We all know it’s true: real life is better than whatever’s online, right?

I mean, would you rather have a Zoom call with someone, or see them in person?

For me, the answer is easy. I’d rather be together with a friend in person. Face to face. Embodied friendship is the best option.

That’s the perspective in 3 John 13, “I have many things to write you, but I don’t want to write to you with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.”

The technology of pen and ink is good. It enabled communication. It’s why we have the Bible. But the author’s preference - and my own preference - is to talk face to face.

Still, I’d like to bring some nuance to our thinking. What we do “in real life” is not always better than what we do online.

For instance, what’s better:

• Having an affair in person or watching pornography online?

• Shooting someone with a gun in person or shooting someone (perhaps in a video game) online?

• Cloning a human being in person (say, in a laboratory) or online (in a video game)?

• Performing unnecessary surgery for personal profit in person or providing unnecessary telehealth services?

Misunderstanding seems to proliferate, so to be clear, I’m not advocating for immorality as long as it’s online. But in many cases, what we do “in real life” is far worse than what we could do online.

Looking at it from this perspective does clarify the priority of “real life.” And that’s fine. But we had this thought together because of a blog post shared on social media.

The debate between embodied and mediated or technological communication is interesting. However you look at it, I continue to prefer embodied forms of connecting.

But as the examples above show, that’s only one part of the story.

So instead of pitting “real life” against “online”, let’s ask better questions:

• What are you doing in “real life” that helps you love God and love your neighbor? Keep doing that.

• What are you doing online that helps you love God and love your neighbor? Keep doing that too.

Grow your faith by writing out your thoughts on this article.

Learn to represent God online… and everywhere else. The Uncommon Pursuit community provides an environment to develop friendships with brothers and sisters in Christ around the world.

You can clarify your thinking by participating in a conversation on this essay here:

https://up.uncommonpursuit.net/t/is-real-life-better/589

Photo by Michael Sala on Unsplash