Fixing Our Privacy Settings

After reading the cover article for @CTmagazine by @ridgewaychris on privacy in the digital age, I feel challenged to trust our protector God and strive for openness and vulnerability both online and in church community.

@caseysum

This has been my philosophy all along. Particularly in social media. If we hide all our conflict or weaknesses or ugly scars, it can be difficult for other people to connect with us. Besides, the world is giving plenty of examples of how not to do it. I think as Christians we should be broadcasting how to do it by grace.

Beth Rossiter

Protecting personally identifiable information is not the same as showing vulnerability with people in real life in your local church. Feeling creeped out about Facebook profiting off of all of our information so that we become a commodity to marketers and politicians is not a sin or the mark of a bad Christian. It’s not wrong to be wary of Alexa or Google Home devices. Build community, but build it offline. Being part of a local church doesn’t require having a public profile on Facebook. Be savvy. Only friend people you know in real life. Be careful about what you share in public forums, which includes Facebook.

Adrienne Royer

I disagree. There is real wisdom in responsibly protecting your personal information. There is also real wisdom in sharing your faith. So, the question really is: “How can I protect my information while at the same time ensuring my faith can be shared?” It can be done.

@joncookca

Who is My Digital Neighbor?

James Eglinton’s description of “winner-take-all democracy” reminded me of something I was told when I first became a member of the elected governing session that leads my Presbyterian congregation. In the Presbyterian church, there is traditionally a strong respect for the minority viewpoint. When a notable minority expresses concern about a proposed action, then it is likely the will of the Spirit is not yet fully known.

John Page Cary, NC

In the Beginning Is Silence

Mark Galli’s commentary is always worth a read, and his Where We Stand item in your September issue was no exception. It reminded me of J. I. Packer: “The life of true holiness is rooted in the soil of awed adoration.” Well done.

Owen Panner Jr. Riddle, OR

Church, Have Mercy!

This is a good piece by @DZRishmawy. A good reminder well worth the few minutes it takes to read.

@paulthomasloan

I read this when I got my copy of @CTmagazine this month. It’s a beautiful piece. Mercy is holiness. I would encourage every preacher and Bible teacher to take 10 minutes and read this.

@griffingulledge

New Jerusalem’s Modern Farmer

Fascinating article on agriculture and how both the small farm-to-table movement and big ag may have a place in the new earth, which is not a return to Eden but a realization of what Eden would have become had humanity fulfilled its divine mandate to fill and subdue it.

@Kendall_Flower

The Paradox of Madeleine L’Engle

May Madeleine’s example inspire the church as it attempts to navigate a more generous and joyful path through the wilderness of this increasingly contentious world.

@TelosCollective

The Boring Night That Made Me a Christian

God is awesome in that he chooses to do everything different every time. He heals someone from a different way each time to attest to his greatness and who he is.

@Thunder_Drummin

The Christian calling has always been a brutal process of dying to oneself and being reborn into the image of Christ. I’m grateful for the words and experiences of @JackieHillPerry in this new @CTmagazine article. What do you need to die to today?

@danjholcomb

As a person with a similar past, this is inspirational to hear. Christ wants our whole being, and he is worth any price.

@jetreve

I was so impacted by your testimony, I visited your website and pre-ordered [your book], all within a couple of hours. Even with my never-ending book list, I knew I had to read your story.

@Frances5110

Correction: The article “Resurrecting Faith After Hurricane Maria” incorrectly stated Puerto Rico is home to the only tropical rainforest in the US. It is home to the only tropical rainforest in the National Forest System.

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