Digital Liturgies: Rediscovering Christian Wisdom in an Online Age

I admit that I had to read this for a course in seminary, and of all the books I had to read for that course, this was not one of the ones I was initially most excited about. I've heard plenty of interviews and talks, read blogs and articles, etc., about the ills of our media-driven age and how it affects us mentally and physically, but spiritually too. I figured this would be a rehashing of the same discussion I've seen quite a bit of recently (which I do admit I agree with -- that is, I recognize the dangers and ills of our digital age). Well, I was happily proven wrong. This book was intriguing and fantastic. Samuel James was able to get to the heart of the matter and really cause me to stop and reflect at various points in the book. I was pleasantly surprised, was brought to think of our digital age in new ways, and I was personally challenged. I told my wife this is a book she'll have to read -- which I rarely do with books I'm assigned for seminary. I would definitely recommend this one!

Truly a remarkable book.James combines observations from social scientists and media ecologists with sound Scriptural wisdom to produce a book that provides serious analysis of the way the internet is shaping us, whether we realize it or not. Not only does James help us consider the ways that the internet-life is counter-catechizing us against Christian faithfulness and wisdom, he does so in a way that is accessible and edifying.The internet has promised (and provided) so much to us. But every tool has pros and cons. And an immersive tool like the internet will shape the way we think and feel in ways we wont notice unless we pay careful attention.James sees the dangers clearly and presents them persuasively. Unlike many Christian cultural analyses, he also clearly is hopeful and confident in the power of the gospel and the sufficiency of Scripture to teach us how to live in light of these challenges.If you're reading this review (posted online!), you should read this book. You will be sobered, warned, encouraged, and helped.

Samuel D. James does a great job of shining light on one of the most influencial aspects of modern culture, the internet and social media. It’s ever before us and yet we often fail to clearly see how it is changing us. James calls us to consider these “digital liturgies” and how they are reshaping our minds and lives. He doesn’t throw the proverbial baby out with the bath water. He simply calls the reader to be intentional and to center their lives on Christ and the living Word of God. Well worth the read.

This book was a fast, interesting read that had some thought-provoking ideas. While I didn't agree with everything in the book, it did make me step back, reflect, and examine what I believe and why I believe those things. It also made me consider the way that I and others interact with the internet and what purpose it serves in our lives. While I didn't agree with all of his analyses of the dangers of the internet, I did appreciate that he clearly presented his convictions.

James takes Postman’s “the medium is the message” to a whole new level—and a necessary one at that. People need to see what they don’t see, what technology is passively teaching. There is no getting around its superficial messages and reductionistic methods to distract users away from real life. James’s call is not to rid ourselves of technology or digital mediums, but to pay attention to its messages, i.e., the “digital liturgies,” and mindfully hold it up against the message that will not perish, from the One whom death could not hold. I believe this is an important read for all.

Digital Liturgies is not an anti-technology book. It is an awareness of technology book. Samuel James provides tremendous insight with the support of a wide variety of thinkers into how our online environment is changing our lives and what we can do to remain in the world, but counteract the effects of it.

Samuel James helps highlight that it’s not simply a matter of content consumed online, it’s the very nature of the internet itself that has major effects on our minds and souls such as disembodied and dehumanizing lifestyles—the exact opposite of what a Christian is called to. Samuel helps us be wise and intentional with the internet—thinking through the theology of our digital lives. I highly recommend.

This book considers the values and worldview that are implicit in the internet and particularly social media that correlate to a spike in loneliness, depression and suicide rates globally. From the perspective of an evangelical Christian the habits that are inculcated by repeated use of the internet itself are compared to the teachings on Wisdom in Proverbs, and suggestions are given on how to manage the subtle and barely perciptible shifts that accompany life online to achieve a more positive outlook on life.

We swim in a digital world but are unaware of the water that surrounds us. Samuel James inches us to see the which were immersed in.