Sunday, July 3, 2016

Reflection | Doubt and Faith in the Age of Facebook

On the church calendar, the Feast Day of Thomas, Apostle, is July 3.  When July 3 falls on a Sunday, the day is transferred to July 4.  
With the publication of the Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnal, our church now observes the Feast of St. Thomas on July 3, which is also my birthday.  Over the past few years, I have gained a greater appreciation for my namesake disciple, and I believe the witness of this 1st century Christian can help us be witnesses in the 21st century. 
Doubt While we celebrate Thomas’ faith, he is also remembered for his doubt.  “Doubting Thomas” is a nickname that won’t go away.  When the other disciples told Thomas they had seen the Risen Lord, his response was “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
I think we can commend Thomas for his caution.  He was a bit skeptical.  He wanted to investigate.  He wanted to do a little research.  He wanted to check things out for himself before he made his bold declaration of faith.   
In this age of Facebook and social media, we would do well to follow Thomas’ example.  Be a bit skeptical.  Investigate.  Do a little research.  Check things out before re-Tweeting or hitting the “Share” button.
The photo of President George W. Bush holding a children’s book upside-down?   Fake.  The photo of President and Mrs. Obama  and their “left handed salute”?  Also Fake.  The rumor that Pope Francis has hired J.K. Rowling (author of the Harry Potter series) to rewrite the Bible?  Satire.  The photos of the archaeological dig with the giant skeleton that ‘prove’ the story of Goliath?  Photoshop.
When we share these false things as if they were true our credibility as witnesses to the Truth is diminished. 
Faith Jesus appeared again to the disciples, and Thomas was among them.  Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.”  Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
Thomas’ confession of faith is a personal one.  He says, “MY Lord and MY God.”  While he could have easily said “THE Lord” and “The ONLY God,” he uses “I” statements to witness to the Risen Christ. 
If we simply share what we believe, what we have learned from our own faith, rather than arguing about religion or criticizing the beliefs of others, I think we will find that we can use social media to share the Good News of the Risen Christ with friends and neighbors around the world.