Christ and Digital Culture

I’m away from home at the moment, sitting in an Easyjet departure lounge, part-blinded by the bright orange walls and numbed by the budget airline seating. So it’s a welcome relief to read something to take my mind of the joys of business travel.

I’m a big fan of the people at WorshipHouse Media. Their creativity in ‘ Christian digital media’ takes some beating. If you want to see what I mean check out the brilliant ‘Me Church‘, and at the other end of the scale ‘The Last Painting‘.

They have just published a fascinating article titled ‘Presentation Addiction‘ which puts forward the idea that one of the church’s latest preoccupations – large, glitzy, skillfully-produced ‘events’ – has had its day. Instead the writer quotes Rex Miller, decrying the enduring power of ‘church-as-entertainment’ and offering new ideas for connecting with the ‘Digital Culture’ or ‘New Experience Culture’.

As someone who’s deeply involved in the ‘digital culture’ both professionally and personally (I am, after all, a geek who is currently blogging on a wireless network connection) I’m not sure I need to bring Christ into the culture, or whether I should be encouraging the digital generation to step outside the culture and ‘connect’ with Christ.

I recently listened to a lecture (yes, really. OK, it was via a podcast) by Ravi Zacharias in which he proposed that we only use the word ‘culture’ to describe trends because society has no moral or religious framework within which to explain our actions.

I want to get in there, get creating and interacting using all the tools new technology has to offer – because that’s ‘me’. But is that Christ?

Anyway, don’t let me put you off visiting WorshipHouse Media – there are some real gems. Try ‘The Crowd or the Cross‘ or ‘That’s My King‘. These people are using their creative talents to the Glory of God and long may they continue. Bless you, guys!!

Soaking

I’ve recently become aware of a new buzz-word being used by churches of many different denominations (try a Google search). They call it ‘Soaking’ and it seems to owe its origin to the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship.

I paid a visit to the TACF site to try and find out more about the idea and just why churches are fired up about soaking. Unfortunately in order to get the details, I need to pay, or visit an accredited Soaking Center. Currently $49+postage for a ‘soaking kit’. More if I want to be trained.

The only ‘free’ information seems to be a kind of ‘FAQ’ taken from the TACF website and copied on numerous churches’ sites. As I read it, a few thoughts occurred to me, so here is the FAQ in red with my comments in green italics.

As always in this blog, these are my personal thoughts and you’re very welcome to comment on them.

---

What is soaking?

During previous revivals people referred to it as “waiting on the Lord” or “tarrying” as they lingered expecting God’s revival blessings. Although “soaking” includes waiting on the Lord, in this present move of the Spirit it means much more than that.

(Not sure what ‘this present move’ means in this context and who decides that it ‘means much more’ using which criteria. But anyway…)

To “soak” in God’s presence is to rest in His love rather than to “strive” in prayer.

(OK. But…
1 Thessalonians 3:10 – Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.)

As the person receiving a touch from God begins to connect with the reality of the Holy Spirit’s presence, he often responds by falling or simply lying on the floor. As he rests expectantly in God’s presence, often the Holy Spirit hovers over the person…

(I thought I was indwelled by the Spirit. What’s He doing hovering over me? John 14:17 – …the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.)

…to reveal more of God’s love and to renew and repair areas of a person’s life. As the believer soaks in God’s presence, the Lord takes control and begins to draw his attention to God’s word either in the scriptures or through internal audible impressions or pictures he sees in his mind’s eye.

(Internal inaudible impressions? Mind’s eye? Where’s all this come from then? Sounds a bit like yoga to me. Or maybe ‘visualisation‘ ) Minds Eye – wikipedia definition

Is ‘Soaking’ in the Bible?

This is what the Bible has to say (NKJV):

Psalm 23:1-3 – “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul …”

(A lovely Psalm that talks figuratively about how God refreshes, restores and sustains us. I’m not sure how this endorses soaking, any more than it endorses the use of rods and staffs)

Psalm 131:2 – “Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.”

(Worth looking at the full Psalm 131…

“My heart is not proud, O LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.

But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.

O Israel, put your hope in the LORD
both now and forevermore.”

Surely this Psalm is about humility, not meditation.)

Psalm 4:4 – “Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.”

(Have a read of this one yourself – but I read this as the Psalmist calling to a people who “love worthlessness and seek falsehood” and telling them to repent and meditate on the Lord. Again, not quite the same thing as soaking”.)

Psalm 37:7 – “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him.”

(A bit tenuous this one … it contains the word ‘rest’, but apart from that?)

Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

(It’s that word again – ‘rest’ – from a passage immediately following Jesus pronouncing woe to Chorazin & Bethsaida – isn’t this about repentance and mercy, rather than an hour on the sofa?)

Hebrews 4:9-11 – “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest.”

(OK. This is a tricky one. It’s certainly talking about the Sabbath-rest and I guess it doesn’t mean I can lie down all day on a Sunday (what a nice thought!) The passage does go on to say – “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
I’m now picturing myself in a soaking-style ‘rest’ reading the Word of God – some sort of upside down music stand required I think.)

Isaiah 40:29-31 – “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

(The ‘wait’ in this passage is variously translated as ‘hope, look for’ – not ‘lie down’)

Psalm 27:14 – “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord!”

(This a wonderful Psalm, well worth praying when trouble is snapping at your heals. Again ‘wait’ as in ‘hope/look for’)

Proverbs 1:33 – “But whoever listens to Me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.”

(When a quote starts with a ‘but’, it’s a good idea to look up the first bit…

31 Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way,
And be filled to the full with their own fancies.
32 For the turning away of the simple will slay them,
And the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 But whoever listens to me will dwell safely,
And will be secure, without fear of evil.”

I’m not sure what it tells us in this instance, but it’s certainly not a cosy ‘lie down and everything will be OK’ kind of thing).

Luke 10:39 – “And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.”

(She did. Hopefully she didn’t nod off. I believe other people sat down elsewhere in Scripture)

Hosea 2:14 – “Therefore, behold, I will allure her. I will bring her into the wilderness and speak comfort to her”

(God speaking mercy and providence on the ‘faithless harlot’ ie. His children, Israel through the life of Hosea and his adulterous wife Gomer. This screams ‘grace, mercy, repentance’ to me)

I can’t help but think, ‘If this ’soaking’ practice is so vitally important, why are these Scripture references so tenuous?’

Why do I need to soak?

There is a deep need in every one of us to be close to God. Experiencing God is something to be sought after and not avoided. While we base our theology on God’s Word, our experiences with God make it all come alive. The Bible is a book of experiences of men and women of God throughout history, whose lives were changed through divine encounter.

(2 Tim 3:16-17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Although to read this, you’d think it was a lifeless history book.

I need to soak because the Bible isn’t enough!?

And are they suggesting that people who don’t ’soak’ are avoiding God? Nice twist!)

Your life will be changed as well as you encounter Him.

(Hallelujah, yes! Daily. In all manner of ways and experiences. Sometimes He whispers, sometimes He shouts. Sometimes He’s very very silent. Sometimes He comes ‘in the clouds’, through the trials of life. Sometimes in the blinding light of realisation. Through Scripture, through preaching, through phone calls and instant messenger conversations. Through music, through poetry. In creation and in decay. Even sometimes when I’m lying down or sitting on my sofa. Praise His Holy Name!

How do I soak?

Although you don’t have to lie down, you may sit in a chair or lie on your bed, the main thing is to be in a safe place so you can be vulnerable.

(Why does that word – vulnerable – make me nervous?)

Set your affection on Jesus. You might like to soak while listening to intimate worship music with meaningful words that quiet your soul and help you draw near to God. As you reflect on the cross and all that Jesus has lovingly purchased for you, begin confessing your sins to Him and longing to be close to Him. After a few moments, you will become aware of the Holy Spirit’s unseen presence.

People experience Him in many ways: a weight upon your body, (Not the yoke that is light, then?)

…an electric tingling upon your hands or face, or a warm sensation of love going through your heart which connects you to Him. (My heart? What? The organ that pumps my blood? Why would I feel it there? Unless it was something from within me as opposed to being from God who is more than aware of how the human body and soul actually work!)

This is how you grow to love anyone, by a series of several encounters that bond you together. It is not only a rational process; your heart must be engaged.
(It’s how people tend to fall in love with eachother, yes. How I fall in love with God (and which type(s) of ‘love’) is something far more mysterious than boy-meets-girl)

Experiencing God’s presence is what will cause you to love the Lord with all your heart and soul. (Matthew 22:37) (That scripture reference is a Commandment, plain and simple, not a cause/effect thing)

Humble yourself before Him. Give all your worries and cares to the Lord talking to Him about them. Pray a prayer like this. “Lord Jesus, I invite You to come and search my heart. Come close and let me know your love.” Let worship rise up inside you and give yourself to the Lord. If you become distracted, then re-focus on Jesus.

Absolutely right. Spot on. But this is just prayer. Good old Biblical prayer.
What a relief, I’ve saved myself $50!

Remind yourself why you are soaking and listen to the worship music.

Oops. I spoke too soon. Spend the $50 on some worship CDs.

Can I trust that it is the Holy Spirit working?

Yes you can.

(Surely this needs a health-warning? I’ve written elsewhere in this blog about testing the spirits as even the elect can be deceived – especially if we deliberately make ourselves ‘vulnerable’. Aha. That’s why the word made me nervous!)

Remember, everything we receive from God we receive by faith. Faith must be positive and focused on God. (Not negative and fearful, focused on the enemy.)

(Hang on, where’s that in the Bible? Faith is not ‘positive thinking’ – positive thinking won’t get you far when you’re being persecuted for your beliefs, put through the fire, tested and tried. The Psalmist seemed to focus a lot on the enemy – often didn’t have much choice – and through it found strength of faith)

Jesus said in Luke 11:11-13, “If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” The key is intimacy. It is not a program to be run and managed, but a relationship to be maintained.

(But if you want to ‘get with the program’ – get your credit card out sharpish.)

How long do I continue soaking?

It usually takes about fifteen minutes to quiet the business of life and enter into rest.

(How very precise)

But Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath, and He wants you to enter into His rest. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy and peace, so we need to take quality time with Him. (They’re doing the cause and effect thing again – the passage about the fruit of the Spirit doesn’t say we get the fruit from soaking, it says we get it because we have crucified the sinful nature and walk by the Spirit) You cannot force or hurry this. The idea is not to “get” something but to “be” with someone. Take time just to be with Him; to love Him and let Him love you. If you fall asleep, that’s OK.

(Feels a bit rude to me. To nod off in the middle of such an important conversation/process)

If you are interrupted, you can always come back for more. You will know when your time is finished. You will feel a satisfaction in your heart and a release to go and get on with life.

Great, but I can’t help thinking it sounds a bit like this…
http://www.pathwaytospirit.co.uk/m-free-meditation-river-of-life.htm

---

Reading this post, I realise I’ve been quite flippant in places. OK, VERY flippant. But it feels to me like a bit of a swiz.

I reckon I’ve been soaking for years. Lost in wonder, love and praise, resting in His presence.

Yes, I listen to worship music on occasions. Sometimes I’m at home alone, or in the car. Other times in the presence of and in fellowship with brothers and sisters.

But I never called it soaking, and I certainly never had to pay anyone to teach me about it.

Much like the ‘come and get the Holy Spirit from us’ approach – it feels like someone’s trying to ‘sell’ me something I already have by the Grace and mercy of God and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Now why would they want to do that?