July 26, 2022 
Reviewed by:
Connor Salter, Professional Writing alumnus from Taylor University, Upland, IN.
Title:
Analog Christian: Cultivating Contentment, Resilience, and Wisdom in the Digital Age
Author:
Jay Y. Kim
Publisher:
InterVarsity Press
Publication Date:
July 26, 2022
Format:
Paperback
Length:
192 pages
OVERVIEW
In Analog Church, pastor Jay Y. Kim considered how digital technology has helped Christians gather and learn from each other, but can never replace key needs that only happen in person. Here, Kim takes that point and points to a smaller point: for all the things that digital tech helps Christians accomplish, it can also hurt them. Mounting research shows how social media rewards angry responses, and how digital advertising feeds off people comparing themselves to each other. While most Christians can’t completely tear themselves away from digital technology, they can make some key choices about how they use it:
– Cultivating Contentment (love instead of despair, joy instead of comparison, peace instead of contempt)
– Cultivating Resilience (love instead of impatience, kindness and goodness instead of hostility)
– Cultivating Wisdom (faithfulness instead of forgetfulness, gentleness instead of outrage, self-control instead of reckless indulgence)
Kim once again finds that careful balance between scholarship and relatability. He cites many excellent sources that show how over-using social media and other digital tools create behavioral problems, but makes his points in an understandable way. He also freely admits his mistakes with digital technology, and notes the irony that he was raised in Silicon Valley and he’s telling people to be careful about their computers. He even uses that irony to his advantage, citing stories from friends in the Silicon Valley tech world who have become careful about how much digital tech they use
Ultimately, Kim makes a compelling case that while Christians don’t have to totally eliminate their digital tech, moderation is vital. Furthermore, Christians must take the time to cultivate practices that make up for digital tech’s shortcomings (character-building practices like reading and studying the Bible, and having ongoing relationships with wiser Christians). Moderation combined with deliberate choices to do what seems difficult but builds character translates to spiritual growth.
An excellent follow-up to an excellent book, and a great road map to using digital technology well.
ASSESSMENT
Rating (1 to 5 stars):
5 stars
Suggested Audience:
Christians seeking to better understand digital technology’s effect on them, and pursue wise lifestyles
that promote spiritual growth.
Christian Impact:
Kim pushes readers to never settle for what’s superficial and feels good for a short while, choosing
practices that produce wisdom over popularity.
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