Media and Technology: Resources For Reflections

By Lars Dahle Topic: Computers & TechnologyKeywords: , , , , ,

“Can we regain the full integrity of faith in Christ while fully and properly engaged in the advanced modern world?”

This essential question is raised by Os Guinness in the new edition of his classic treatment Gravedigger File (now retitled The Last Christian on Earth). This question is inescapable when facing the key issues of media and technology – and it should lead all of us to critical reflections, prayer and renewed action.

I suggested in a previous blog that we need to be involved both in media awareness and critique, media presence and media mission initiatives. In this blog, I would like to share briefly some of the resources that I find especially helpful in these areas:

First of all, we must not forget the existing Lausanne resources on media and technology! This includes both Media and Technology: The Rainbow, The Arch & The Cross and Radio in Mission. I do recommend them as insightful and constructive resources.

Secondly, there are some classic discussions on media and technoloy that we need to be aware of:

  • Marshall McLuhan: Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man (1964; reissued MIT Press, 1994,
  • Malcolm Muggeridge: Christ and the Media (Regent College Publishing, 2003; reprint) See also his article “Christ and the Media” and the chapter “Meeting fantasy with reality” in R. Steer Inside Story: The Life of John Stott (Inter-Varsity Press, 2009) pp. 177-182. 
  • David Porter: User’s Guide to the Media (Frameworks for Living) (InterVarsity Press, 1998)

Thirdly, I would also like to highlight the following websites for understanding and engaging the media:

I would encourage others in our emerging global community to share resources that they have found especially helpful, when engaging media as evangelicals involved in God’s mission to the world.