To tweet or not
14/02/16 05:16
I have a twitter account, but about the only thing I tweet is a monthly announcement that the church news letter is now available and give the location. If you read this blog, you’ll probably understand. I tend to think in essays, writing a thousand words or so with each blog entry. A tweet is 140 characters. That’s not much. I’ve already written more than that just to explain my attitude towards tweets.
I suppose that if Jesus had had a twitter account, he might have been quite good. Here are some examples of tweets that Jesus might have sent. Each is under the character count:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Of course the report we have is that Jesus put all of these together in a single sermon. And the last one is just a little bit too long:
“Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
There is an analogue version of twitter that is easy to find if you drive around our community. It is a process that I call “ministry by aphorism:” the signs and digital letter boards that appear outside of churches. You can find the messages all over the Internet:
“Walmart is not the only saving place.”
“Forbidden fruit creates many jams.”
“Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, leave the rest to God.”
“Baptism separates the tire kickers from the car buyers.”
“Stop posting made up quotes” — Mark Twain
I’m not sure whether or not that last one is a made up quote.
Fortunately, our church’s new sign has no letter board. I don’t have to figure out what to put up on the sign that might be both clever and honest. I don’t think there is much that can be said about the true nature of faith in such short phrases.
But, as I said, Jesus seemed to be better at it than I am:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”
The problem with many short phrases is that it is quite possible for a casual reader to take them the wrong way. You might intend one meaning, but the reader might take away another. That can, of course, happen with longer forms of discourse. I’m frequently surprised when a church member tells me of something I said in a sermon that I don’t think I would have said.
Those who post a lot of tweets sooner or later find themselves swept up in controversy when their posts are misinterpreted, and just as frequently when they post something that they later wish they had not.
Recently the Church of England was the topic of much discussion in the world of twitter when they tweeted “Prayers for Prof Dawkins and his family”
Richard Dawkins is a biologist and prominent secularist. His book “The God Delusion” has become a favorite of atheists and others who criticize religion. On February 5, he fell ill while on a tour of Australia and New Zealand. He spent four days at John Radcliffe Hospital but appears to be recovering well.
Some people, however, saw the church’s post as “trolling” or mocking the professor. I suspect that they are wrong. I believe that church leaders who make the posts were genuinely wishing Professor Dawkins well. We are taught to pray at all times for all people. Prayer and compassion are not limited to those who are in our group, or those with whom we agree. And for those of us who believe, God’s grace is not limited to the people we find similar to ourselves. It is abundant and sufficient for all. I find nothing mocking or offensive in joining in prayer for a public figure.
But it does point out the problem of short phrases that are trying to express very nuanced ideas. Dawkins himself can’t be understood in 140 characters or less. His book is very complex and express views that have to be carefully examined to be understood. I don’t agree with everything he says, but I do sense his intelligence and feel that his ideas are worthy of conversation. I would never wish him ill or see him as an enemy.
There is a danger in all writing of being misunderstood or reduced to simple ideas. That danger seems more intense with the world of twitter.
But then, I’ve never been good at social media. I try to keep up, but I don’t find it to be a good way of pursuing relationships with others. I much prefer actual conversation to many of the things that are posted on the Internet. Even someone I know well, like my sister, occasionally posts something that leaves me scratching my head and wondering what was meant.
I’m thinking it might have been more meaningful for the Church of England to send a private card to Dawkins wishing him well. There was no particular need for a public statement in what might have been clear and meaningful as a private conversation.
Then, again, I’m the wrong person to offer any expertise on that subject. I’m no good at promotion and publicity. In that I think I’m following Jesus, who also didn’t worry about such things. That was left to the writers of the Gospels, whose works seem to have withstood the test of time.
I suppose that if Jesus had had a twitter account, he might have been quite good. Here are some examples of tweets that Jesus might have sent. Each is under the character count:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Of course the report we have is that Jesus put all of these together in a single sermon. And the last one is just a little bit too long:
“Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
There is an analogue version of twitter that is easy to find if you drive around our community. It is a process that I call “ministry by aphorism:” the signs and digital letter boards that appear outside of churches. You can find the messages all over the Internet:
“Walmart is not the only saving place.”
“Forbidden fruit creates many jams.”
“Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, leave the rest to God.”
“Baptism separates the tire kickers from the car buyers.”
“Stop posting made up quotes” — Mark Twain
I’m not sure whether or not that last one is a made up quote.
Fortunately, our church’s new sign has no letter board. I don’t have to figure out what to put up on the sign that might be both clever and honest. I don’t think there is much that can be said about the true nature of faith in such short phrases.
But, as I said, Jesus seemed to be better at it than I am:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”
The problem with many short phrases is that it is quite possible for a casual reader to take them the wrong way. You might intend one meaning, but the reader might take away another. That can, of course, happen with longer forms of discourse. I’m frequently surprised when a church member tells me of something I said in a sermon that I don’t think I would have said.
Those who post a lot of tweets sooner or later find themselves swept up in controversy when their posts are misinterpreted, and just as frequently when they post something that they later wish they had not.
Recently the Church of England was the topic of much discussion in the world of twitter when they tweeted “Prayers for Prof Dawkins and his family”
Richard Dawkins is a biologist and prominent secularist. His book “The God Delusion” has become a favorite of atheists and others who criticize religion. On February 5, he fell ill while on a tour of Australia and New Zealand. He spent four days at John Radcliffe Hospital but appears to be recovering well.
Some people, however, saw the church’s post as “trolling” or mocking the professor. I suspect that they are wrong. I believe that church leaders who make the posts were genuinely wishing Professor Dawkins well. We are taught to pray at all times for all people. Prayer and compassion are not limited to those who are in our group, or those with whom we agree. And for those of us who believe, God’s grace is not limited to the people we find similar to ourselves. It is abundant and sufficient for all. I find nothing mocking or offensive in joining in prayer for a public figure.
But it does point out the problem of short phrases that are trying to express very nuanced ideas. Dawkins himself can’t be understood in 140 characters or less. His book is very complex and express views that have to be carefully examined to be understood. I don’t agree with everything he says, but I do sense his intelligence and feel that his ideas are worthy of conversation. I would never wish him ill or see him as an enemy.
There is a danger in all writing of being misunderstood or reduced to simple ideas. That danger seems more intense with the world of twitter.
But then, I’ve never been good at social media. I try to keep up, but I don’t find it to be a good way of pursuing relationships with others. I much prefer actual conversation to many of the things that are posted on the Internet. Even someone I know well, like my sister, occasionally posts something that leaves me scratching my head and wondering what was meant.
I’m thinking it might have been more meaningful for the Church of England to send a private card to Dawkins wishing him well. There was no particular need for a public statement in what might have been clear and meaningful as a private conversation.
Then, again, I’m the wrong person to offer any expertise on that subject. I’m no good at promotion and publicity. In that I think I’m following Jesus, who also didn’t worry about such things. That was left to the writers of the Gospels, whose works seem to have withstood the test of time.