Analog Christian
What has the Internet and social media done to our souls? In Analog Christian, Jay Y. Kim helps you cultivate contentment, resilience, and wisdom in the digital age.
Discipleship in the Digital Age
Published only two years after his first book, Analog Church, this book makes sense out of the state of our discipleship in the digital age. While Analog Church looked at true Christian community, Analog Christian looks at true Christian discipleship. Our spiritual formation is shaped by our digital lives.
As the effects of the pandemic pushes on, Kim sees how it has left a deficit in three key areas of his life: Contentment, resilience, and wisdom. Our increasingly online lives and non-stop use of social media had left him spiritually dry. The book is divided into three sections that show us how he had helped cultivate these virtues once again.
Kim opens with a cut to the heart as explains how our desires for likes will never fill our search for love. Instead of looking for approval on Instagram, he reminds us that we can find comfort in the fact that God already loves us. He tells a personal story of how he once experienced great love from his mom – similar to what Peter must have felt from our Lord. Our sense of self is restored when we realize that being loved by God means more than being liked by the world.
Exposing Subtle Sins
What Kim does exceptionally well is expose our subtle sins. I was most interested in Chapter 4, where Kim shines the light on our lack of patience. The digital age has brought us unprecedented speed, and it has left our spiritual lives in the dust. He reminds us of Jesus, who lived a decidedly unhurried life. While he had much to do, and with his work being urgent, he remained resigned to his Father’s timetable. Kim calls us to remain in Jesus – to truly abide in him. We allow time to grow branches from the vine. Relationships require long-suffering. And Kim promises that we will find life to be worth living.
I was most challenged to see how achieving cultural relevance can come at the cost of faithfulness. Celebrity, status, and fame are constantly in front of our eyes. We can even see it in Christian culture. Kim urges us to ordinary faithfulness. And when we are paralyzed by our own unbelief, we can trust that God remains faithful even when we are not.
Unplug from the Digital Domain
This book is for those who are weary from the online world. It is a call to come back to God’s Word, allowing it to shape your heart more than social media. It is a summons to spend time with Jesus more than chasing clout and influence. Pastors will find that they don’t have to feel the push and pull of trending topics. Teens don’t have to fall into the comparison trap. Working adults and parents alike don’t have to chase after achievements and approval. Unplug from the digital domain. Plant your soul near streams of living water.
I received a media copy of Analog Christian and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.