The Next Story: Life And Faith After The Digital Explosion (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
Very good commentary on how we use digital tools today or how they use us. It made me think and re-evaluate how technology can overtake my life, how it can be a huge distraction and what again is 'truth'. I know I need to discipline my online habits, be careful what and how I say things online and how I need to talk more to people directly or at least on the phone to have better and more clear communication, rather than txting or emailing.I like how the author put it that we have so much more 'information' today however "more information may lead to less wisdom." (Page 144). And that we may have so much information it is generally only 2 inches deep (shallow thinking), but God calls Christians to be deep thinkers:"But the Christian faith requires that Christians use their God-given minds, in order to know what is true and to reject what is false." (Page 129)While Challies warns us about the misuse of technology, he also urges Christians to accept it, try to understand it (and the 'whys' of it) and to use it as a tool to glorify Christ and share the good new about Jesus and God. He gives many practical ideas yet does not tell the reader what to do. I recommend this book to everyone. Technology is everywhere. Therefore, we need to think about it - go ahead. What do you think? Are you really thinking deeply about technology? What was it created to do? What place does it currently hold in your life? It is benefitting you and your relationships? Did you have any trouble grappling over these deeper issues? Perhaps your problem is that your use of technology has rewired your brain. In his book, "The Next Story: Life and Faith after the Digital Explosion", Tim Challies walks his readers through many of the issues surrounding technology and how it can affect our lives, our relationships, our brains, our culture, our beliefs, etc. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it brought up many issues regarding technology and how I can and should approach it in a Biblically based way. Challies covers such topics as truth, communication, privacy, information, and distraction and he makes sure to include short sections for reflection and application for each topic. Some of the truths that were presented in this book were a bit scarry at times, but it is with this greater knowledge that I can go forth and endeavor to live my life as a follower of Christ in this technology age. Like it or not technology affects the way we live, communicate, and develop - there is basically no retreat at this point. As Christians we need to grapple with such issues that Challies breaches and be willing to take stock of our technology and how it can change us and perhaps already has. Challies guides his readers through this process and challenges them to consider how they might live in the "sweet spot" where theory, theology and experience intersect. This book is worthy of your time and brain power as you journey through its content and consider what "The Next Story" might be in your life as technology continues to expand and affect more and more areas of our lives.
What do You think about The Next Story: Life And Faith After The Digital Explosion (2011)?
This book really challenged me in how I view and use technology. I really recommend it.
—Manas
A good general introduction to thinking about technology is a discerning manner.
—nunna
Currently listening to the audiobook and thoroughly enjoying it.
—Emilyallred
Challies is a great author and always an enjoyable read.
—liselotte
