Let me begin with an admission. I’ve got an iPod. I use email voraciously. My books are sold online. So I am no Luddite who believes that technology is inherently evil. But I am concerned over the impact of technology on the Christian life, particularly given how technology is interwoven in the lives of today’s young people, even in the church.

Unlike other social and cultural developments, technology changes and spreads so rapidly that we hardly have a chance to catch our breath between innovations. The latest example of this is the social phenomenon known as Twitter. In January of this year, I had never even heard of Twitter, but by May, the time of writing this column, I encounter it almost daily.

For those of you who think that twitter means a succession of chirps by a bird, let me define this latest technological phenomenon for you. Twitter is a social networking service that allows you to send short blasts of text information (limited to 140 characters) to update people on your daily activities. When you send one of these text updates you engage in what is known as “tweeting.” You have the option of following other people’s “tweets” so you know what they are doing.

Many celebrities have seen this as a way to increase their fame. Politicians have also gotten into the act. In fact, many members of Congress were tweeting during President Obama’s speech to the joint session of Congress in February. Even President Obama tweets.

So is there anything wrong with engaging in this latest phase of the evolution of social networking? Is Twitter evil? While I would never say that Twitter is inherently evil, it does raise questions in my mind about its potential for subtly undermining some key spiritual principles. I have two major theological concerns with Twitter.

First, like other social networking websites (i.e., MySpace and Facebook), Twitter can feed our natural sinful tendency toward narcissism. It seems that many aspects of technology are particularly well suited for self-aggrandizement. It’s about “My” Space. It’s about “I” Pod. Twitter seems to only add to this cultural obsession with the self. It’s premised on the idea that someone really cares about what you are doing. The Bible calls us to deny the self, not aggrandize it (Matt. 16:24).

My second problem with Twitter is its tendency to degrade language and communication. I think it does this by encouraging banal speech. Limiting communication to 140 characters does not leave one with the sense that profundity will flow from one’s tweets. Just consider the following penetrating tweet of Democratic representative Earl Blumenauer (Ore.) in response to President Obama’s February speech: “Energy, healthcare and education! Right on!” The gift of language is indicative of humanity being made in the image of God, a triune God who enjoys communication among the persons of the Godhead. We were given language to praise God and spread His good news. It seems to me that banal use of language degrades this gift.

No, things like Twitter, MySpace and Facebook are not signs of the apocalypse. In fact, like all mediums, they can be used for good, even to spread the good news about Jesus Christ and build fellowship among believers. But I do wonder whether whether we are at risk of twittering ourselves to death by becoming increasingly absorbed in a virtual world created by our own hands instead of the real world created by the living God. I think we should assess what we are doing with technology and see if it passes the Philippians 4:8 test: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (NIV). That’s how God’s Word speaks in your world.

—Anthony Selvaggio

Anthony T. Selvaggio is an RPCNA minister and member of the Rochester, N.Y., RPC. He is visiting professor for the RP Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pa. He also is a conference speaker and author.