Dustin Marlowe

If you are an ordained minister or credentialed academic and concerned about the disproportionate influence that "social media influencers" are having, one plea I can make is: speak up. The simple fact is that spiritual hunger and anxiety is so desperate right now that if people don't find good teachers and mentors, they will learn from bad ones. For better or worse, social media is shaping people. I know that social media has all kinds of problems, but the missiological needs are so deep, and so real. And if you are hesitant about leaning in, you may be the kind of person who is most needed--especially if you have a track record of ministry faithfulness and/or academic work. I write this as someone who divides time between social media, local church, and academics. Observing these different spaces, my heart is burdened for young people. They need spiritual fathers and mothers. Yes, social media has many dangers. But aloofness from real need is also a danger. Not everyone is called to this, but it is worth considering. I never thought I would get involved, but its also a lot of fun, and you can make some terrific friends along the way.

My view on debates: they aren’t a do-or-die battle to prove which side is right. They’re a modest tool—a way to test ideas, complement (and encourage) deeper research, and even enjoy the search for truth. For every debate we watch, we should read a book (or a few).