DISQUS

Justin, I hate that we don't know each other that well and I am always commenting on your blog now. I am a poser of the worst degree.

I think it is interesting (and I mean that in the Iowa way, as in wrong) that you use the phrase "true Christian community" along with quotes from Kinnaman quotes regarding internet "religious experiences". Are you suggesting that Christian community equals religious experiences? I think that these are separate issues. Is it possible to have a TEMPLE experience online? Or Acts 2 experiences?

I liken this thinking to something Bradshaw said on the WOW radio program, when he mentioned that he didn't want to get to heaven because he believed it would be much more dull than the rock-n-roll lifestyle that can be had here on earth. The problem with that line of thought is that people are living a life of sin looking for the feeling of connection, love, and acceptance that only comes from God. This applies to the internet church in that all the online communities that are taking place online are in replacement to personal Christian communities. People using the internet as the Christian community are doing so at the cost of a real-life, real-time relationship with others.

Take for instance you and I. I follow you on Twitter, comment on your blog (referring to you by your first name as if I KNOW you), and say hi to you when we see each other in public. This a pseudo connection, since it is predicated on a desire to promote our own agendas. We want lots of people to follow us on Twitter, comment on our blogs, and buy us coffee. If, indeed the internet is the place for Christian community, and I am not saying it isn't, I think it needs to get smaller, not larger. I have tons more to say, but I will wait to chance upon you at a coffee shop.

What you did on your blog is EXACTLY what I want to do! I cannot get Feedburner to read my URL that Google gave me. Any suggestions?