Social Media and Theology
Last night I worked with a group of youth and their parents at Nativity Episcopal Church, Bursville on the idea of the intersection between social media and theology.
Despite working with churches for years I had never been asked to specifically develop a theological reflection on social media.
For me, it all comes down to the concept of “koinonia,” a Greek term used frequently in the Greek New Testament to describe intimately connected community.
I believe that, at its best, social media undergirds existing bonds of deep friendship – allowing us to remain in community despite the busyness of life and challenges of increasingly transient lives. Think about the last time you followed a friend who was traveling, looking at their photos on Facebook and maybe commenting on a few status updates. Next time you see that friend, don’t you ask about that trip? Don’t you remark on their photos and maybe something they wrote? It’s almost as if we share the experience with them.
At the deepest levels of our souls, at the essence of our spiritual selves, we all want to be in relationships with each other – we want to know and be known.
Social media helps us do just that.