What has the Internet and social media done to our souls? In Analog Christian, Jay Y. Kim helps you cultivate contentment, resilience, and wisdom in the digital age.
Discipleship in the Digital Age
Published only two years after his first book, Analog Church, Jay Y. Kim makes sense of the state of our discipleship in the digital age. While Analog Church looked at true Christian community, Analog Christian examines true Christian discipleship. He concludes that our spiritual formation is shaped by our digital lives.
As the effects of the pandemic push on, Kim sees how it has left a deficit in three key areas of his life: contentment, resilience, and wisdom. Our increasingly online lives and non-stop use of social media had left him spiritually dry. The book is divided into three sections that show us how he had helped cultivate these virtues once again.
Kim opens with a cut to the heart as he explains how our desires for “likes” will never fill our search for love. Instead of looking for approval on Instagram, we can find comfort in the fact that God already loves us. He tells a personal story of how he once experienced great love from his mother—similar to what Peter must have felt from our Lord after he was restored from his betrayal. Our sense of self is restored when we realize that being loved by God means more than being liked by the world.
Exposing Subtle Sins
What Kim does exceptionally well is expose our subtle sins. I was most interested in Chapter 4, where Kim shines the light on our lack of patience. The digital age has brought us unprecedented speed, and it has left our spiritual lives in the dust. He reminds us of Jesus, who lived a decidedly unhurried life. While he had much to do, and with his work being urgent, he remained resigned to his Father’s timetable. Kim calls us to remain in Jesus—to truly abide in him. We allow time to grow branches from the vine. Relationships require long-suffering. And in it all, Kim promises that we will find life to be worth living.
I was most challenged to see how achieving cultural relevance can come at the cost of faithfulness. Celebrity, status, and fame are constantly in front of our eyes. We can even see it in Christian culture. But Kim urges us to ordinary faithfulness. And when we are paralyzed by our own unbelief, we can trust that God remains faithful even when we are not.
Unplug from the Digital Domain
This book is for those who are weary of the online world. It is a call to come back to God’s Word, allowing it to shape your heart more than social media. It is a summons to spend time with Jesus more than chasing clout and influence.
Pastors will find that they don’t have to feel the push and pull of trending topics. Teens don’t have to fall into the comparison trap. Working adults and parents alike don’t have to chase after achievements and approval. Unplug from the digital domain. Plant your soul near streams of living water.
I received a media copy of Analog Christian, and this is my honest review.
Watch an interview of Jay Y. Kim and SOLA Network in which he discusses his previous book, Analog Church. A transcript is also provided.