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The Internet and the Church

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Basically every good, bad, or ugly piece of information is available online, something also true of print, radio and television. A key difference between these mediums and Internet, however, is that via the Internet, information can be found faster and easier. The challenge is to avoid even the temptation of evil, while using the Internet to proclaim the Good News and support those who are working to spread the Gospel.

In the first century many spoke Greek, and Roman roads allowed unprecedented mobility. A common language and a web of roads allowed the gospel to spread quickly; the Roman Empire brought a large part of the world together.

Today a corporate empire is allowing over 90 percent of the computers in the world to speak a common language. Today that is Microsoft. In a few years it could be the computer language JAVA or JINI, but for now it is Windows. More and more people outside the United States are getting online. Most speak English but with advances in translation software, web pages and emails can be translated in a flash.

Right now some 100 million people use the Internet, but Intel predicts that 1 billion computers will be networked in the world in less than 10 years.

We are looking at the beginning of a revolution. The Internet will not only change the way people communicate but also change education, shopping habits, cultures -- even whole economies. African nations that were never part of the Industrial Revolution are beginning to get "Plugged In" to take advantage of e-commerce. The U.S. Department of Commerce and Jupiter Communications predict that in 2002 e-commerce transactions will grow to $300 billion annually.

That is only four years away.

Nielsen Media Research predicts that in less than two years over 50 percent of North Americans over the age of 16 will use the Internet. Europe, parts of Asia, North America, and South America are getting online at an explosive rate.

I can see several opportunities for the Church in this New World and New Economy.

Christian Organizations can develop compelling web sites that draw people and expose them to the gospel. CBNonline, for example, offers the entire Jesus Film in 15 language on its site, compliments of Campus Crusade for Christ. Other Christian Sites offer interesting information on subjects such as creationism or apologetics.

There are plenty of great ideas yet to be digitized and offered on the Internet. Online gaming, entertaining WebROMs, and inspirational music sites are just a few areas where Christians can impact the world for Christ.

Even now some Christian sites are reporting hundreds of salvations each month from their web site. I have personally shared the Good News with people in Israel, Turkey, Finland, Germany, Brazil, Japan, China and other countries in chat rooms. Some were very open. I know of people who consider it their ministry to chat with people who are interested in Jesus.

The Internet is also empowering missionaries and their organizations. Organizations such as The International Christian Technologists' Association is using the power of technology to, as they say, "Network for Global Breakthrough."

I'm sure Satan will continue to use the Internet as he uses print, radio and television. But Satan is defeated and he can deceive the nations no longer. Of course, our children should use filtering software and only use the Internet under supervision, but that doesn't mean some of us shouldn't aggressively share the Good News by any means necessary.

So let me encourage you not to focus primarily on the danger that the Internet poses for the Church. Instead, let us consider the great opportunities available to us to impact the world for our Lord.

"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."

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About The Author

Ken
Lubeck

Ken Lubeck is a contributing writer for CBN.com.