iConfession, Faith, and Technology
It almost seemed like a joke when the news first came out that a bishop of the Roman Catholic Church gave his endorsement of an iPhone/iPad app that helps parishioners prepare for confession by stepping them through the 10 commandments and asking them questions to prompt their memory about sins they have committed.
But it was no joke. Which got Ray and Steve thinking out loud about technology, its impact on issues of faith, its use within a faith practice, and ultimately a subject that is of prime importance with or without technology: relationships.
By the way, the blog post that Ray and Steve talk about at some point in this podcast is Multiplication Ministry and Maturity, written by Steve on his old Theological Musings blog (now largely silent and gathering dust) back in May of 2006, and linked here for your convenience if you care to read it.
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February 20th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
I once heard a mode of friendship that described three or four stages I can’t precisely remember, doesn’t matter, it is probably more a continuum any way. One end are acquaintances that you just know their name and face and have a general positive feeling about them. The other end is those three or four people, if you are lucky, that you can share your heart with. I have to say that my facebood “friends” all fall someewhere in that continuum.
I realized as you talked about the concern of people setting you guys up as leaders, that that was one of my problems in the box. I don’t accept leaders easily and only for specialized jobs – not to put on pedestals or fallow blindly. You and the other podcasts I listen too are fellow travelers, and believe me, sometimes I argue with all of you but only bring here what ends up useful out of the conversation in my head.
I used to be in a large charismatic church, and saw some of those same types of “moves of God” and all the drama you touched on. One time, we had this week of meetings when that whole laughter thing was happening in Toronto. I went, mostly out of curiosity. I kept feeling God prompting me to keep my eyes open and watch certain things. I saw people who were being genuinely touched, but even more, I saw the same people who always got dramatic, getting dramatic. I also saw a “prophet” moving through the people and causing the dramatic to fall down and other stuff.
I firmly believe in the power of God to move and heal and so much more, but when I have seen Him move most powerfully it has been quiet and gentle, beautiful and personal. I would love to hear more of your thoughts on this.
February 20th, 2011 at 10:03 pm
Hi guys, I was the listener that suggested the ‘Boundaries’ topic, I am honored that you did one but a bit dissappointed that I didn’t get to hear it, O well.
I always found the relationships in church to be lacking, meeting centered and fake, that was the main reason I left. I still have a very small circle of people in my life and no-one from the church we used to go to, not even on facebook! LOL.
Great podcast, thanks.
February 20th, 2011 at 10:05 pm
P.S. I thought the clock noise was a baby toy or doorbell!
February 21st, 2011 at 12:05 am
Karen, from now on your comments won’t go to moderation.
I’m also disappointed that you never got to hear the episode on Boundaries. It honestly was a really good one, but my recording setup acted up and my entire side of the conversation was lost 🙁 It was heartbreaking for us to lose an entire episode like that.
March 10th, 2011 at 5:16 pm
Just discovered you guys and enjoying your conversation. I laughed out loud with this… “Verizon’s new tagline: Can you forgive me now.” Sad and unbelievable stuff, but good to air it out and ask what’s wrong with this picture?
Keep moving as He moves ya!