Faith and Identity in an online community

[Michigander]

I am interested in the intersection of faith and personal identity in an online community like this one. That´s one of the reasons I joined the Puritan Board. I come from a Reformed background and make my living in the Reformed world and I am also working on a paper for my PhD that delves into Faith and personal identity in an online community. Some of the questions I´m interested in include:
1. In Western culture, where modern-day faith is often something seen as very private, why would so many of us post our deepest questions of faith on something as public as the WWW?
2. What is the relationship between a screen-name and a real name? Is the screen name a virtual clue reflecting our virtual identities, since most of us will never meet? Or is it just a name?
3. Why, if I may ask, have some of you joined this community of online fellow travelers? It seems almost all of us are active and involved in a Real Life world of faith (our local churches), so what would inspire us to join a virtual world of faith?
To be fair to you fellow PBers, I am writing a paper on this topic. The only person who will see it is my proff, it is not for a dissertation, etc. I would love to hear your thoughts on some of these issues. Thanks!

 

[SolaScriptura]

1. In Western culture, where modern-day faith is often something seen as very private, why would so many of us post our deepest questions of faith on something as public as the WWW?

First, I think you'd agree that most Reformed folks don't believe that religious belief and practice should be "very private!" Second, for me it boils down to a desire for community and a desire to interact with people all over the country (and world!) with whom I share a basic common bond of agreement. Plus, it's just plain old fun!

2. What is the relationship between a screen-name and a real name? Is the screen name a virtual clue reflecting our virtual identities, since most of us will never meet? Or is it just a name?

In my case, my screen name reflects something that I value, though the context of this board "helps" me select which value is manifest by my screen name.

3. Why, if I may ask, have some of you joined this community of online fellow travelers? It seems almost all of us are active and involved in a Real Life world of faith (our local churches), so what would inspire us to join a virtual world of faith?

I don't believe that I view this board as a "world of faith" in the same way as I view my church involvement. This board affords me the opportunity to interact with folks at a different level than I can at my local church, but I don't "lean on" the members of this board, or get involved in their lives, like I do with those in my local congregation. Again, I'd point you to the fun and encouragement that comes with interacting with a group of people from very diverse backgrounds, yet with whom I share bonds of commonality.

To be fair to you fellow PBers, I am writing a paper on this topic. The only person who will see it is my proff, it is not for a dissertation, etc. I would love to hear your thoughts on some of these issues. Thanks!

Don't worry... you have my permission to use my signature information/comments in your academic material.
Ben

[Edited on 4-2-2005 by SolaScriptura]

 

[Anton Bruckner]

its easy to meet a Nerdy fellow believer online who is well versed in scripture so as to answer difficult questions that arise :

sorry brothers heheheehhe its easy to come online, pop a question and have it answered within a day, than going on a telephone, callilng up a fellow believer, leaving a message etc.

 

[Robin]

Hi Mark,

What an interesting topic! I would love to see your paper on it (if possible) when it's done...

Before I weigh-in...allow me to finally complement Keon for his signature. I think the picture says a lot about his attitude towards the Christian fight in our time of which I agree...and am prone to reflect upon the Battle of Pelenor Fields as a like-scenario.

Much of what Ben has said holds true for me as well.

I think expressing ourselves so publically could have something to do with our various frustrations - appropriate to our being in the "already and not yet" tension of Christian life, here in the "present evil age."

Many of us have travelled (are travelling) to the Reformed position from near-heretical; many times, greviously weak theology---sometimes, staunch heretical places (I know of a former-Mormon-turned Reformed.) The strong emotions of our former lives impacts in powerful, real ways.

If we are truly Christ's --- called out to be His....we will come from many places theologically; with that comes the baggage. Our humanity groans to make sense of it all...and also yearns for that connection of Faith, rightly marking the One True Religion on earth.

My church is filled with "refugees" from mostly evangelical roots: CGM; ex-Pentecostal; ex-Arminian/California/Jesus People types. Though, it might help our felt needs to hear admonishments (catering to background) from the pulpit, the pastor is determined to preach Christ, instead. Straight-up, without a water-back.

It's been said that becoming Reformed is a process and takes time. I know of one husband (who's wife became Reformed) and is furious that he's "been wrong" for thirty years--as he was raised Pentecostal. The anger plays out in bitter exchanges at home. Pride keeps him from truly bending the knee to Christ's rule in the heart. Yet, the wife clings to the Gospel: the Word and Sacraments. The story is both heartbreaking and exciting....the day may come when the husband repents. God only knows.

There are stories to tell....the refugees each have a story...we all have them....

Mike Horton is right to notice that humans MUST live by narrative -- by stories. It is in our nature. Does this have something to do with the Imago Dei and God - the Divine Author, of the Greatest Story Ever Told? I think so.

In many ways, maybe we're like Martin Luther, nailing up the thesis. ???

And maybe, if we look even closer....we notice that beneath it all, it IS a battle about words and ideas -- which comports with Scripture's role in sending out the Message of Messages in the whole of human language. I wonder if this is somehow connected to Scripture's mention of the "knowledge of God fills the whole earth"? Mysterious...

Humans are communicators and "reflectors" -- that need is there to send the message out....

Curiouser and curiouser

Robin

[Edited on 4-2-2005 by Robin]

 

[Michigander]

Thanks for some great insights into this topic. There's a lot to learn, that's for sure.
Ben, I agree with you that religious belief and practice should not be private, but openess is counter-cultural. I find it interesting now as we wait the death of the Pope that TV shows, websites and chat rooms are awash in spiritual talk, church choirs as bumper music, etc. When the story dies, so too, I think, will this openness about faith and it's role in daily life.
You also said you don't view the PB as a "world of faith," in comparison with an actual church. If it's not a world of faith, or a "place" of faith, or a "gathering" of the faithful, to use other words, what do you see this online community as? I'm not trying to pick on you Ben, I ask that of anyone who cares to answer. Is this a community, even though we will never meet, never shake hands, never pray together? If it is, what makes it a community?
Robin, based on your comments, can I say you view your membership on the PB as a place to meet like-minded believers and that's one (THE?) reason for your participation?
Do you have any sense of how many PBers are, as you say, from those other backgrounds and may be on this site to find solace in like-minded people? I found your analogy of refugees fascinating, hadn't thought of it like that and will now have to mull over that for awhile! Reading between the lines you wrote and maybe going way too far with it, PB is full of refugees on the way to Reformed-ness who need to tell, hear and share stories along the way as part of the journey.
I'm getting way too long here, let me cut it at that. Thanks for thoughtful responses!

 

[Robin]

Originally posted by Michigander
Robin, can I say you view your membership on the PB as a place to meet like-minded believers and that's one (THE?) reason for your participation?
Do you have any sense of how many PBers are, as you say, from those other backgrounds and may be on this site to find solace in like-minded people? I found your analogy of refugees fascinating, hadn't thought of it like that and will now have to mull over that for awhile! Reading between the lines you wrote and maybe going way too far with it, PB is full of refugees on the way to Reformed-ness who need to tell, hear and share stories along the way as part of the journey.

Mark,

I suppose my reason is to meet others of like mind...I'm encouraged to hear what they have to say...to know that we're all struggling with Faith eventhough we're pretty sure of the confirmations of the confessions. Authentic Christianity includes frustration and messy-ness...questing and fears. We need to remember too that Matt's writings and studies are the main draw to this board. It's as though his questions affirmed our questions -- at least, some did for me.

I don't know if many at this board fit that "refugee" description. (You'd have to ask them.) I think some of us do. Some here are making way through "American" Christianity over to the Biblical kind...and have expressed themselves thus.

There is a modern Reformation afoot, you know. It's picking-up speed, I think. Yet, in the corporate Church, we are in very dark times, right now. Being able to reach out and learn how others in the Faith are doing and dealing with this interests and encourages me.

R.

 

[blhowes]

First, welcome to the forum. I'm glad you could join us.

Originally posted by Michigander
1. In Western culture, where modern-day faith is often something seen as very private, why would so many of us post our deepest questions of faith on something as public as the WWW?

I think if you followed most puritanboarders around for a while, you'd find at least one common denominator - they read a lot of books, mostly about some aspect dealing with knowing God and/or how God would have us to live and worship Him. I think the motivation to learn these types of things, and help others to learn them as well, is one reason why so many of us share our 'deepest questions of faith'. There's a drive to learn and an opportunity to interact with others who have already pondered those questions.

Originally posted by Michigander
2. What is the relationship between a screen-name and a real name? Is the screen name a virtual clue reflecting our virtual identities, since most of us will never meet? Or is it just a name?

Well, my screen-name is essentially my real name, with the exception that my screen-name also contains the initial to my wife's first name. Not very profound. Virtual clue? No, basically what you see is what you get.

Originally posted by Michigander
3. Why, if I may ask, have some of you joined this community of online fellow travelers? It seems almost all of us are active and involved in a Real Life world of faith (our local churches), so what would inspire us to join a virtual world of faith?

I initially came to the board to find out why paedobaptist's baptize babies. I had previously corresponded with a pastor online and I asked what were his biblical reasons for baptizing babies. He basically told me that I wouldn't find a verse that instructed parents to baptize babies, but in order to understand why, I'd have to first understand covenant theology. So, I started looking for a forum where I could learn about covenant theology and this is where my search lead me. Interestingly, I had come to this site (but not the forum) a week or so earlier from another message board. Somebody had posted a link to Matthew's retraction, where he began to explain why he changed from credobaptist to paedobaptist.

There's one thing I can do here that's pretty difficult to do at church, especially if I'm attending a baptist church. I can learn about covenant theology, infant baptism, etc., through the eyes of people who believe these things, rather than having it filtered through a baptist's understanding.

[Edited on 4-3-2005 by blhowes]

 

[strangerpilgrim]

I signed on because I work in a closed place with almost no fellowship, and not even a chrch to go to. When I can, I meet with other believers. When I can't, I stay at home of the L's Day and try to glorify Him in that scenario, too.

What little fellowship I do have is only of non-reformed. Don't get me wrong--any and all true believers are a delight to be with. But there is no chance for the kind of discussion that is here. Perhaps I can sum up the problem with J.C. Ryle's quote, which I am paraphrasing here I think, "intellectualism is not everything in religion, but it does not follow that it is therefore nothing at all."

My screen name has a two-fold function. For one, it indicates my primary thoughts about life here on this earth. Perhaps because of the place I work and the troubles inherent, being a "strangerpilgrim" is something that sits closer to the front of the brain. For another, the exact wording of the screen name is to fit with my family's screen names. We are very close and very strongly reformed, though we see each other only rarely. My father's are debtor2grace and gracealone, my mother's allofgrace, my sister's cloudypillar, and mine strangerpilgrim and appointedtolife. (Sadly, my brother's have strayed a bit and used just their names...:bigsmile

As for why we would post, I agree with two reasons given above: first, that these things are supposed to be public, and second that it is easy here to get a quick answer and to know that your answers are coming from a broad spectrum of sound, solid believers--different denominations, different backgrounds, different ages, different education levels, some church officers, some teachers, some students, some professionals of many different kinds...that is something I, and many, have no other access to.

 

[ReformedWretch]

Intresting....

1. In Western culture, where modern-day faith is often something seen as very private, why would so many of us post our deepest questions of faith on something as public as the WWW?

I believe mosr sincere Christians do not want their faith to be private, we want to shout it from the rooftops.

2. What is the relationship between a screen-name and a real name? Is the screen name a virtual clue reflecting our virtual identities, since most of us will never meet? Or is it just a name?

I used to be a "house parent" for a childrens home, for 12 long years.

3. Why, if I may ask, have some of you joined this community of online fellow travelers? It seems almost all of us are active and involved in a Real Life world of faith (our local churches), so what would inspire us to join a virtual world of faith?

I simply do not know many Reformed Calvinists, even including my church. THose in my church are all at least 10-15 years older than me or have many children at home. My wife and I have one daughter who has her own apartment and is in college. I love this place and I have no idea how often I would ever have to hold spiritual conversations without it.

 

[Michigander]

Your answers, reflecting a hunger for communion and knowledge, remind me that so often, those who are able to feed at the Reformed trough on a regular basis, don't know how good they have it. It's not wasted, but it's not used to anywhere near full potential, either. Thanks for this wonderful discussion.

As for why we would post, I agree with two reasons given above: first, that these things are supposed to be public, and second that it is easy here to get a quick answer and to know that your answers are coming from a broad spectrum of sound, solid believers--different denominations, different backgrounds, different ages, different education levels, some church officers, some teachers, some students, some professionals of many different kinds...that is something I, and many, have no other access to.

In a real-world discussion of serious things like this, body language, facial gestures, attention span, things like that, speak multitudes about whether or not the person you're talking to is taking you/topic seriously and if he/she can be trusted. In an online community like this, how do you make those judgements?

There is a modern Reformation afoot, you know. It's picking-up speed, I think. Yet, in the corporate Church, we are in very dark times, right now. Being able to reach out and learn how others in the Faith are doing and dealing with this interests and encourages me.

And me! Is this website, and others like it, part of that Reformation? Is it picking up speed because people like us can talk about it and in pre-www days, we'd most-likely never meet? Is the Reformation (in its historical, traditional sense) being Reformed through sites like the PB? Is this discussion board a modern-day equivalent to the Wittenburg church door in 1517 and Luther's use of Gutenburg?

I'd also like to revisit my earlier question of what is community. Someone mentioned they did not see this as a community of faith. If not, what is it? If so, what makes this a "community"? A community is generally a group of people living on a street or in proximity to one-another. Can we be community if we're pretty sure we'll never see one another this side of heaven? If so, what makes us community?

I sure appreciate your insights and patience as I wrestle with some of these issues!

 

[Scott Bushey]

1. In Western culture, where modern-day faith is often something seen as very private, why would so many of us post our deepest questions of faith on something as public as the WWW?

For me, this is an obvious extension of Christs church. The likemindedness is exhortive and beneficial to one's walk with the Lord.

2. What is the relationship between a screen-name and a real name? Is the screen name a virtual clue reflecting our virtual identities, since most of us will never meet? Or is it just a name?

Self explanatory in my case.

3. Why, if I may ask, have some of you joined this community of online fellow travelers? It seems almost all of us are active and involved in a Real Life world of faith (our local churches), so what would inspire us to join a virtual world of faith?

See answer # 1