Mass Media Theology - some ramblings

 

The basic error in modern times is just this: being continually concerned with what one needs to communicate, rather than with the nature of communication. Kierkegaard

 

Telecommunication

"Communication" - from the Greek word "koinonia"

           (Communication, communion, community, fellowship)

                       Personal

                       Implies culture, society, relationships

"Tele" - from the Greek meaning "distant"

                                          Thus, distance communication

 

Is the "tele" compatible with the "communication?"

      Can distant communication be personal?

 

1 Timothy 2:5 - For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. (NASB)

 

John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (NASB)

 

Jesus is the medium and the message, making the distant personal!

 

 

Biblical Issues

God is a communicating God.

 

We are created in the image of God.

 

We are communicating creatures.

 

We are in a fallen world.

 

Therefore communication is fallen (including mass communication)

 

 

 

 

Has God chosen to speak to mass audiences?

      How?

      What did He say?

      How did He encode them?

      Is that relevant to mass media of today?

 

 

 

1.    Mass Media Communication Model

 

 

SENDER              

encoding

 

g

  a

t

e

k

e

e

p

e

r

s

 

 

 

 

medium

__________________

message

 

 

 

 

 

__________________

RECEIVER

decoding

 

f

i

l

t

e

r

s

 

 

 

 

 

 

feedback

 

 

Ex. Nehemiah 8:1-12

 

Sender Issues

      What messages are worth sending?

      Does the sender have any responsibility for what they send?

      How should messages be encoded?

      Typically, there are gatekeepers

                  People who direct the flow of information

                  Access to information is not unlimited

 

Receiver Issues

      What messages are worth receiving?

      Does the receiver have any responsibility for what they receive?

      How should messages be decoded?

      What filters are being employed?

 

Medium Issues

      Is one medium better than another?

                  Not all transmission systems are the same

                  The medium influences what is sent

                  The medium influences how it is sent

 

Feedback

      Is this loop necessary?

                  Why/why not?

 

 

Some general Biblical principles for mass communication

 

  1. God uses a variety of mediums to convey His message (God is a rich and diverse communicator).

 

  1. God's preferred method is to use human beings to convey His message.

 

  1. God is patient, using multiple ways to make sure people have the opportunity to understand His message.

 

  1. Every message God sends is worth paying attention to.

 

 

 

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