The internet is great. It connects us with our friends, our interests and people we have never met, but think like we do. Our worldview is reflected back to us. The services we subscribe to like Amazon, Apple or Google, start to understand what we like and suggest other things we might like too. Super helpful.
Or is it? The danger is that we don't discover anything new. We don't listen to opinions other than our own. By listening to ourselves or to people too similar to us, we often don't see that which could challenge and change us for the better. We can miss out on God's small voice spoken through someone from a different background and a different point of view.
It is not just good for us to hear different voices, it is also a question of justice. Renowned Latin American theologian Samuel Escobar recently said in an interview that the Church in the West has often ignored voices from the Global South and that it could no longer do this. "We need to realise that in some aspects the Church is going to be counter-cultural," he says "It is going to have to be intentional about letting those who are not heard be heard, and letting those viewpoints or those feelings that express other cultural sensitivities and perceptions express themselves."
This autumn, you have the opportunity to go beyond your own echo chamber and hear voices you don't normally hear: at Catalyst Live, a conference for Christian thinkers being held in Birmingham (16 November) and Reading (17 November). Samuel Escobar will be there, as will an array of brilliant Christian speakers from around the world including Miyon Chung (Korea/USA), Elie Haddad (Lebanon), Vinoth Ramachandra (Sri Lanka) and Anneke Kaai (Netherlands). Speakers from the UK like vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields Sam Wells; Bishop of Buckingham Alan Wilson; Northern Irish poet Steve Stockman and Christian robotics and artificial intelligence expert Nigel Crook. You will be able to explore topics like finding hope in conflict, reverse mission, doing good better, art in the church and much more. Christian Today Contributing Editor Mark Woods will host Catalyst Live, an event that's sure to challenge and inspire you.
As Christians, we needn't fear new ideas – we should embrace them. Book your tickets for Catalyst Live today.
Chris Hall is an editor at BMS World Mission.
