Book Review: The Next Story by Tim Challies

"I'd like to invite you to join me as we think about the 'next story,' a story we are living right now--life after the digital explosion. We'll explore some suggestions and ideas for how we as Christians can live in this new reality with character, virtue, and wisdom. And we'll examine how we can respond to these revolutionary changes as followers of Christ in a digital age, learning to live faithfully as the next story unfolds."

So writes popular Christian blogger and author Tim Challies, in the introduction to The Next Story: Life and Faith after the Digital Explosion, which takes a look at the digital world of mobile phones, computers, and the Internet. Part 1 considers "how God intended technology to function in the world he created." From that Challies seeks to gain an understanding of "what is always true about the relationship between humans and their technologies." Finally, the author addresses the history of technology--how we have gotten to where we are today. In part 2, Challies proposes ways we can live wisely in the digital age, using our technologies instead of allowing them to use us.

In the first part, then, Challies lays down foundational principles about technology and its use. Christians must understand that technology is a good, God-given gift  that is, like everything else, subject to the curse. Humans can use technology in a manner that glorifies God or to further our own sin by turning it into an idol.

He then looks at the effects technology is having on society and individuals, pointing out that in our excitement over a new technology, we fail to recognize the disadvantages that come along with it. He also reminds readers that within the technologies we use are biases that predispose us to see the world in one way and not another. In order to maintain our control over technology, we have to anticipate the changes that may result as we use it and respond to the changes with wisdom--admittedly not an easy task. Technology also affects ecology, promotes shifts in power (from old to young), and human biology, as scientists are now discovering the ways that our brains our changing as they are shaped by digital technology. Challies concludes part 1 by tracing the history of the technologies that have led us to the digital world of today.

Part 1 is significant and important, because by examining the theology, theory, and history behind digital technology, Challies moves beyond mere observation and opinion, and places the applications of part 2 in context. We see that technology is a good gift from God and understand that apart from our using it wisely, its effects, which can be bad as well as good, can overwhelm us, and we turn something good into something idolatrous. The chapter on the history of technology follows. As an editor, I might have organized the book differently, putting the history chapter before the others because it just makes sense to me to explain what the subject is and how we've gotten to where we are before we delve into the theology and theory of technology. It feels a little anticlimactic by the time the reader reaches this chapter, but the content is important, and the question of organization is a minor one.

Part 2 is eye-opening, convicting, and thought provoking as Challies guides the reader into a deeper level of thought regarding the day to day use of the technologies that most of us think little of. Chapter 4 deals with the pervasiveness of communication today--has communication itself become an idol, are we using our words well to be an encouragement. In chapter 5, Challies looks at how mediated our communication with others has become; we tend to avoid face-to-face contact and send emails rather than make phone calls. Chapter 6 deals with digital distractions and how they affect the quality and quantity of our work and steal us away from our families and friends. The subject of chapter 7, information and informationism, forces us to consider our information sources and recognize what information actually promotes knowledge and wisdom.

I personally found chapters 8 and 9 particularly informative. Chapter 8 considers information and authority, and takes a close look at search engines and Wikipedia. While I knew that Wikipedia was not necessarily a reliable source of information, I couldn't have explained exactly why. Challies shows how our notion of truth--and how truth is determined--is changing in light of Wikipedia and search engines. The shift to truth by consensus and majority opinion rather than authority is disturbing. Chapter 9 deals with privacy and visibility and how everything we do online leaves a permanent data trail that, were it revealed, would in many cases be at the least embarrassing and at the most incriminating.

The Next Story is important for its pioneering effort to understand biblically what technology is, how it affects us, and how we can use it wisely to glorify God. It answers the questions that not enough Christian technology users are even aware they should be asking, and it answers them in a wise and discerning fashion. With its "application" sections and questions for discussion, this is an ideal book for families and youth groups--in fact, technology users of all ages. Tim Challies has done a great job of showing us how to take our thoughts about technology and its use captive to the obedience of Christ.