Christian Social Networks
Christian social networks are important for people who are looking for like-minded individuals to form friendships, dating and marriage relationships and in some cases, business partners. For those people who are attempting to follow biblical mandates, it's important that any meaningful relationship be one that involves two people committed to the discipleship of Jesus Christ. This all begins with a passage in II Corinthians 6:14 that says: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" Some people would view this as a form of religious narcissism, but is a way that God keeps a lot of heartache and trouble from occurring to His children. Christian online networks are designed to help people follow that biblical mandate. Sadly, in many cases this commandment is not followed by those in their first relationships, but learn the hard way that God knows what he is doing with such an edict. The tenor of the wording makes it clear that this is not a suggestion but a command.
The principle of being unequally yoked uses the imagery of oxen being arbitrarily hitched together which ought to tip the reader off that these mandate doesn't necessarily mean ordinary friendships. In fact, studies have proven that within two years of becoming a Christ follower, most people's stable of friendships are totally Christian, rendering that person almost useless in winning other people to Jesus Christ. The tendency to run to where one is most comfortable is certainly a huge downside to the concept of Christian social networks, and something that will be discussed later in this lens. But the tenor of the discussion of being unequally yoked is found in permanent types of relationships, whether the association be long term dating, and marriage or business associations. The clash of two different agendas when coming to money, values, child rearing and church involvement can cause huge rifts in relationships that cannot be overcome. So in this vein, Christian social networks can have a very strong part to play in doing things God's way.
Christian social networks can offer believers an opportunity to find suitable people to date and marry. There is always the objection that some Christ- following singles have to the idea of dating only other Christians. The command certainly does narrow the playing field quite dramatically. But the danger is in giving one's heart away to someone who does not have the same faith commitment. Once the affection has been transferred to another person who is clearly not a Christian, the unequally yoked prohibition is typically whitewashed as not being as important as the command once was and something that "can be worked out after we are married."
Certain Christian social networks that are specifically designed for dating do not make one's statement of faith a cornerstone of its provided service. This allows people who may be nominal church attendees but not disciples of Christ to post a profile. For many people, there has never been a concerted effort to understand the difference between calling oneself a Christian, and being committed to a lifestyle that models Christ-likeness. This failure by some Christian social networks to help people differentiate between the two is something of which a person using such a network ought to be aware. But these online network providers are not just for dating, they can be for discovering business contacts. If anyone was ever "yoked" with someone else, it is in a formal business partnership. And for some Christian businesspersons, finding a Christian business man or woman with whom to have a long-term business relationship can be a daunting task.
Imagine two persons, who have agreed to open a business together, each putting up their life savings to make it work. This business is a partnership hammered out in the crucible of good economic times, but then things sour and now there is an opportunity for the company to pull itself out of a long slump by doing some unethical business with a competitor. The Christian partner wants to trust God to get the company through by continuing to do above board business practices, even though the reality may mean closing the business doors. The other partner wants to do whatever it takes to survive. And suddenly, this isn't really about business but about a life philosophy of trusting God or playing circumstantial ethics. Unequally yoked suddenly becomes a noose around both of these business person's necks and the opportunity to find a suitable Christ-committed business partner on one of the Christian social networks only a memory in the distant past.
For many people, there is a calm and serene aspect to running to a Christ centered website to find friends, conversation and support. And sadly, for some people, these things may be more easily found at a website than at a local church. But for others, the running to these Christian social networks are only an excuse to stay out of the struggle for the minds of hearts of those who have not surrendered their hearts and lives to Jesus Christ. This struggle is very real as Paul described it: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12) The Christian is called to prepare for battle and be on the ocean fighting each day for the minds and heart of humanity, not remaining in safe havens where the battle has already been won. Christians must carefully balance out the need for rest and connection with their own (Christ-centered network websites) and getting out there on the high seas doing the work God has intended for us to do.
The principle of being unequally yoked uses the imagery of oxen being arbitrarily hitched together which ought to tip the reader off that these mandate doesn't necessarily mean ordinary friendships. In fact, studies have proven that within two years of becoming a Christ follower, most people's stable of friendships are totally Christian, rendering that person almost useless in winning other people to Jesus Christ. The tendency to run to where one is most comfortable is certainly a huge downside to the concept of Christian social networks, and something that will be discussed later in this lens. But the tenor of the discussion of being unequally yoked is found in permanent types of relationships, whether the association be long term dating, and marriage or business associations. The clash of two different agendas when coming to money, values, child rearing and church involvement can cause huge rifts in relationships that cannot be overcome. So in this vein, Christian social networks can have a very strong part to play in doing things God's way.
Christian social networks can offer believers an opportunity to find suitable people to date and marry. There is always the objection that some Christ- following singles have to the idea of dating only other Christians. The command certainly does narrow the playing field quite dramatically. But the danger is in giving one's heart away to someone who does not have the same faith commitment. Once the affection has been transferred to another person who is clearly not a Christian, the unequally yoked prohibition is typically whitewashed as not being as important as the command once was and something that "can be worked out after we are married."
Certain Christian social networks that are specifically designed for dating do not make one's statement of faith a cornerstone of its provided service. This allows people who may be nominal church attendees but not disciples of Christ to post a profile. For many people, there has never been a concerted effort to understand the difference between calling oneself a Christian, and being committed to a lifestyle that models Christ-likeness. This failure by some Christian social networks to help people differentiate between the two is something of which a person using such a network ought to be aware. But these online network providers are not just for dating, they can be for discovering business contacts. If anyone was ever "yoked" with someone else, it is in a formal business partnership. And for some Christian businesspersons, finding a Christian business man or woman with whom to have a long-term business relationship can be a daunting task.
Imagine two persons, who have agreed to open a business together, each putting up their life savings to make it work. This business is a partnership hammered out in the crucible of good economic times, but then things sour and now there is an opportunity for the company to pull itself out of a long slump by doing some unethical business with a competitor. The Christian partner wants to trust God to get the company through by continuing to do above board business practices, even though the reality may mean closing the business doors. The other partner wants to do whatever it takes to survive. And suddenly, this isn't really about business but about a life philosophy of trusting God or playing circumstantial ethics. Unequally yoked suddenly becomes a noose around both of these business person's necks and the opportunity to find a suitable Christ-committed business partner on one of the Christian social networks only a memory in the distant past.
For many people, there is a calm and serene aspect to running to a Christ centered website to find friends, conversation and support. And sadly, for some people, these things may be more easily found at a website than at a local church. But for others, the running to these Christian social networks are only an excuse to stay out of the struggle for the minds of hearts of those who have not surrendered their hearts and lives to Jesus Christ. This struggle is very real as Paul described it: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12) The Christian is called to prepare for battle and be on the ocean fighting each day for the minds and heart of humanity, not remaining in safe havens where the battle has already been won. Christians must carefully balance out the need for rest and connection with their own (Christ-centered network websites) and getting out there on the high seas doing the work God has intended for us to do.
Christian Social Networks
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