Why Do I Blog?

This is a fair question. After 2 and a half years of blogging, I believe it is time to publish my answer. Yes, that's right - 2 and a half years of blogging. I have been a part of multiple blogs whether actually blogging or merely maintaining. I think what interested me most about blogging is the technology behind it. I liked the idea of having an online journal of sorts which I (as well as anyone else who stumbles on the blog) could go back to later on to see my "history" of thoughts, moments of discovery, expression of likes, dislikes and loves, as well as discuss things near and dear to my heart.

I originally started blogging about technology discussing impact upon life and where different technologies will possibly go. I would also mix in a little theology. As the past 2 and a half years have gone by, my desires have bent heavily upon theology and apologetics. I am always working through issues and theological points and how they apply to my every day life especially in relation to the Gospel. But my main battle while blogging is the tendancy to produce material which demonstrates a papal decree rather than insights presented in love and grace. Herein lies the achilles heal of blogging.

So many blogs are just sounding boards of opinion and clamor with myriad responses and counter responses which never go anywhere, but simply serve to bolster the blogger's ego. In other words, a blog, because it is public proclamation, by its very nature gives anyone a “platform” to say and be interpreted as saying anything. But the fact of the matter is that if this were normal, face-to-face interaction—NO ONE would care what I say or think.

Then factor in the two dimensional nature of the medium, and the immediacy/spontenaity of the medium, and the relative anonymity/”distance” —both allow for gross overstatement, misinterpretation, and confusing nuance and a major lack of accountability. The idea that “we are having a conversation” about something is really a joke. People say things on blogs that are either logically inconsistent, intentionally inflammatory, unwise, or lack the grace that would absolutely be expected and required in a normal conversation. Many blogs are a forum for shouting off—nothing more—always talking and posting and responding, yet never coming to a knowledge of the truth.

Another way I might express this is: some blogs are intended to inform, but far too many are designed to provoke to arguing and combative words (or at least that is the default result, especially in the comments section). And what I observe (as stated above) is people “behaving” online in ways that would be completely inappropriate in person. Most comments lack grace, humility, and/or respect for those with whom are being interacted. Dogmatism reigns (which is fine), but the issue is when there's dogmatism without the corollary wisdom and grace. And I think one of the reasons for this takes us back to the nature of a blog: a platform, immediacy, lack of accountability. The only way to hold someone accountable (unless you know the blogger) is to post something on the blog. And your post is subject to misinterpretation (because it’s two dimensional; the blogger can’t hear your inflection or see your body language). Further, because it’s the BLOGGER'S blog, he can easily “trump” you by a) not responding at all, or b) simply responding that what you say is not the truth. At the very least, this is an incredibly inefficient means of communicating or wrestling through an issue. But I fear (as I observe it) that in many cases it leads only to strife, polarization and alienation.

There have been many times I have read a myriad of comments in reply to a post (and counter comments). I have in the past formulated a response in my head . . .and by the end I determined (like I have so many other times) that it would simply be throwing pearls before swine. Bloggers want to have their “position” or “issue” . . . And that is that. You can’t change or “win”, because they hold carte blanche.

Mark Dever, on his group-blog Together for the Gospel writes,

One reason that I've been reluctant to enter the blogosphere is that I am concerned that blog-writing and reading only adds to a bad tendency that we today already have--a fascination with the newest, latest, and most recent. And the newest and latest also often means that which is of only immediate value, that which is passing. That is opposed to that which is enduring, and which has in fact endured and lasted. We write words here which crawl along electronically and leap out through your fingers and eyes to take precious minutes and hours that the Lord has entrusted to us. Could these small things we write really be that important?

Dever ends his post,

... be sure and set aside some time to read more substantial things. Commune with the saints that have gone before. Give some time to reading Anselm and Turretin, Samuel Rutherford's Letters or John Bunyan's Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners. And if you still have some time, you can have some other food for your soul--side dishes--snacks--by reading this blog.

So why do I blog? And why am I bashing the very medium of which I participate almost daily? We must realize, blogging is only a medium. It is not inherently good nor evil but can be used to accomplish either. In more ways than not, I am inclined to agree with Tim Challies on this subject. And what he says resonates with me because this is also why I blog:

It seems to me that what Dever has done is he has drawn a thick, solid line between blogging and other "valuable" forms of spirituality. Over on this side we have what is of spiritual value: reading the Bible, praying, fellowship and reading good, challenging books. Then over here we have what is of lesser value: blogging. Blogging is something that is to be regarded only as a snack - a light pursuit that has little lasting value. Of course I agree that we must take care that we prioritize our activities. A Christian who is not walking in close fellowship with the Lord has no business reflecting on spirituality in a public setting. Most Christian bloggers would much rather that their readers study the Scriptures rather than their blog - that the reading of a blog be only a supplement to a vibrant personal faith. What I think Dever misses is that for some, blogging is uniquely connected to spiritual health. It is an extension to or an outpouring of a person's walk with God. I speak out of personal experience here. The times I spend blogging are almost always connected to times of spiritual edification. I read the Bible and pray in the morning and then turn to my keyboard to reflect on what God has been teaching me. I read a good book and then write about what I have learned through the pages of that book. I read the news and allow world events to interact in my mind (and on my site) with what I know of God's Word. I have often said that if I stopped reading and stopped spending time with God I would have to stop blogging. I am convinced that if I stall in my spiritual growth I would very soon run out of things to say. Blogging is, to a large extent, a barometer of my spirituality.

How true. How true. Blogging also helps keep me accountable. I am thankful that a few of my readers are those people I personally know and those who will tell me in person if I err in speaking the truth - in love. My greatest fear is that my blog becomes a sounding board of opinion and clanging cymbals. Thankfully, God has spared many blogs from eroding into this slough. And I pray to God that mine is spared, also. As a friend said, "Keep your tone right! Keep the vision and purpose always in front of you with every post! Stay humble and gracious and be consumed with informing people about and pointing people to the Gospel. That’s the only thing that matters."

What a great reminder. I need to be reminded of that. Every day. The Gospel is the ONLY thing that matters. This is why I blog.

(I just wish I could get paid for it!!)