The Impotent God of Social Media
I have written a number of articles expressing my displeasure for memes, quotes, and proof texts by Christians on social media. These often result in bad theology and confusion. In this article, I wish to address the deficient deity, often represented by well-meaning Christians.
Before social media, Christians would sometimes speak their faith. It does not mean that anyone’s theology has changed because of new means of expression. However, when a social media post has been created, it lingers much longer than the spoken word. Christians who may be too timid to speak their faith in the public square, may be more bold in posting something theological, in the semi-public forum of their “friends” on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
I am very limited in my use of social media, which means, I write with a singular scope and a very small sampling of examples. What terrifies me, however, is the prospect of how much worse it is than my very limited exposure.
The worst source of these disturbing posts is from “Sponsored” advertisements on Facebook…by churches. I am sure my algorithm profile ensures I receive marketing, from every religious organization that chooses to spend money to promote themselves, in my local area (that’s another article, for another day, on the ethics of selling yourself in the marketplace…for Jesus).
The god being promoted by these churches and individuals is “wanting,” “desiring,” and “longing.” In other words, he is an impotent god because he does not have something he wishes he did have. The root of this false god being promoted by Christians is in man-centered theology championed by the wicked intrusion of psychology into the church.
At first, the pastor was overlooked, in favor of a Christian counselor. He could not beat them, so he joined them. In order to avoid being disregarded, pastors began to pursue degrees in biblical counseling, rather than higher degrees in divinity, theology, languages, history, or systematics. Churches who “wanted,” “desired,” and “longed for” a Christian counselor on staff, can now have him in the pulpit, for group therapy on Sunday morning.
Whereas, in days gone by, man-centered preachers would preach man-centered theology from the pulpit, today, they preach psychology with token references from the Bible to make it appear Christian. When these charlatans proclaim their message, invariably “god” will be some poor, needy fellow trying to make it through another day. He is not a bad god, just impotent in his endeavor to love everyone, everywhere.
It is sad to imagine that this loving god, so wanting to do something for you, but because he is wanting, it is proof that he cannot do as he intends. It is also sad that most Christians, and the churches promoting this god, are oblivious to what they are posting. No doubt, these Christians are also longing to be faithful witnesses, but psychology and man-centered theology have little interest in the sovereign God of the Bible.
If they did have an interest, their message posted on social media would be more in alignment with historical Christianity, and its message calling all men everywhere to repent of their sins (Acts 17:30). They would be posting text quotes such as, “But our God sits in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases (Ps 115:3; 135:6).” With unashamed confidence, they would post that God does all His holy will (Eph 1:11), according to His eternal purpose, carried out in Christ Jesus (Eph 3:11).
In fact, what God in Christ has done would be the centerpiece of their social media presence (Rom 1:16–17; 1 Cor 2:2). After all, God’s works were finished from the foundation of the world (Heb 4:3). God is not waiting, nor wanting, or hoping, or longing. Rather, He has decreed all that shall come to pass, and in His providence He is accomplishing it with perfection (Ps 37:5; Is 26:12; 42:9; 65:24; Lam 3:37; Ezek 33:33).
The God of the Bible, in contrast with the impotent god of Christian social media, is all-wise, all-knowing, all-powerful, to appoint and to execute, to will and to do His good pleasure (Phil 2:13).
Christian, make sure you are promoting the right God on social media. If there is doubt, learn Christ all the more, before you misrepresent Him any further. Consider as bad examples those forerunners of media manipulation: Billy Graham and his easy-believism; Benny Hinn and his begging for money; Norman Vincent-Peale and Robert Schuller with their psychology; and Rick Warren with his egalitarianism and syncretism.
Tweets and posts of memes, quotes and proof texts are dangerous enough, in sending the wrong message. If one adds to that an impotent god, with inadequate theology, it is not a Gospel witness. Sadly, it is a misrepresentation that keeps unbelieving “friends” in the darkness of deception.
In love, I do my best to warn my friends when they are posting bad theology, but I have yet to be warmly received. I do try to add Scriptural support and a humble apology when offering correction, but it is not much fun for me to be the theology police. Therefore, I pray that all Christians everywhere would take heed and think twice before they present their wanting, desiring, longing god. He may be the prominent god of Christian social media, but He is in no way the God of the Bible.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
September 29, 2022
