TGC: "The Case for Tech-Wise Churches"
“The greatest threat facing the church today is not atheism or secularism, scientism or legalism, racism or nationalism. The greatest threat facing the church today is digital technology,” writes Brad East, provocatively arguing for screen-free churches.
This spring marks the fifth anniversary of COVID-19, which caused churches around the world to close their doors and resort to prerecorded or live-streamed services. But those temporary concessions rapidly became staples of many local churches, perhaps permanently altering the ecclesial landscape.
Nothing has shaped our view of church (or ecclesiology) the way technology has, especially over the past five years, and we need to pay attention to what’s happening. Before we jump to creative ways digital technology can help the church do things, we need to wisely consider what the church is and how we can carefully deploy technologies in ways that enhance—rather than undermine—the church’s nature and mission.
This excerpt is from “The Case for Tech-Wise Churches” at The Gospel Coalition (April 9, 2025).