In an era of heightened media-driven political division, Christian leaders call for a focus on faith-driven discernment over digital information overload. Dr. James Spencer, president of the D.L. Moody Center, says the media environment poses unique challenges for people of faith.
“Our media environment, more than any single leader, shapes the way we think, act and respond to the world around us,” Spencer said. “For Christians, this calls for a reorientation — not just to sanity, but to a theological perspective in a digital age.”
Spencer’s recent book “Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness” addresses these challenges. In it, he focuses on three key strategies for maintaining spiritual balance amid media chaos: grounding through discipleship, focusing on divine glory over political victories, and intentional digital detachment.
The timing of Spencer’s message resonates as polls find decreased trust in media after new revelations about its reporting on the Biden administration and campaign. “After a contentious election season, it seems likely that we will be entering a similarly contentious political environment,” he noted, adding that both mainstream and alternative media outlets will likely continue their polarized coverage.
Spencer believes the solution isn’t necessarily complete media withdrawal but rather a recommitment to Christian principles. He argues that “mindless” scrolling has become a substitute for spiritual focus, comparing it to moments when Jesus withdrew from crowds during his ministry.
“Christians need to recognize that giving attention is a theological act,” Spencer said. “When we scroll ‘mindlessly’ on our phones, it has become our focus when God is to be our focus.”
The D.L. Moody Center, under Spencer’s leadership, has launched several initiatives to help Christians navigate these challenges, including a daily podcast called “Thinking Christian” and a weekly radio program “Useful to God”.
“For Christians to offer faithful testimony, we need to remain focused on the primary task set before us: being and making disciples of Jesus Christ,” Spencer emphasized. “As we learn to live under Christ’s authority and teach others to do the same, we will be in a better position to avoid the trappings of media and to show the world the difference Christ makes.”
–Metro Voice