Religion and Technology

Q: What are the advantages of technology used by many religions of today (internet, books, and radio) as opposed to the religions whose only use of technology is publishing (like Lutheranism)?

A: Actually, Lutherans are doing much more with the internet that just publishing. Lutheran radio is available through KFUO-AM in St. Louis. Its broadcast schedule, including such shows as Issues, Etc. and The Lutheran Hour, can be heard online and much of their programming is archived. There are also numerous Lutheran interactive email lists, web sites, and blogs (including my own, which you are now using). You can find many of these resources on my Godtalk page. The home page of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod and other official pages now include some online books as well as links to the Lutheran publishing houses, where you can order traditional books as well as electronic versions.

I agree that there can be much of value in technology and am sure that Lutherans can and should be doing more on the internet and through other modern forms of communication, especially since there is such a tremendous non-Christian and “confused-Christian” presence online and in the world of the computer literate. To meet Satan with silence is not a good option. Rather, Lutherans, as other orthodox Christians, must become fluent in this new means of communication as we continue to shine the light of Christ in a sin-darkened world. I think such well-planned actions follow the apostle’s example of being “all things to all people” in order that, through us, Christ “might save some. (1 Cor 9:22)”

Scripture quoted from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version™, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles.

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Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of the book What Do Lutherans Believe.