The Role of Social Media and Virtual Communities in the Growth of Christian Faith in the Digital Era
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55927/ijcet.v5i3.29Keywords:
Social Media, Virtual Community, Christian Faith, Digital Theology, Christian Religious EducationAbstract
This research aims to analyze the role of social media and virtual communities in the growth of Christian faith comprehensively. The method used is qualitative through a literature study of various scholarly sources and analyzed using a thematic approach. The results show that social media expands access to religious content, supports digital evangelism, and facilitates faith communities across geographical boundaries. However, there is also ambivalence in the form of shallow spirituality, digital distraction, and the commodification of faith. Virtual communities function as a new form of koinonia, but they do not fully replace the physical relationships that are essential in faith formation. This study contributes to the development of an integrative digital theology that emphasizes the importance of synergy between digital faith practices and real communities.
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