a good one; when a need arises in the congregation, one member telephones another with the prayer request who then telephones another, who then telephones another, and so forth. And yet, there is the persistent temptation to justify gossip through the guise of a prayer request. "I don't know where this is true or not, and I'm just telling you as a matter of prayer, but I heard Todd and Melba are having problems..."

I sense an even sadder and more dangerous temptation in the explosion of the blogosphere in recent years. One can sit in one's underwear, or in a darkened corner of a Starbucks, and throw out all kinds of suggestions about the actions and motives of others, under the guise of "looking for comments" from the blogging world. And one can build quite a blog presence that way. Be the place where everyone can go to find that delicious morsel of bad news or, even worse, paint oneself as a martyr-blogger standing against the conspiratorial machinations of "The Man," and one can attract as many onlookers as the little old lady who always knows who hasn't been tithing lately. Gossip still attracts those who love it. It's just not the local president of the Woman's Missionary Union shelling out these days, but a thirtysomething sitting in a Starbucks all day with a laptop, a latte, and a microchip on his shoulder.

It goes without saying that gossip and paranoia deaden the heart. But even among those who flee such things, there's still temptations to fight in the blogosphere. Without question, the blogosphere gives a platform to those who wouldn't ordinarily have one. In many cases, that's a good thing. Some of the most insightful blogs I read are from young pastors and some of my students. But, let's be honest, blogs also tend to give a microphone to a kind of deadening cynicism and blind self-righteousness in the guise of taking on self-righteousness, legalism, and what-have-you. That's a temptation for everyone, computer-literate or not, but blogging seems to be the newest way to mask paranoia, cynicism, and just plain pugilism.

C.S. Lewis once told us in the voice of a demon that, from the perspective of the Evil One, "Tortured fear and stupid confidence are both desirable states of mind" for the Christian. Let's just remember that, these days, Screwtape knows how to blog.

Comments

[Denny Burk]

Glad you're back, Dr. Moore! We've missed your insightful commentary.

You have some great remarks in this post, and I totally agree. What you have pointed out, however, is not the only spiritual danger in blogging. Another one is maintaining a decent blog while being a faithful steward of one's time.

[Denny Burk]

Glad you're back, Dr. Moore! We've missed your insightful commentary over the last couple of weeks.

You have some great remarks in this post, and I totally agree. What you have pointed out, however, is not the only spiritual danger in blogging. Another one is maintaining a decent blog while being a faithful steward of one's time.

[Corban]

Profound and helpful comment - and only too true. Thank you.

[Quena]

Denny, Mark Dever said something along those lines yesterday:

"One reason that I've been reluctant to enter the blogosphere is that I am concerned that blog-writing and reading only adds to a bad tendency that we today already have--a fascination with the newest, latest, and most recent. And the newest and latest also often means that which is of only immediate value, that which is passing. That is opposed to that which is enduring, and which has in fact endured and lasted. We write words here which crawl along electronically and leap out through your fingers and eyes to take precious minutes and hours that the Lord has entrusted to us. Could these small things we write really be that important?"

He concludes that they might, but encourages us to "be sure and set aside some time to read more substantial things. Commune with the saints that have gone before.... And if you still have some time, you can have some other food for your soul--side dishes--snacks--by reading this blog."

http://blog.togetherforthegospel.org/2006/01/the_unbearable_.html

[BWalter]

The first time I read this, I read: "One can sit in one's underwear in a darkened corner of a Starbucks" and the image leapt to mind of the Touchstone editors in their long johns clustered around a laptop on a dimly lit Starbucks table. I was relieved to read it a second time and discover the missing , or. Then I could concentrate on the serious content of the rest of the posting!

I have heard it said that the downfall of the modern novel was ease of access to cheap printing methods. (The quote, which I cannot locate anywhere, was along the lines of, "Now any fool with access to an offset printer can get published.") Blogging becomes an even easier and even more inexpensive way to multiply foolishness. (Eccl. 5:3)

[Juli]

the image leapt to mind of the Touchstone editors in their long johns clustered around a laptop on a dimly lit Starbucks table

Scary!!

[Jekylldog]

"Blogging becomes an even easier and even more inexpensive way to multiply foolishness."

Not every blogger is blogging to be read and commented on. For some, blogging is a way to organize and crystallize their thought about what they are reading, studying, etc. in a responsible, edifying way. The fact that anyone can access their blog via the internet keeps them wholesome, humble and honest.
And commenting on blogs is not that different from blogging.

Tim Challies has an entry today that comments on the benefits of blogging.

HERE

[Jeff]

Although Moore does not mention any bloggers in particular, it seems pretty obvious to me that he is referring to blogs written by several current and former students of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (actually, I am not a student or alumni of that school, but I do follow what goes on there). His phrase "blogs also tend to give a microphone to a kind of deadening cynicism and blind self-righteousness in the guise of taking on self-righteousness, legalism, and what-have-you" is really code-languarge to refer to anybody who dares to question Southern's policy on the consumption of alcoholic beverages (Southern imposes an unbiblical policy - not allowing any of its students to drink alcoholic beverages - it is amazing how a seminary treats its students like children). Southern Baptist fundamentalists are trying to shut down and stifle all dissent. This used to be easy to do in the pre-internet era, but it is a lot harder now, and SBC fundamentalists have made bloggers the new enemy (a group of fundamentalist trustees at the International Mission Board are trying to remove a trustee who dared to blog about their scheme to impose unbiblical new rules on the misssionaries). Just as a CBS News executive tried to dismiss bloggers as "a bunch of guys in pajamas," so also now a dean of SBC seminary caricatures bloggers as "a thirtysomething sitting in a Starbucks all day with a laptop, a latte, and a microchip on his shoulder." But as hard as SBC fundamentalists try to intimidate and control all opposing viewpoints, we have entered a new era. Bloggers will expose the SBC leadership when they try to adopt unbiblical mandates and policies. Blogging is going to inaugurate a new age of freedom in the SBC - a freedom from legalism, intimidation, and secrecy!

[Will S.]

Interesting, Jeff! BTW, I'm assuming you, too, are within the SBC; are you within the Reformed Baptist tradition within that fold? Just curious. (I'm Reformed, in the Dutch tradition.)

[Jeff]

Yes, I am a Southern Baptist who is generally Calvinist in my theology.

[Will S.]

Somehow I knew you had to be. ;)

[Patrick]

"blogs also tend to give a microphone to a kind of deadening cynicism and blind self-righteousness in the guise of taking on self-righteousness, legalism, and what-have-you"

It seems to me this describes a good half of the Christian blogs I've come across, and so I don't understand how it's just a veiled reference to a particular group. Sometimes particular groups bring to mind a broader issue, and I think this is it.

Blogging certainly does have its risks, and I appreciate this post for the warning it brings. I have strayed myself into cynicism and frustrations, finding my soul beginning to feel the effects of such non-spiritual expressions. I have consciously changed how I blog, and what I blog about, and how I approach others in blogging.

Indeed, I'm of the strong opinion that of all the vices found on the Internet, and they are all found here in abundance, it is not lust or greed which are the most prevalent. Blogging and the internet is a breeding ground for encouraging vainglory. We love to hear our own voices, and the blog provides a forum to hear our words praised, agreed with, and honored by those who are more succesful in their blogging.

Most of the vices come from falling into egregious sins. But vainglory and pride often come from doing, or saying, everything right. Saying what is true, or wise, or intelligent does not mean it is holy or good. Vainglory is the sin of the righteous, and thus can often cause the longest fall.

However, I firmly believe that blogging is worthwhile and should be encouraged, precisely because it gives a voice to those who would otherwise be voiceless and helps spur a challenge to those who hold the microphones.

But, having a voice of encouragement or challenge requires diligence in our pursuit of continued holiness. Too often the Church highlights the sins of the barroom without also highlighting the more devastating and subtle sins words can encourage.

Thank you for the reminder, Dr. Moore.

[Mrs Spumoni]

Mea culpa!

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