The internet is awash with Christians posting character assassinations of other Christians, says Max Avard. If you have a problem with Bethel Church or wish Brandon Lake had not collaborated with Jelly Roll, perhaps a 60 second video on social media is not the answer. Here’s some suggestions to help us do better
What fills your Instagram feed?
Mine is currently a maelstrom of faith-based content. Rejoice you might think! Except that, instead of filling me up and sending me out, I tend to find myself more irked and riled up than ever before. That’s because the majority of what I’m being served is Christian hot takes, reaction videos and, well, character assassinations of fellow believers.
If it isn’t a tightly wound theologian telling me why worship artist Brandon Lake is a heretic, it’s an old school preacher branding Bethel as the Church of Satan, or a podcast bro handing liberal Christians their eviction notice.
Of course, everyone has a right to their opinion, and we should be wary of false teachers or wolves in sheep’s clothes. But I can’t help but feel that the endless streams of takedowns and cheap shots posted in 60 second snippets weren’t what Jesus intended when he spoke about rebuking one another.
With that in mind, here are five tips on how to respond to videos like these.
1. Context, context, context
Most of us know that taking the Bible out of context is a dangerous game. Yet we like to forget this when we’re deep into the rabbit hole of the internet. Instead of trying to understand why someone said something, we quickly jump to reasons why they shouldn’t have.
None of us like our words twisted, so let’s not pretend that a 30-second clip can give sufficient insight into someone’s views or beliefs. Take the time to watch the comment in its entirety. You’ll probably find you don’t have the time, so why worry so much about the clip in the first place?
2. Critique the content, not the person
The Wild West of social media means that in the space of a few minutes you can become both aware of someone and wildly offended by their views. How can someone who believes in Jesus say that?! you may ask. But before you get so hot and bothered, take a step back: what else do you know about the person in question? How would you describe their life, character or faith?
Takedowns and cheap shots weren’t what Jesus intended when he spoke about rebuking one another
I’m reminded of what my therapist once told me — we tend to judge others by their actions and ourselves by our intentions. Disagreeing with their remarks is one thing; making lofty statements about their salvation status or how you perceive the health of their marriage is another. If you really care about who they are, you’ll dig a little deeper.
3. Don’t join the pile-on
When a controversial video crops up, every seasoned scroller knows where the real entertainment lies: the comment section. In James 3:17, we read that the “wisdom from above” leads to a “harvest of righteousness”. I imagine most people in comment sections believe themselves to be righteous and acting out of love… but often it comes across as the exact opposite. A harvest of self-righteousness, if you will.
Firing off a snarky reply might feel good in the moment, but has anyone ever changed their mind because User30891 set them straight in the comments?
4. Content to make us discontent
Lots has been said about the way social media companies are doing everything they can to grab and retain our attention. In many ways, we shouldn’t be surprised. Your pastor is trying to do the same thing on a Sunday! Trying to keep people engaged isn’t malign, especially if what’s being said is “seasoned in salt” (Colossians 4:6).
It’s good to engage in the thorny issues of our faith, but given the algorithm favours contentious and fringe views, we should keep in mind what emotional response the creator is trying to make us feel. Because when it comes to short-form content, outrage sells like hot chocolates at a Christian festival.
5. Bible: Check!
Relying on strangers to tell you what’s biblically right from wrong…is, take it from this stranger, wrong! If someone makes a claim about scripture you’ve never heard before, don’t swallow it wholesale. Read up about it, gauge other opinions and, most importantly, head to the source material. The word of God is “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12) and “will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8). If in doubt, check the scripture out!
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