Well I finished my first of 30 books in 90 days and I’ve been keeping up with my Bible reading. I enjoy reading and I normally do a decent amount of it, but this much reading is proving to be a bit of a challenge.

In terms of the book The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture by Shane Hipps, I found the first half incredibly interesting. I have to admit that I started reading the book several months ago but only worked my way through the first third of it until life got too crazy and the book ended up collecting dust. After re-reading some of the first third and the working my way through the rest, I found the second half to spark a lot of thought and reflection. I disagree with some of his conclusions but the main point of the book is fascinating. I agree with Hipps that the church has not dealt or reflected on how much it, as a medium, has affected the message (referring to the writings of McLuhan). The old adage that the medium can change but the message stays the same is well critiqued throughout this book. I agree with Hipps that the medium can’t remain neutral and inadvertently and with profoundly affects alters or even skews the message.

I also found his comments of Satellite churches to be interesting in regards to the medium having a profound affect of the message – even contradicting itself. If, as Hipps asserts, the church is the medium Christ choose to communicate his message, then we need to take that seriously. We can’t continue to pretend that media and technology are neutral in the life of the church. I am not against using technology, anyone who knows me knows this, but the medium has to always be evaluated and reflected upon so that we may understand how it is affecting, changing or altering the message. If we ignore that reality and ignorantly assume it is neutral and unbiased, then we are in danger of radically affecting the message of the marvellous gospel we are commissioned to share.

This book has prompted and reminded me to think and evaluate my use of technology personally and within the church. I am not going to give it up, but I will try to persistently consider its affect on the message and my faith.

Overall, it is a stimulating read. It has much of the same base material as authors like Postman and McLuhan but from a theological/ecclesiological point of view – one I found fascinating. Once again, I don’t agree with some of Hipps solutions but his critiques and insights are well-worth the price of the book.

Well, on to my next book: “Coming Home: To the Father Who Loves You.”