27 August 2006
There will come a day when every living person will have their own television channel.
Odd as this sounds, we seem to be heading that way. One of the downsides of a global technology is the sheer audacity that autonomous anonymity offers.
- Every person has a computer.
- Every person has wi-fi.
- Every person has a website.
- Every person has a blog.
I hesitated entering the blog world, due to the fact that it is a self-perpetuating universe. One writes a blog, comments on another, receives commentary on their original blog, responds, and so forth. It becomes a cyclical nightmare of response-repose. If you do not believe me, ask yourself: what is the draw of reality television?
Some of the most popular programs around are reality based. The average person from down the street rockets to immediate stardom by making it on a reality show. Immediate stardom does not mean perpetual stardom. After a brief period, they return to the lives they share with all of us- mundanity and simplicity.
Yet the lengths to which they will go to make it on the reality shows is astonishing. They will humiliate themselves, losing all sense of dignity, for the hope of success. Dignity has a price, apparently. Watch the first three weeks of “American Idol” for proof.
Noteriety and Popularity are not the same thing. The flip side to this new culture (I call it “transmodern” as students can attest) is simple: we now have people who are famous…for being famous.
The shift affects Christianity and our apologetic. Paris Hilton wears a kabbalah bracelet, and youth begin following. Why? Because Paris wears it. It is the same in the world of blogging. We become famous by having the most responses. We influence people by simply posting. One blogger is equal to the other, with little regard for truth.
That is why “comments” on blogs are not necessary. My opinion, in the long run, matters little. It is just the rantings of one lone theologue, in a vast universe. Agree, disagree, whatever. But do not vest any more importance to my positions than any others. Seek truth in God’s Word. Study for yourself! Stay up all night at IHOP, arguing theological details with your friends. But do not be a follower of MEN. Follow the Lord, and be wary of those who have “acheived” all truth.
I love Balthasar Hubmaier, but he was just a man…a flawed man. Calvin turned Geneva to Christ, but not without some serious malfeasance. Billy Sunday won millions, but I am sure he lost his temper. Men will fail us every time. The Triune Lord alone is the measure of truth.
Job made this same discovery, when he sarcastically said to his “comforters” in Job 12: 2, “No doubt you are the people, And wisdom will die with you!”
Follow Christ, not Paris Hilton. Not Ergun Caner. Not anyone else. And stay off “American Idol.” You can’t sing, and they will end up making fun of you.
