CHICAGO, IL (February 24, 2016) — Covenanters routinely share links to social media articles and videos that Covenant News Service believes may be of interest to others. Each Friday we post five of them. Following is a sample of those submissions—their inclusion does not represent an endorsement by the Covenant of any views expressed.
How Smart Phones and Social Media Are Changing Christianity
Technology is changing how we worship and express our faith—sometimes in ways most of us never imagined. This article addresses the complicated relationship between technology and faith, though some of what this author identifies as new behavior is anything but. People were cherry-picking Bible verses long before smartphones came along.
From the article: “The way religious scriptures are read can influence how they are interpreted. For example, studies suggest that text read on screens is generally taken more literally than text read in books. Aesthetic features of a text, such as its broader themes and emotional content, are also more likely to be drawn out when it is read as a book.”
The Promise of 3-D Printing Body Parts
Comfortable prosthetics for many people in the poorest parts of the world may soon be a reality.
From the article: “One school student in California even printed a new hand for a local teacher. Often they are aimed at children, since many dislike the weight, look, and hassle of modern prosthetics, which can involve inserting the arm in a silicone sleeve and using straps across the back to hold the device in place.”
Can Tom Wright Save Christianity?
Bishop N.T. Wright is one of the most influential biblical scholars of our day, and his work is quite likely influencing what you are hearing—or preaching—in your local congregation.
From the article: “American evangelicalism has invented pious fictions like ‘the Roman Road’ and the Four Spiritual Laws and the ‘prosperity doctrine’ because they promise everything and ask next to nothing in return. A nod of assent and an eternity in heaven is ours.”
Finland to Get Rid of All School Subjects
The changes will be for students at high-school level and are expected to be fully instituted by 2020.
From the article: “Instead of individual subjects, students will study events and phenomena in an interdisciplinary format. For example, the Second World War will be examined from the perspective of history, geography, and math. And by taking the course ‘Working in a Cafe,’ students will absorb a whole body of knowledge about the English language, economics, and communication skills.”
10 Things That Show World Isn’t What It Used to Be
Churches and their leaders who don’t realize how the world is changing will be unable to influence culture. Given the story above, I’m surprised live-tweeting worship services didn’t make the list. Welcome signs did, though.
From the article: “Almost every dying church has an ‘All Welcome’ sign nobody takes seriously. Think about it, if you didn’t go to church, would you take that as an invitation?”
