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Home My WebLink AboutClinton News Record, 2016-05-25, Page 18Reflections from Pastor Randy Banks Ibegan theological stud- ies in 1979. In those pri- meval days, knowledge and information were gained by purchasing and amassing a library of indispensable resources including commen- taries, Bible atlases, dictionar- ies, and encyclopedias; works written by the cream of the crop of liberal protestant theo- logians; Greek and Hebrew lexicons; books on Biblical archaeology; books about ancient Near Eastern civiliza- tions and the historical devel- opment of the Christian church; prayer anthologies; how-to books on preaching and pastoral care; a large, unwieldy, oversized book known as Strong's Exhaustive Concordance which lists every English word in the King James Version and every verse where it occurs; not to men- tion almost every English translation and paraphrase of the Bible ever published. My book shelves have sagged under the crushing weight of the bound and printed matter I have stock- piled over 3 years in seminary and 33 years in ministry. Though my mind and soul have been enriched by them, I cannot say the same for the condition of my back and knees after packing them in boxes and moving them more times than I care to count. I shudder to think how many hard-earned dollars these resources represent especially in light of the fact that one day I probably won't even be able to give them away. We are now living in the enchanted kingdom of digital - social media. Most of the resources I listed above are readily available and often free of charge on the internet. From the comfort of your own home, you can embark on your own personalized pro- gramme of theological studies of the belief system of your choice. In terms of Christianity, The Bible Gateway is a popular website which offers the Bibli- cal texts according to a large number of versions and trans- lations, even some in lan- guages other than English. Or you can visit The Text this Week to read numerous Through the stained-glass window Pastor Randy Banks commentaries related to the Revised Common Lectionary which is followed in many Christian liturgical traditions. Where once you had to come and ask your pastor if you could borrow some books from his or her shelf, you can now access the resources you are looking for on-line. Check- ing hecking the accuracy of what your minister is preaching about is just a click or two away. You can be in conversation with on-line religious blog- gers; learn a biblical language; read church publications; take in a podcast of a worship ser- vice; access a daily devotion and prayer; ask a question of a priest, rabbi, minster or imam, etc. Most denominational headquarters and the regional bodies under them operate websites so that, in my case, my parishioners can know us much about the inside poli- tics, procedures, engagements and activities of the United Church of Canada as I know. Additionally, in this age of the ubiquitous social media, most churches manage a Facebook page and/or web- site which may include post- ing bulletins, sermons, announcements and assorted information about the life and work of that particular congre- gation. Your minister may also have a Twitter account. After all, Pope Francis does. We have come a long way from the time when the clergy were among the few educated people in the con- gregation and when the average worshipper did not even have the literacy level to read the Bible. In those days, the biblical narrative was conveyed, in part, through the art of church stained-glass windows. The digital world we now inhabit for better or for worse pro- vides you with an opportu- nity to be your own self- styled church or theologian, so to speak. A word to those who would be wise, however. The Christian theology on the internet will cover the wide spectrum from rigid, nar- row-minded fundamental- ism all the way over to bland, superficial relativism. You do well to be aware of the sources you are consulting on-line. Use commonsense and the gift of critical think- ing as you sift through the wheat and the chaff of on- line theology. Someone's blog, for example, will merely consist of their own beliefs and opinions. The minister of your congrega- tion may still very well be the most accessible and trust- worthy biblical scholar/the- ologian in your midst. In a final word, as I glance at the dusty, yellowing -with - age books on my shelf I can- not help but quote a line from the book of Ecclesias- tes: "Of making many books there is no end; and much study is weariness of the flesh." (Ecclesiastes 12.12). Wednesday, May 25, 2016 • News Record 19 Correction In the May 18 edition of the Clinton News Record in an article titled, "Rural Business Centre to offer one hour free computer assistance to seniors", the business is actually called the "Rural Business Network': We regret the error and apol- ogize for any confusion it may have caused. '11111/1113: roll ROYAL LEPAGE tlllJl;111 .. yy.s Heartland Realty, Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated Helping you is what we doTM Office 519-565-5100 6B Main St. N. 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