The Internet as Spiritual Half-Way House

One of the ongoing debates in the blogosphere is the debate as to what degree of actual community is available on the internet.  I wrestled with these issues in some interaction with Andrew Careaga here, and here.  Today I came across some good thoughts from Mark Strom on the situation in his book Reframing Paul.

Recently I have joined new worlds of conversation on the Internet.  Many people are troubled by the proliferation of "virtual" relationships.  Me too.  Web romances have gone horribly wrong (so do "real" romances).  Some evangelical gatekeepers criticize those who find fellowship on the Web.  But this is to miss the blessing.  The Web is not a sustainable substitute for flesh and blood conversation and lvoe.  Almost everyone I have "met" on the Web acknowledges this.  But it is a meeting place for many who otherwise would disappear from any word of grace.  It is a realm in which people test out what it might mean to move from guilt and fear to grace and freedom.  And it is a halfway house for many to reframe what it means to believe.

Outstanding stuff, IMHO! The internet and blogosphere can't replace real face to face community, but they do become a halfway house for people - a safe place to check out the Christian faith.  I hope I can do my part to keep it safe and full of grace here at Jollyblogger.

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