Facebook and Twitter for the Glory of God

The New Scientist publishes an interesting survey on heavy users of Twitter, Digg and Facebook. The researcher Amichai-Hamburger points to previous research by Scott Caplan of the University of Delaware where he suspects:

that heavy users of sites such as Digg and Twitter may have similar characteristics. “People who prefer online social behaviour tend to have higher levels of social anxiety and lower social skills,” he says.

When looking at Facebook users he suspects that his research may show that:

users of social network Facebook… sites based solely on friendly social interaction, attract a different, more agreeable, type of person.

This research raises an interesting question for Christians. Do we Twitter, Facebook and Digg because we feel more comfortable in an online world? Is our social interaction on Facebook just a grasp at Rodney King, “People, I just want to say, you know, can we all get along.” Can Christians Twitter and Facebook in a way that chiefly gives glory to God and helps us enjoy Him forever?

Here are my thoughts – I’m interested in yours:

• Twitter is self-selecting. I find the people I Twitter with most are sharp theological thinkers, committed Christians with a tendency towards Reformed theology, yet are very different from me – and therefore challenge my assumptions, broaden my understanding and bring humor and joy to Christian life. A little bit of heaven here on earth.
• Twitter broadens my social world. I twitter with Christians who are Baptists, Emergent, Presbyterian/Reformed, young, old, single, married, scattered across the globe. I find out about missions and missional living. I’m learning good things about Emergents, pro-life Catholics, reformed Baptists and southern Presbyterians. I’m finding common ground. To God be the glory for leading his invisible and visible church with Christ at the head.
• Twitter brings us down to day-to-day living as Christians. I hear that Al Mohler, Ed Stetzer, R.C. Sproul – like eggnog. I find out that people whose books I read and theological contributions I value get tired, sick, like movies and play with their kids. In other words they don’t just read theology or dialog with the great books and great minds 24/7. This I find encouraging. The Incarnate Christ in his humanity and divinity is modeled in his saints.
• Facebook – allows me to care and pray for those I do not see regularly. I hear from missionaries about trips to the aquarium (WHAT! they are not praying and serving all day and night???). I know when friends are down, sick, happy, nervous, excited. I pray more fervently.
• Facebook allows me to care and love those I do see regularly. The coffee half-hour at church is good for a quick, “Hello“ – but how does that deepen a friendship or encourage one another in Christ? Facebook allows me to go deeper as well as carry-on light hearted conversation or have far reaching theological debates. I can see pictures of grandkids and vacations. Learn about music they love – and find out I love it too. As we care, love and encourage our friends and neighbors on Facebook we are glorifying God.

Maybe I’m just socially anxious, have low social skills and a friend who wants to get along with everybody. But maybe there is a way to Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, Digg and Friendfeed to God’s glory.

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Tagged as: Facebook, Social Media, Twitter