The Future of Christians in Conflict

In my exploration of Christians in conflict on the internet, I’ve come across a lot of bad examples, portraying Christians as insensitive, narrow-minded, and sometimes aggressive in their disagreement. I started this blog by looking at the Ten Commandments for Christian bloggers, which attempts to set a new, clear standard for Christians in conflict online. Though an undesirable conclusion, the many examples I’ve considered in this blog seem to highlight the need for such a model of what Christian conflict should look like within the newly evolving cyber context.

In my last few posts, I have argued that the Christian teachings from the Bible provide a good basis for a model of Christian conflict online. Perhaps not enough has yet been done by Christians to apply this established model to the new context of the internet. On the other hand, it could be argued that if Christians are unable to maintain such standards in conflict in the real world, how can they be expected to adhere to them in the much more elusive cyber world? I think such a viewpoint is somewhat defeatist, and that Christians individually need to acknowledge the rapidly growing role of the internet in social interaction, and consider how they should extrapolate Christian teachings to behave in a consistent manner online.

Yet the internet has played no small part in enabling conflict, with a notable effect on conflict between Christians. The ability to hide one’s identity on the internet, to exchange messages faster than one can properly consider what one is saying, and to detach from one’s real life identity to take less responsibility for one’s actions are all attributes of the internet which exacerbate the conflict between Christians online. However, the internet is still only a tool for interaction and education, and Christians need to recognise that the internet merely facilitates conflict.

The Ten Commandments for Bloggers suggests hope for such a negative conclusion. Although the internet does appear to bring out the worst in Christians in conflict, this model echoes the intentions of Christians who are trying to apply Biblical teachings to this new online context.

Finally, it is worth noting that I have predominantly considered the negative examples of Christians in conflict online, and that these are off-set by a number of examples of Christians in healthy disagreement, behaving in a loving Christian manner, consistent with scripture. Such examples also reflect the work of some Christians to embrace the developing technology of the internet, to interact in a Christian manner, and to use the new services it provides to their full potential.

What Christians in Conflict should look like (Conclusion)

From the Bible passages I’ve been looking at this week, it seems there is a clear model for what Christians in conflict should look like. Although it could be argued that these teachings were written thousands of years before the internet, many Christians believe the Bible to be God’s word to Christians even in the present day, and that they should therefore interpret its teachings to relate them to life today. Consequently, Christians who wish to use the internet to its full potential, must consider these teachings, and find a way to apply to them to his/her interactions on the internet.

It seems to me that the examples of Christians in conflict on the internet that I’ve been looking at throughout this blog are not consistent with these Christians teachings. For example, in the Todd Bentley and Steve Chalke case studies, Christians were acting in a rude, aggressive manner, hardly reflective of these teachings to be kind and sensitive, and to end conflicts quickly. Moreover, the passage I looked at from 2 Timothy taught that Christians should avoid unnecessary arguments - and I wouldn’t describe the bitter disagreements on youtube as central to Christian interaction…

Furthermore, on the topic of identity, the Bible clearly teaches honesty, encouraging believers to be open with each other, and not to lie. I think this is important when a Christian comes to construct their identity on the internet. The Bible states that Christians should not be ashamed of their identity in Christ, and in light of these teachings it seems Christians should be willing to acknowledge their Christian commitment in their online identities.

Lastly, even for Christians who spend more time on the internet than reading the Bible, there are clear summaries of the Bible teachings on conflict available on the Internet. Perhaps some of these Christians have disconnected from their real-life identities; perhaps others are choosing to ignore these teachings, favouring anonymity and flexibility of morals available on the internet.

What Christians in Conflict should look like (Part 4)

The Bible also advises Christians on how to act when they’re caught in a necessary conflict they can’t easily end. Another teaching from the book of Proverbs states

A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Here Christians learn to be kind and gentle, as is stereotypically expected of a Christian. Indeed this teaching stretches to the internet, where Christians should be acting in a gentle and sensitive way, and choosing not to stir up anger with harsh words.

What Christians in Conflict should look like (Part 3)

In a list of blessings known as the Beatitudes found in the gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches that

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.

This is a clear calling for Christians to be not only pacifists, but proactive in bringing about peace, in order to receive the blessing of being ‘called sons of God’. On the internet, it could be argued that this means Christians should not be simply keeping quiet in times of conflict, but actually acting as mediators, trying to restore the peace.

What Christians in Conflict should look like (Part 2)

Next I thought I’d look at how Christians should act in situations of conflict. From the Bible, Christians are called to stop arguments as quickly as possible. For example, in the book of Proverbs, Christians are taught

Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

This can easily be extrapolated to the internet, where Christians are often in a position to pursue quarrels, with the promise of anonymity and the ability to hide their Christian identity. In light of this passage, Christians on the internet should be seeking to end conflict as quickly as possible, and not to initiate arguments where they could be avoided.

What Christians in Conflict should look like (Part 1)

In light of all the bad examples of Christians in conflict, I thought I should consider what Christians in conflict should look like, in accordance with the Bible. I’ll be looking at a few Christian teachings on conflict, and considering what relevance these teachings have in the new context of the internet.

Firstly, the Bible clearly teaches that Christians should avoid unnecessary arguments. For example, Paul writes in the book 2 Timothy,
Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

Christians aren’t taught to ignore the presence of conflict – there are many Biblical examples of it – but they are taught to avoid arguments they don’t need to be involved in. This instruction is especially relevant on the internet, where Christians are faced with endless conflicts they could be involved in. This passage teaches Christians to be wise in choosing their battles, and not to involve themselves in arguments that will only lead to further quarrelling.