Here is a very interesting post by fellow Ridley student, Dave Hughes (although I don't think we've ever actually had a conversation) about the medium and the message of the gospel and how both can and do change over time.
Interesting. Here's a quote to entice you to head on over and read the full post:
What we seem to miss is that the medium is the message. Yes, the Reformers changed the form that the message was being communicated through, but they also changed the message. What makes us think that the message won’t change in this new cultural revolution fueled by the rapid surge in new technology? You change the medium you change the message, you change the message, you change the medium – the two are intrinsically and irreversibly linked.
There is a good book out about this. I think it is called flickering pixels by Shane Hipps. He's a Mennonite Pastor from the US who is a former advertisement exec.
Hey Chris!!
Yeah, I don't think we've ever had a conversation - though, I secretly respect and dig you from a far! Even more so when I discovered you love Seth Godin! haha, oh, and got a reprimand from the Anglicans about one of your posts??? :P
I haven't read Flickering Pixels yet, but Shane Hipps' earlier book called "The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture" (or something like that!) was brilliant. He highlights Marshall McLuhan's catch phrase, which I borrowed without acknowledging, that "the medium is the message."
I think his rationale is very persuasive - some people don't agree with me, but I still think it's crucial for us to think through how our medium clash with, back up, or reinforce the message we are trying to share.
Keep up the great blogging work mate! I enjoy reading your stuff...
Thanks Dave. And thanks for the recent Facebook friending. Will have to make a b-line for you at Ridley in the coming weeks!