Bible engagement in a changing world …
This is a new year. A new beginning. And things will change. American singer-songwriter, Taylor Swift.
How will cultural and technological changes impact how people connect with the Bible? Here are three “big picture” things to consider:
Visualacy
In a ‘visualholic’ culture, the strategies or approaches to invite connections with the Bible must deal with the fact that people think mainly in images, not words. Postmoderns need to see to know. Dan Kimball says, “Propositions are lost on postmodern ears, but metaphor they will hear; images they will see and understand.” This means that to engage this generation with the Bible, the informational methodology of modernity (an emphasis on facts and knowledge) should be yoked with incarnational approaches that emphasize interactional, experiential and integrational responses to the truth.
Relevance
People are more likely to read the Bible if they believe it has application or significance for their lives. In a culture of individualism, consumerism, and hedonism, people ask, “What’s in it for me?” It’s not enough to simply invite someone to read the Bible – we must extol the benefits of Bible engagement by letting people know that the Scriptures give guidance for daily living, provide a moral/ethical framework for life, set us free from the grip and oppression of sin, and converge our stories with God’s Story.
Mediated Communications
Zoom, GoToMeeting, Microsoft Teams, Facebook, Linkedin, telephone, e-mail, and such all serve as go-betweens, helping connect us. Embodied communications (i.e., in the flesh) happen less frequently than they used to. While mediated communications are extremely helpful, they are limited. The challenge moving forward is finding ways to use mediated communications to full benefit without compromising the importance of embodied communications. That is, every opportunity should be taken to encourage and facilitate connections with the Scriptures via mediated and embodied communications.
Things are changing and will continue to change. But some things never change: “Your word, O Lord is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens” Psalm 119:89 (NIV).
Bible engagement in a changing world. How are you responding to cultural and technological shifts?
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Summary
Bible engagement in a changing world. Cultural and technological changes shape how people connect with the Bible, especially in a visually-oriented society where images often speak louder than words. To reach a generation that thinks in visuals, Bible engagement must combine modern, factual methods with experiential and interactive approaches. Relevance is key, as people are more likely to engage with the Bible if they see its personal significance and application to their lives. Additionally, while mediated communications (like Zoom and social media) offer new ways to connect, maintaining face-to-face interactions remains crucial for fostering deep connections with Scripture.
© Scripture Union Canada
