The internet has changed life as we know it for the foreseeable future. Despite the benefits of recent technological tools, we are experiencing a phenomenon that should be of grave concern to pastors, parents, and Christian leaders. Some notable authors have high-lighted how technological advances are hindering learning and even re-wiring the brain.

Brett McCracken and Ivan Mesa continue the discussion in their recent book, Scrolling Ourselves to Death: Reclaiming Life in a Digital Age. The editors of this fine book lock arms with a formidable team of pastors and Christian thinkers who are committed to offering biblical solutions in a world that is being manipulated by technological pirates, through artificial intelligence and algorithms. 

The book draws some of its most potent material from Neil Postman’s book, Amusing Ourselves to Death, first published in 1985. Postman’s warning was à propos at the end of the twentieth century. It is even more serious now. Scrolling Ourselves to Death begins by focusing on Postman’s insights. Patrick Miller writes insightfully, “Your phone is a digital syringe. It’s a gateway to lifelong, brain-altering, relationship-destroying addiction.” Such a warning should cause readers to pause and reflect, leading them to the next section.

The book continues by noting some practical challenges that face Christian communicators. Matters of apologetics, epistemology, and theology are explored, all subjects that make good use of Postman’s timely observations. Thaddeus Williams makes the keen observation that “Christianity scratches humanity’s deepest existential itches for relationship, freedom, mystery, beauty, awe, hope, and more.” This powerful reality is seen throughout the book and serves as a testament to the authority of God’s word.

The book concludes with a section that provides insight on how the church can minister to a “scrolling death” world. Technological advances are not cast aside here; rather, their use is encouraged with the caveat of caution. In an especially illuminating chapter, Read Mercer Schuchardt never repudiates the use of technology or media. But he admonishes readers to embrace their mission. He writes:

Go touch grass. Put down the phone, give up the screen, and initiate: no matter your age, stop scrolling and start your life. You need only ten thousand hours of deliberate practice to get good at something worth doing, and you’ve got that in spades if you give up the 10.85 hours per day currently devoted to media. That’s just 749 days to get really good at your skill, art, trade, or craft; that’s just two years, which is half the time it takes to acquire a college education.

Scrolling Ourselves to Death is a much-needed work. The authors pick up where Postman left off and offer readers a smorgasbord of practice tools for moving into the future with an eye on the gospel and a heart for the kingdom of God.