Jun 6, 2008
Technology
- I still heart Ray Kurzweil - this week he is being interviewed on the New York Times. To be honest I hope some of his predictions in this article come true...but the others, well, I hope don't work out. I still have a hard time with the idea that we should "become computers." Interesting enough, the new comphuman Cylons of the modern Battle Star Gallactica have recently declared that mortality (the ability to die) is part of what made life meaningful. This is half true...our mortality in this life does point to its fuller meaning but is not the complete story which gives meaning...the true good news is that death can be overcome and life can rise in a new world. Life forever in a fallen world would create perpetual suffering and meaninglessness...life in a redeemed world will be beyond what any eye has seen or ear has heard...it will be better than we can imagine.
- This is just weird - smiley weird.
The Church
- Mark Dever does not want video in church...I'm not persuaded, but I do think he makes a good case for why we should give care to such things. It seems Dever would say "abstain from video" on Sunday morning. I might say "use moderation" - I would also say that the church would do well to welcome videographers and their craft in service of the Kingdom...I'll copy in the comment I left on the blog here as well:
Dr. Dever,I think your concern is helpful but would want to know what you mean "in church" - I am assuming you mean showing videos as part of sermons. I for one would show your 9 Marks Video (just to the right here) in a church service. I also like using video thematically to transition in a service to the sermon - See these for a few small examples: 1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxPcX6m1_oo 2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__94uoHdZGo
I understand the concern you have and believe it is needed. I am thankful that you push on these things in the direction you do. When the message people come away with is "great visual" or "great video clip in that sermon" or "that illustration was awesome" rather than - I love God more, I see him more clearly, I am thankful for the gospel or I understand the Scripture which was preached...I too have concern.
Ravi Zacharias once said "The Scriptures do not say, in the beginning was...video" We must stay word centered, yet I do think video can be used in service of the word while never replacing it. In fact, I would say a good missionary to our culture would want to use technology to the glory of God - to redeem its use in God's service rather than 1)despising it or 2) making it an idol.
Thankful for IX Marks...and nice promo video btw.
Comments
Let's do away with those horseless carriages, too. As a matter of fact, get rid of carriages. Jesus didn't use the wheel.
Old people, sheesh. :-)
Posted by: Mike Radcliffe | June 6, 2008 10:18 PM
Mike, yes, I agree...but you have possibly not seen some of the stuff that we ought to be concerned about. There are places where truth and explaining the scriptures are replaced by a show which lacks substance.
I think we should use video, technology, music, artistic works etc. to serve the Word, not to eclipse it. There is a danger - so I listen to men like Dever...then I push back because I think he is on the other side too far. Not sure if he listens to me though :)
But yes, we should use the horseless carriage and the telegraph - you always give me a good laugh. Thanks Mike
Posted by: Reid | June 7, 2008 09:28 AM
I know, I know, sometimes my posts err to the side side of humor over substance. And sometimes, neither. :-)
Surely, this argument is as old as the Church itself. I bet there were disciples telling Jesus he needed to scribble in the sand more. Can you imagine the ruckus it must've cause the first time some youngster suggested Jesus use a megaphone fashioned from fig branches and goat hide? "Check it, my Meshizzle, this bad boy gets yo parables all OVER the beach. Word!" (Yeah, I'm white.)
We will always have the conflict of substance vs. style. I think FBC has married the two nicely. Even though there are times when I feel like an old codger, especially when they run the "feature presentation" reel and the subwoofers cause me to shart a little. It's ok though, as it covers up the smell of cologne from that guy who always seems to sit too close to me. (When did Polo come back? Am I at prom?)
There will always be some new trend, technology, or teaching style that will raise an eyebrow. As long as there are still men like Denver striving to keep substance the priority, we should be ok.
I hope we will always have the debate, because there will always be a need for the debate.
Posted by: Mike Radcliffe | June 7, 2008 11:15 AM
Word
Posted by: Reid | June 7, 2008 11:42 AM
I got a chance to hear Dever bring the word (actually, about The Word) at New Attitude this year. I can see how a video would not improve his sermon much- it is pretty solid on its own.
Posted by: Joshua Stevenson | June 8, 2008 09:56 PM
Josh, I agree brother. Dever brings the business from Scripture. Personally, I think I only played a video in the middle of a message one time in my history at Fellowship. This was in 05 on a Sunday when I was still trying to be like the culture there and not walk in my own skin (I had to repent of that)
I don't think I ever did at Inversion, though I would use graphics on screen from time to time...usually in an introduction (like I used a pic of the Borg from Star Trek).
I also don't like to put points from PowerPoint on screen when preaching. Now, in theology or apologetics lectures, which I consider very different type of teaching than preaching, I will use various slides and visuals...but in preaching I like to grab the heart, not the eyes - so I pray and stay pretty verbal.
My only pushback with Dever is that video "in a service" is sometimes OK and even helpful. I do appreciate his push because there are folks out there that hardly preach any more and just show video clips and tell stories.
Thanks man - how is the new job?
Posted by: Reid | June 9, 2008 08:20 AM