When being behind the times puts you ahead of the game
Call us dinosaurs. Label us relics.
But here's the kicker:
We're proudly analog in a digital world.
Why?
'Cause God's truth doesn't need an upgrade.
In a world of:
• Viral trends
• Shifting morals
• "My truth" mantras
We're sticking to the original source code:
The Bible. Unchanged. Uncompromised.
Sure, we're called outdated.
But remember:
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." (Hebrews 13:8 KJV)
Outdated? Maybe.
Out of touch? Never.
We're touching eternity, folks.
So yeah, call us The Lord's Luddites.
We're smashing the machines of moral relativism.
With the hammer of God's unchanging Word.
Unfashionable? Perhaps.
Unfaithful? Not a chance.
In this high-speed, high-tech world,
We're choosing to buffer.
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God's timeless truths.
While others swipe left on tradition,
We're swiping right on righteousness.
"Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set." (Proverbs 22:28 KJV)
Our faith isn't a fad.
It's not a phase.
It's forever.
So when culture screams "Update!"
We hit "Remind me later."
Or better yet, "No thanks."
We're not anti-progress.
We're pro-eternal.
In a world of breakneck change,
We're the holy speed bump.
Slowing things down.
Making people think.
"Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls." (Jeremiah 6:16 KJV)
Old paths.
Good way.
Rest for our souls.
Sounds pretty cutting-edge to me.
So go ahead, world.
Call us backwards.
Label us Luddites.
We wear it as a badge of honor.
Because while you're chasing the next big thing,
We're holding onto the biggest thing of all:
God's unchanging love and truth.
In a world of spiritual software updates,
We're running the original operating system.
And guess what?
It's bug-free. Virus-proof. Eternally compatible.
So here's to the Lord's Luddites.
Standing firm in shifting sands.
Holding fast in rushing winds.
Shining bright in deepening darkness.
We may be behind the times,
But we're right on time with God's eternal clock.
And that, dear friends,
Is the ultimate innovation.
Just to develop these thoughts a little more, why do people not carry their Bible to church but instead stare at their phone or tablet during the reading or sermon? Analogue over digital every time, plus many scientific tests have shown that reading the printed page is cognitively better.
Also, the practice of putting the text up on a screen has a similar effect.
Furthermore, the simple act of carrying your Bible to church makes a statement.
Let’s stay as Luddites.
Thank you for this article. I am definitely a Luddite who carries and reads my Bible at church while almost everyone else looks at their phone or just sits and listens. I have felt it placed upon my heart lately to encourage people to read their physical (what my pastor refers to as codex) Bibles.
I don’t have a problem with using a phone as a tool in conjunction with the written Word (ex: comparing multiple translations at once, etc...) However, I do share the concerns about cognitive comprehention of what’s read digitally due to so many staring at a screen most of the day. Many studies have shown a strong correlation between anxiety and depression occurring in individuals who are addicted to their screens.
Additionally, I’m concerned about the role AI will play with the digital Word. Who’s to say that AI will not be used to manipulate God’s Word and deceive those who are not grounded in Scripture? There are already churches experimenting with chatbot AI church services.
Finally, I love the quote by Charles Spurgeon which says, “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” My codex Bible is my most prized possession. My prayer is to be able to pass it down to the next generation and for my loved ones to cherish it as much as I do.