The Gospel and the Internet?
Question
Is it proper to use the Internet to spread the Gospel? Jesus seemed to share it face to face, not computer to computer.
Answer
E-Bay's philosophy is that it is "the world's largest online marketplace, where practically anyone can buy and sell practically anything." E-Bay uses the media of the computer to spread ‘its word.' Should this be restricted to only "marketplace merchandise?"
Jesus mandated that we should bring the Gospel to the "world" (Matt. 28:18-20). He did not mandate every aspect of how it was to be spread. While He did use a face to face approach much of the time (woman at the well — John 4:1-42, etc.), He also is responsible for the very Bible it self — which is not face to face. The Bible speaks about "letters" being delivered to the churches (1 Cor. 16:3; 2 Cor. 7:8; 10:10-11; Gal. 6:11; Heb. 13:22, etc.) as a form of media to understand the Word of God. Moreover, the Bible uses literal asses (Num. 22:1-39) to spread God's Word — but, some may call this face to face. God uses different mediums to spread His Word!
A part of IIIM's mission is to continue the biblical and Reformed position of continuing the teaching of God's word by different forms of media. As we state:
Answer by: Joseph R. Nally, Theological Editor, on behalf of the staff at IIIM. The opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily the "official position" of Third Millennium Ministries.
Jesus mandated that we should bring the Gospel to the "world" (Matt. 28:18-20). He did not mandate every aspect of how it was to be spread. While He did use a face to face approach much of the time (woman at the well — John 4:1-42, etc.), He also is responsible for the very Bible it self — which is not face to face. The Bible speaks about "letters" being delivered to the churches (1 Cor. 16:3; 2 Cor. 7:8; 10:10-11; Gal. 6:11; Heb. 13:22, etc.) as a form of media to understand the Word of God. Moreover, the Bible uses literal asses (Num. 22:1-39) to spread God's Word — but, some may call this face to face. God uses different mediums to spread His Word!
A part of IIIM's mission is to continue the biblical and Reformed position of continuing the teaching of God's word by different forms of media. As we state:
The apostle Paul wrote, "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some" (1 Cor. 9:22). Centuries later, the early Protestant Reformers followed Paul's example by using the cutting-edge technology of the moveable-type printing press to spread the gospel and to teach the ways of Christ.
Third Millennium Ministries seeks to follow the example of Paul and the Reformers by utilizing modern technology and teaching devices to bring advanced Christian education to underprivileged nations.
Answer by: Joseph R. Nally, Theological Editor, on behalf of the staff at IIIM. The opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily the "official position" of Third Millennium Ministries.
