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Analog Christian: Cultivating Contentment, Resilience, and Wisdom in the Digital Age
The Gospel Coaltion Award of Distinction—Christian Living
Outreach Resource of the Year
The digital age is in the business of commodifying our attention. The technologies of our day are determined to keep us scrolling and swiping at all costs, plugged into a feedback loop of impatience, comparison, outrage, and contempt. Blind to the dangers, we enjoy its temporary pleasures, unaware of the damage to our souls.
Jay Kim's Analog Church explored the ways the digital age and its values affect the life of the church. In Analog Christian, he asks the same question of Christian discipleship. As the digital age inclines us to discontentment, fragility, and foolishness, how are followers of Jesus to respond? What is the theological basis for living in creative resistance to the forces of our day? How can Christians cultivate the contentment, resilience, and wisdom to not only survive but to thrive as we navigate the specific challenges of our age?
Outreach Resource of the Year
The digital age is in the business of commodifying our attention. The technologies of our day are determined to keep us scrolling and swiping at all costs, plugged into a feedback loop of impatience, comparison, outrage, and contempt. Blind to the dangers, we enjoy its temporary pleasures, unaware of the damage to our souls.
Jay Kim's Analog Church explored the ways the digital age and its values affect the life of the church. In Analog Christian, he asks the same question of Christian discipleship. As the digital age inclines us to discontentment, fragility, and foolishness, how are followers of Jesus to respond? What is the theological basis for living in creative resistance to the forces of our day? How can Christians cultivate the contentment, resilience, and wisdom to not only survive but to thrive as we navigate the specific challenges of our age?
175 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 26, 2022
34 people are currently reading
774 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
August 29, 2022
On March 17, 2020, I left the office at close of business not knowing when I would return. My employers were taking steps to limit the spread of COVID by requiring employees to work from home. I would not return to the office until May 11.
I enjoyed working from home at first. As the weeks dragged on, however, the enjoyment dissipated. I became increasingly irritable, which isn’t a good thing when your wife and kids don’t get a break from you. And to be honest, my productivity lagged.
Jay Y. Kim had a similar experience in the early months of the pandemic. He describes it as “a significant deficit in key three key areas of my life”: contentment, resilience, and wisdom. Home confinement played a role in this deficit. A large role was played by social media, too, however.
During the pandemic, social media allowed us to communicate with family, friends, and coworkers who weren’t quarantined with us. That was a good thing, of course. But social media is not an unalloyed good. “The apps we use are actually using us,” Kim writes. “We are not so much the customers as the products.”
Here’s Kim’s description of how social media work and how they foster discontentment:
I’ve quoted Kim at length because his words encapsulate a penetrating critique of social media. Social media constitute a major reason why Americans have become increasingly hostile to one another. Those media didn’t cause divisions, but they certainly exacerbated them.
If we’re being honest, Christians aren’t immune from the negative emotions and behaviors Kim describes. I am astounded at the level of shallow thinking, caricature, and vitriol I see in the social media posts of Christians I follow. And I am ashamed when those vices show up on my own posts.
What is so often lacking in Christian social media is the fruit of the Spirit. Analog Christian outlines how those nine virtues should shape the way Christians, individually or in community, interact with others, whether in real life or online.
I enjoyed working from home at first. As the weeks dragged on, however, the enjoyment dissipated. I became increasingly irritable, which isn’t a good thing when your wife and kids don’t get a break from you. And to be honest, my productivity lagged.
Jay Y. Kim had a similar experience in the early months of the pandemic. He describes it as “a significant deficit in key three key areas of my life”: contentment, resilience, and wisdom. Home confinement played a role in this deficit. A large role was played by social media, too, however.
During the pandemic, social media allowed us to communicate with family, friends, and coworkers who weren’t quarantined with us. That was a good thing, of course. But social media is not an unalloyed good. “The apps we use are actually using us,” Kim writes. “We are not so much the customers as the products.”
Here’s Kim’s description of how social media work and how they foster discontentment:
Each search and click provides valuable data to companies constantly searching for ways to effectively commodify our attention and, more slyly, our addiction. The bottom line is to keep us scrolling and swiping at any cost. And one of the most effective ways of lulling us in is to situate us in a never-ending loop of comparison, which eventually breeds contempt, before dimly devolving into unprecedented levels of self-centric despair. This often leads to a nagging and incessant impatience, as we desperately seek morsels of satisfaction that always leave us wanting. Fearful of perpetual discontent, we grow increasingly hostile, taking our fears and frustrations on others. Left unchecked, hostility turns to outrage, and we begin to see and treat people as caricatures and enemies, forgetting that we and they are all collectively made in the image of God. As the vicious cycle continues on and on, we seek relief by recklessly indulging in cheap comforts, always available and accessible at the click of a button.
I’ve quoted Kim at length because his words encapsulate a penetrating critique of social media. Social media constitute a major reason why Americans have become increasingly hostile to one another. Those media didn’t cause divisions, but they certainly exacerbated them.
If we’re being honest, Christians aren’t immune from the negative emotions and behaviors Kim describes. I am astounded at the level of shallow thinking, caricature, and vitriol I see in the social media posts of Christians I follow. And I am ashamed when those vices show up on my own posts.
What is so often lacking in Christian social media is the fruit of the Spirit. Analog Christian outlines how those nine virtues should shape the way Christians, individually or in community, interact with others, whether in real life or online.
Kim argues that the fruit of the Spirit requires us to make a choice between:
* love or self-centric despair,
* joy or comparison,
* peace or contempt,
* patience or impatience,
* kindness and goodness or hostility,
* faithfulness or forgetfulness,
* gentleness or outrate, and
* self-control or reckless indulgence.
Notice that the choice isn’t between using social media or not using them. Some people may choose to forego social media entirely, and that’s okay. Most of us are going to continue using social media, however, because it adds value to our lives.
At least, they can add value if they’re controlled by the fruit of the Spirit in the context of community. Kim wrote about community in Analog Church, which came out in March 2020, just as pastors everywhere were scrambling to take their congregational ministries online. The book may have been ill-timed, but it was prescient. Being face-to-face is superior to Facebook and FaceTime.
I recommend Analog Christian to a general audience. In includes a section called “Questions for Reflection and Discussion” at the end of the book. This makes it perfect for use by Sunday school classes, small groups, and book clubs. And enterprising pastors will find ways to use its content in their sermons and Bible studies.
Book Reviewed
Jay Y. Kim, Analog Christian: Cultivating Contentment, Resilience, and Wisdom in the Digital Age (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2022).
P.S. If you liked my review, please click “Helpful” on my Amazon review page.
P.P.S. This review is cross-posted from InfluenceMagazine.com by permission.
August 9, 2022
Excellent cultural analysis of the challenges we all face in our current day. We’ll-written with outstanding research and thoughtful & biblical responses.
It’s worth reading for his notes alone. He clearly understands the issues and aggregated an incredible collection of thinkers and source material.
It’s worth reading for his notes alone. He clearly understands the issues and aggregated an incredible collection of thinkers and source material.
January 11, 2023
Solid but not surprising or new. It had more basic theology and less tech-specific content than I was anticipating.
September 18, 2022
Yim doesn't say to get off social media or the interenet, but he does say it presents us with choices:
Love or Self-Concentric Despair
Joy or Comparison
Peace or Contempt
Patience or Impatience
Kindness and Goodness or Hostility
Faithfulness or Forgetfulness
Gentleness or Outrage
Self-Control or Reckless Indulgence
It's a big topic, and considering how much time I spent online, worth thinking over.
Love or Self-Concentric Despair
Joy or Comparison
Peace or Contempt
Patience or Impatience
Kindness and Goodness or Hostility
Faithfulness or Forgetfulness
Gentleness or Outrage
Self-Control or Reckless Indulgence
It's a big topic, and considering how much time I spent online, worth thinking over.
April 29, 2025
a super helpful perspective on the fruit of the Spirit in a digital age. 4.5 stars.
February 24, 2025
Wonderfully refreshing view on the world we live in and the way the Spirit calls us to live within it!
August 24, 2022
In The Analog Christian, Silicon Valley pastor Jay Y. Kim presents compelling evidence and inspiration toward our need to be watchful regarding the time we spend on the internet, social media, and our smartphones. I was drawn into the book from the beginning by the sharing of the author’s personal experience with the effects of social media during the pandemic, and also by the sharing of disheartening statistics which especially concern young people today.
By making helpful connections to the fruit of the Holy Spirit, this book explains how we can build the values of contentment, resilience, and wisdom in our lives in light of the digital world’s ability to have just the opposite effects on us, causing unhealthy comparison, persistent discontentment, ungodly self-indulgence, and more.
The book rightly echoes the truth of how the world of social media is changing us and causing many to be addicted to it. In fact, the book points out that this is what those behind social media want it, so that we will give more of our time to the frenetic, never-satisfying ilk that it often is. The Analog Christian is a perfect reminder of these things, again fueling us to say no to allowing the digital world to fool us into giving it so much of our time. With the focus on the fruit of the Spirit, the reader is drawn into the things that truly matter, qualities that we should seek to grow in in our daily lives.
The only frustration I had with the book was when something would be written as “this is why _______ said…,” but it the *why* of what they said actually can’t be 100% known for certain. For example, the book might say, “This is why Paul begins and ends his letter to the Romans” in such and such way, rather than “Perhaps this is why Paul…” Maybe I’m just being picky, but it bothers me when anyone does that unless the Bible explicitly says why, especially because I know those in my generation and younger would likely pick something like this apart in an unhelpful way to their faith.
All in all, The Analog Christian contains a essential, timely message for our time, especially for those born in the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and younger. Just as I found in this book myself, the reader is bound to discover a vast wealth of wisdom, wisdom that we desperately need to understand and to heed. By taking this book’s message to heart, we can take back the reigns from a world of smartphones and social media which so often affects us adversely and seeks to influence us in problematic ways.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book for free from Netgalley, and am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.
By making helpful connections to the fruit of the Holy Spirit, this book explains how we can build the values of contentment, resilience, and wisdom in our lives in light of the digital world’s ability to have just the opposite effects on us, causing unhealthy comparison, persistent discontentment, ungodly self-indulgence, and more.
The book rightly echoes the truth of how the world of social media is changing us and causing many to be addicted to it. In fact, the book points out that this is what those behind social media want it, so that we will give more of our time to the frenetic, never-satisfying ilk that it often is. The Analog Christian is a perfect reminder of these things, again fueling us to say no to allowing the digital world to fool us into giving it so much of our time. With the focus on the fruit of the Spirit, the reader is drawn into the things that truly matter, qualities that we should seek to grow in in our daily lives.
The only frustration I had with the book was when something would be written as “this is why _______ said…,” but it the *why* of what they said actually can’t be 100% known for certain. For example, the book might say, “This is why Paul begins and ends his letter to the Romans” in such and such way, rather than “Perhaps this is why Paul…” Maybe I’m just being picky, but it bothers me when anyone does that unless the Bible explicitly says why, especially because I know those in my generation and younger would likely pick something like this apart in an unhelpful way to their faith.
All in all, The Analog Christian contains a essential, timely message for our time, especially for those born in the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and younger. Just as I found in this book myself, the reader is bound to discover a vast wealth of wisdom, wisdom that we desperately need to understand and to heed. By taking this book’s message to heart, we can take back the reigns from a world of smartphones and social media which so often affects us adversely and seeks to influence us in problematic ways.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book for free from Netgalley, and am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.
June 15, 2024
Pastor Jay Kim explores how the digital age and social media affect the life and discipleship of Christians in Analog Christian. Kim isn't a luddite who thinks we shouldn't use technology, his church is in Silicon Valley and he uses technology like everyone else. But today are we using technology or is it controlling us? Kim uses the Fruit of the Spirit to compare and contrast with technology and social media to highlight the attributes Christians should strive to embody and how easy technology makes it for us to do the opposite. Kim divides the chapters into three section - Cultivating Contentment, Cultivating Resilience, and Cultivating Wisdom. He does a great job in each chapter of giving good, real world examples and ways Christians can combat these temptations. I feel like often Christian books can be too heavy handed or repetitive and often use ridiculous examples that feel like they are for children. Kim's book is not like that. He makes his case well, the writing is good and engaging, and he also includes some discussion questions at the end for each chapter. I think this would be a great small group book because it's so relevant and it's just so easy to get caught up in the current technology and instant gratification culture. Like most things there is a middle ground with technology and as Christians we should look at everything through the lens of the Bible and find ways to use technology without letting it control or use us.
Some quotes I liked:
"For every person killed by another, there are more than two and a half people killed by themselves...Between 2006 and 2016, the suicide rate for those between ages ten and seventeen rose by 70 percent. In that same time, the number of high school students who admitted having suicidal thoughts rose by 25 percent and the number of teens diagnosed with clinical depression rose by nearly 40 percent." (p. 18)
"What we need in the digital age is less food delivery and more farming. This is probably true in a literal sense, but it is undoubtedly true metaphorically. The fact that the Scriptures use agrarian imagery to describe the life of formation into Christ-likeness is not primarily because society was agrarian at the time - it's because farming and gardening are patient works. And so is discipleship to Jesus." (p. 72)
"The theologian Esau McCaulley puts it this way: 'God's vision for his people is not for the elimination of ethnicity to form a colorblind uniformity of sanctified blandness. Instead, God sees the creation of a community of different cultures united by faith in his Son as a manifestation of the expansive nature of his grace.'" (p. 98-99)
"For most of my life, evangelical Christianity has been the awkward kid lingering on the fringes of the in-crowd, desperate to get into the club. This is why leaders like [Carl] Lentz [of Hillsongs Church] stand out. He'd achieved what we all thought we wanted - cultural relevance. But as Sixsmith writes, 'If they share 90 percent of my lifestyle and values, then there is nothing especially inspiring about them. Instead of making me want to become more like them, it looks very much as if they want to become more like me.' While achieving cultural relevance isn't all bad, when it comes at the cost of faithfulness, it's hollow at best and destructive at worst." (p. 114-15)
"Recent data shows that up to 40 percent of the population qualifies categorically as internet addicts. Another data point reveals that among university students, nearly 90 percent are either addicted or bordering on digital addiction...Adam Alter puts it this way: 'Life is more convenient than ever, but convenience has also weaponized temptation.' Ease of use, accessibility, and speed have overwhelmed our senses with digital temptations." (p. 138)
Some quotes I liked:
"For every person killed by another, there are more than two and a half people killed by themselves...Between 2006 and 2016, the suicide rate for those between ages ten and seventeen rose by 70 percent. In that same time, the number of high school students who admitted having suicidal thoughts rose by 25 percent and the number of teens diagnosed with clinical depression rose by nearly 40 percent." (p. 18)
"What we need in the digital age is less food delivery and more farming. This is probably true in a literal sense, but it is undoubtedly true metaphorically. The fact that the Scriptures use agrarian imagery to describe the life of formation into Christ-likeness is not primarily because society was agrarian at the time - it's because farming and gardening are patient works. And so is discipleship to Jesus." (p. 72)
"The theologian Esau McCaulley puts it this way: 'God's vision for his people is not for the elimination of ethnicity to form a colorblind uniformity of sanctified blandness. Instead, God sees the creation of a community of different cultures united by faith in his Son as a manifestation of the expansive nature of his grace.'" (p. 98-99)
"For most of my life, evangelical Christianity has been the awkward kid lingering on the fringes of the in-crowd, desperate to get into the club. This is why leaders like [Carl] Lentz [of Hillsongs Church] stand out. He'd achieved what we all thought we wanted - cultural relevance. But as Sixsmith writes, 'If they share 90 percent of my lifestyle and values, then there is nothing especially inspiring about them. Instead of making me want to become more like them, it looks very much as if they want to become more like me.' While achieving cultural relevance isn't all bad, when it comes at the cost of faithfulness, it's hollow at best and destructive at worst." (p. 114-15)
"Recent data shows that up to 40 percent of the population qualifies categorically as internet addicts. Another data point reveals that among university students, nearly 90 percent are either addicted or bordering on digital addiction...Adam Alter puts it this way: 'Life is more convenient than ever, but convenience has also weaponized temptation.' Ease of use, accessibility, and speed have overwhelmed our senses with digital temptations." (p. 138)
August 8, 2022
What has the Internet and social media done to our souls? In Analog Christian, Jay Y. Kim helps you cultivate contentment, resilience, and wisdom in the digital age.
Discipleship in the Digital Age
Published only two years after his first book, Analog Church, this book makes sense out of the state of our discipleship in the digital age. While Analog Church looked at true Christian community, Analog Christian looks at true Christian discipleship. Our spiritual formation is shaped by our digital lives.
As the effects of the pandemic pushes on, Kim sees how it has left a deficit in three key areas of his life: Contentment, resilience, and wisdom. Our increasingly online lives and non-stop use of social media had left him spiritually dry. The book is divided into three sections that show us how he had helped cultivate these virtues once again.
Kim opens with a cut to the heart as explains how our desires for likes will never fill our search for love. Instead of looking for approval on Instagram, he reminds us that we can find comfort in the fact that God already loves us. He tells a personal story of how he once experienced great love from his mom – similar to what Peter must have felt from our Lord. Our sense of self is restored when we realize that being loved by God means more than being liked by the world.
Exposing Subtle Sins
What Kim does exceptionally well is expose our subtle sins. I was most interested in Chapter 4, where Kim shines the light on our lack of patience. The digital age has brought us unprecedented speed, and it has left our spiritual lives in the dust. He reminds us of Jesus, who lived a decidedly unhurried life. While he had much to do, and with his work being urgent, he remained resigned to his Father’s timetable. Kim calls us to remain in Jesus – to truly abide in him. We allow time to grow branches from the vine. Relationships require long-suffering. And Kim promises that we will find life to be worth living.
I was most challenged to see how achieving cultural relevance can come at the cost of faithfulness. Celebrity, status, and fame are constantly in front of our eyes. We can even see it in Christian culture. Kim urges us to ordinary faithfulness. And when we are paralyzed by our own unbelief, we can trust that God remains faithful even when we are not.
Unplug from the Digital Domain
This book is for those who are weary from the online world. It is a call to come back to God’s Word, allowing it to shape your heart more than social media. It is a summons to spend time with Jesus more than chasing clout and influence. Pastors will find that they don’t have to feel the push and pull of trending topics. Teens don’t have to fall into the comparison trap. Working adults and parents alike don’t have to chase after achievements and approval. Unplug from the digital domain. Plant your soul near streams of living water.
I received a media copy of Analog Christian and this is my honest review.
Discipleship in the Digital Age
Published only two years after his first book, Analog Church, this book makes sense out of the state of our discipleship in the digital age. While Analog Church looked at true Christian community, Analog Christian looks at true Christian discipleship. Our spiritual formation is shaped by our digital lives.
As the effects of the pandemic pushes on, Kim sees how it has left a deficit in three key areas of his life: Contentment, resilience, and wisdom. Our increasingly online lives and non-stop use of social media had left him spiritually dry. The book is divided into three sections that show us how he had helped cultivate these virtues once again.
Kim opens with a cut to the heart as explains how our desires for likes will never fill our search for love. Instead of looking for approval on Instagram, he reminds us that we can find comfort in the fact that God already loves us. He tells a personal story of how he once experienced great love from his mom – similar to what Peter must have felt from our Lord. Our sense of self is restored when we realize that being loved by God means more than being liked by the world.
Exposing Subtle Sins
What Kim does exceptionally well is expose our subtle sins. I was most interested in Chapter 4, where Kim shines the light on our lack of patience. The digital age has brought us unprecedented speed, and it has left our spiritual lives in the dust. He reminds us of Jesus, who lived a decidedly unhurried life. While he had much to do, and with his work being urgent, he remained resigned to his Father’s timetable. Kim calls us to remain in Jesus – to truly abide in him. We allow time to grow branches from the vine. Relationships require long-suffering. And Kim promises that we will find life to be worth living.
I was most challenged to see how achieving cultural relevance can come at the cost of faithfulness. Celebrity, status, and fame are constantly in front of our eyes. We can even see it in Christian culture. Kim urges us to ordinary faithfulness. And when we are paralyzed by our own unbelief, we can trust that God remains faithful even when we are not.
Unplug from the Digital Domain
This book is for those who are weary from the online world. It is a call to come back to God’s Word, allowing it to shape your heart more than social media. It is a summons to spend time with Jesus more than chasing clout and influence. Pastors will find that they don’t have to feel the push and pull of trending topics. Teens don’t have to fall into the comparison trap. Working adults and parents alike don’t have to chase after achievements and approval. Unplug from the digital domain. Plant your soul near streams of living water.
I received a media copy of Analog Christian and this is my honest review.
September 16, 2022
Back in 2020, I greatly enjoyed
Analog Church
, Jay Y. Kim's prescient book about the importance of church gatherings and the physical elements of the Christian faith. In this follow-up book, he addresses themes from the pandemic and long-running issues related to people's digital habits and conduct online. I wasn't sure if this book would be as unique and special as Analog Church, but Analog Christian offers a distinct perspective and a helpful framework for understanding the deeper heart issues involved in how our digital devices are shaping us.
Fruits of the Spirit
Kim organizes this book around the fruits of the Spirit, showing how each one helps us heal from the toxic mindsets and behaviors that the digital world cultivates. For example, he writes about choosing love instead of "self-centric despair," and about cultivating peace rather than contempt. He frequently illustrates concepts with meaningful stories, and he weaves Bible verses into his writing in a natural, holistic way. They never seem tacked-on, and are an integral part of his perspective.
I appreciate the depths of wisdom and spiritual maturity that Kim brought to this project, and they especially shine through in the chapters about contempt and hostility. He writes about political division without drawing his own lines in the sand, and he never blames The Other Side for the rage, despair, and relational dysfunction that we see around us. In fact, he never takes a side at all, and when he writes about destructive things that people do, he shares recognizable examples from both sides of the political divide. I'm used to people using the topic of division as a chance to jab at the people they disagree with, but Kim never does this once in the entire book, exemplifying the virtues he is encouraging.
Recommendation
Analog Christian is a great book for mature teenagers and adults who want to reevaluate how the digital world is shaping them. However, this book isn't about life hacks or breaking a phone addiction. It goes much deeper than that. Kim shares essential context about why digital technologies are so influential, seductive, and habit-changing, so no one needs to read a sociological study first, but people like me who have already read lots of books about the dark side of the digital world will still find new insights to ponder here. Kim reframes the whole problem in light of spiritual maturity and habits of character, and in so doing, he provides a path forward that promises far more than surface-level changes.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Fruits of the Spirit
Kim organizes this book around the fruits of the Spirit, showing how each one helps us heal from the toxic mindsets and behaviors that the digital world cultivates. For example, he writes about choosing love instead of "self-centric despair," and about cultivating peace rather than contempt. He frequently illustrates concepts with meaningful stories, and he weaves Bible verses into his writing in a natural, holistic way. They never seem tacked-on, and are an integral part of his perspective.
I appreciate the depths of wisdom and spiritual maturity that Kim brought to this project, and they especially shine through in the chapters about contempt and hostility. He writes about political division without drawing his own lines in the sand, and he never blames The Other Side for the rage, despair, and relational dysfunction that we see around us. In fact, he never takes a side at all, and when he writes about destructive things that people do, he shares recognizable examples from both sides of the political divide. I'm used to people using the topic of division as a chance to jab at the people they disagree with, but Kim never does this once in the entire book, exemplifying the virtues he is encouraging.
Recommendation
Analog Christian is a great book for mature teenagers and adults who want to reevaluate how the digital world is shaping them. However, this book isn't about life hacks or breaking a phone addiction. It goes much deeper than that. Kim shares essential context about why digital technologies are so influential, seductive, and habit-changing, so no one needs to read a sociological study first, but people like me who have already read lots of books about the dark side of the digital world will still find new insights to ponder here. Kim reframes the whole problem in light of spiritual maturity and habits of character, and in so doing, he provides a path forward that promises far more than surface-level changes.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 8, 2022
This is a great book about growing in the fruit of the Spirit in a digital age. He separates the fruit of the spirit in three main areas: contentment, resilience, and wisdom. Each chapter in those parts tackles a fruit of the spirit in contrast to what our digit lives are producing in us: Love instead of self-centric despair, peace instead of contempt, kindness and goodness instead of hostility, gentleness instead of outrage, etc.
Framing the fruit of the spirit in light of these specific temptations of our age is useful and helpful. It is really what sets the book apart and makes it more unique. The book pays special attention to how social media and our digital lives particularly move us away from the fruit of the spirit. What's useful is that the book does not argue for a monastic retreat from digital life, but a more intentional life.
Honestly, I am usually wary of books that are only 150ish pages. It makes me wonder if there is enough meat that makes the book worth reading. This book is worth it. Each chapter is meaty and weighty. It could have easily been another 100 pages, but it would have lost its succinctness.
I think this book is useful for both laity and pastors.
I received a copy of this book from netgalley.
Framing the fruit of the spirit in light of these specific temptations of our age is useful and helpful. It is really what sets the book apart and makes it more unique. The book pays special attention to how social media and our digital lives particularly move us away from the fruit of the spirit. What's useful is that the book does not argue for a monastic retreat from digital life, but a more intentional life.
Honestly, I am usually wary of books that are only 150ish pages. It makes me wonder if there is enough meat that makes the book worth reading. This book is worth it. Each chapter is meaty and weighty. It could have easily been another 100 pages, but it would have lost its succinctness.
I think this book is useful for both laity and pastors.
I received a copy of this book from netgalley.
January 4, 2025
The author’s approach, contrasting the fruit of the spirit with the spirit of the modern digital age, is interesting, but his execution is just mediocre. He has good things to say, but generally not anything new. I also found his illustrations unnecessarily sensational?? Like he took them straight from the home screen of his internet browser?? I don’t think there’s anything theologically questionable going on here, just nothing overly enlightening either.
August 26, 2025
I was a bit reluctant to read this, thinking it might be another ‘self-help’ list of do’s and dont’s. But it’s actually much more about the fruit of the spirit, than the topic of the digital age. I found it really helpful, an easy read and relevant to anyone who is seeking to build a foundation of the fruit of the spirit in day to day life decisions and activities in our current world.
June 3, 2025
Love Jay’s style of writing and how he clearly communicates his concerns about our digital culture.
July 23, 2025
Incredibly wise & relevant. Love how it is presented & organized. Must read for any Christian today.
February 5, 2024
Not as strong as 'Analog Church' though a worthwhile companion. Perhaps I was expecting a more practical implementation of analog practices, whereas this title feels like more of a reflective overview. It took a lot of warming up, but the last two chapters really seemed to shine.
October 20, 2024
Wow. This little book is jam packed with practical theology and wisdom to both encourage and challenge Christians to “cultivate contentment, resilience, and wisdom in the digital age.” Highly recommend!
January 24, 2024
This book was incredibly helpful and applicable. Kim walks through eight traits or dangers he has identified people experiencing and how technology magnifies these struggles. However, I like that (being a pastor in Silicon Valley), he doesn’t blame technology entirely but instead points out that the roots of these things go far deeper than our smartphones and social media. However, because phones & media are “clicked” more when operating within these negative tendencies (examples: outrage, comparison, reckless indulgence, etc), he encourages us to be wary of how we easily switch from the users of technology to being used by technology.
But the best part: he offers familiar yet refreshing hope. How? The fruits of the spirit! Each chapter he opens with explaining our need or downfall, and then pairs it with a solution of pursuing a deeper experience of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. These are all grouped into subtitles of contentment, resilience, and wisdom - three major qualities Kim seems to have noted are necessary yet lacking in this digital age. The cool part is, these pairs and groupings are not ordered the way I would’ve expected. The solution to self centric despair is love (spoiler: NOT self-love)? Forgetfulness is resolved by faithfulness? Read more if this piques your interest, because he explains it in such a way that feels beautifully relatable and applicable.
Speaking of applicable, this is a book I’m hoping I’ll return to often, particularly in college ministry. With some of the stats shared in one of the last chapters, technology addiction is so prevalent that it’s safer to assume the people I interact with struggle with this rather than assume they don’t. The content in the chapters don’t offer a plethora of practical tips, but I discovered the questions at the end after finishing reading that seem to offer more. I’m going to go through these questions on my own, and expect to use the questions at the very least, the book at the most within conversations in ministry to come.
This being said, whether you’re in full time ministry or not, this is a great and highly recommended read from me. Kim writes out of humility (he’s quick to admit to where he struggles), encouragement (he gives real life examples in people he knows), and in such a way that is so approachable. What he writes about is so so prevalent and needed for all followers of Jesus who have a smartphone within reach.
But the best part: he offers familiar yet refreshing hope. How? The fruits of the spirit! Each chapter he opens with explaining our need or downfall, and then pairs it with a solution of pursuing a deeper experience of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. These are all grouped into subtitles of contentment, resilience, and wisdom - three major qualities Kim seems to have noted are necessary yet lacking in this digital age. The cool part is, these pairs and groupings are not ordered the way I would’ve expected. The solution to self centric despair is love (spoiler: NOT self-love)? Forgetfulness is resolved by faithfulness? Read more if this piques your interest, because he explains it in such a way that feels beautifully relatable and applicable.
Speaking of applicable, this is a book I’m hoping I’ll return to often, particularly in college ministry. With some of the stats shared in one of the last chapters, technology addiction is so prevalent that it’s safer to assume the people I interact with struggle with this rather than assume they don’t. The content in the chapters don’t offer a plethora of practical tips, but I discovered the questions at the end after finishing reading that seem to offer more. I’m going to go through these questions on my own, and expect to use the questions at the very least, the book at the most within conversations in ministry to come.
This being said, whether you’re in full time ministry or not, this is a great and highly recommended read from me. Kim writes out of humility (he’s quick to admit to where he struggles), encouragement (he gives real life examples in people he knows), and in such a way that is so approachable. What he writes about is so so prevalent and needed for all followers of Jesus who have a smartphone within reach.
April 10, 2022
Analog Christian by Jay Y. Kim is one of the most vital books I have read this year. Kim addresses arguably the most important formational influence on our generation. Even from within the industry itself, the alarms are ringing about the negative effects of digital technologies and social media. It is now clear that our emotions, beliefs and views can be manipulated by these technologies. Kim wants us to be aware of how social media influences our faith and character and how we can overcome these through a life of walking by the Spirit. He is not advocating a wholesale rejection of digital tech, rather, he is encouraging mindful awareness, moderation and spiritual formation. The author leads the reader through an inspirational study of Galatians 5, showing how, by cultivating the fruit of the Spirit, we are able to counter the corrosive effects of digital tech. The writing is entertaining, inspirational and intelligent. Kim engages widely with a range of discussion partners, including theologians, ministers, psychologists, mainstream media, researchers and more. His thesis is compelling and we need to pay attention to what he is saying. Every Christian who is serious in their pursuit of Christ needs to read this book. Kim provides excellent discussion questions and I highly recommend "Analog Christian" for small group studies. I would also recommend that every Pastor, Minister and Church leader read this book to gain a better understanding of the influences of digital tech on ourselves and our communities.
August 11, 2022
Analog Christian
Cultivating Contentment, Resilience, and Wisdom in the Digital Age
by Jay Y. Kim
Pub Date 26 Jul 2022
InterVarsity Press, IVP
Christian | Nonfiction (Adult) | Religion & Spirituality
I am reviewing a copy of Analog Christian: Cultivating Contentment, Resilience, and Wisdom in the Digital Age through InterVarsity Press and Netgalley:
In the digital age, technology has a way of commodifying our attention. The technology we have today are determined to keep us scrolling and swiping at all costs, plugged into a feedback loop of impatience, comparison, outrage, and contempt. Blind to the dangers, we enjoy its temporary pleasures, unaware of the damage to our souls.
Jay Kim explored Analog Christian, he asks the same question of Christian discipleship, as he did in his previous book Analog Church. As the digital age inclines us to discontentment, fragility, and foolishness, how are followers of Jesus to respond? What is the theological basis for living in creative resistance to the forces of our day? How can Christians cultivate the contentment, resilience, and wisdom to not only survive but to thrive as we navigate the specific challenges of our age?
I give Analog Christian five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
Cultivating Contentment, Resilience, and Wisdom in the Digital Age
by Jay Y. Kim
Pub Date 26 Jul 2022
InterVarsity Press, IVP
Christian | Nonfiction (Adult) | Religion & Spirituality
I am reviewing a copy of Analog Christian: Cultivating Contentment, Resilience, and Wisdom in the Digital Age through InterVarsity Press and Netgalley:
In the digital age, technology has a way of commodifying our attention. The technology we have today are determined to keep us scrolling and swiping at all costs, plugged into a feedback loop of impatience, comparison, outrage, and contempt. Blind to the dangers, we enjoy its temporary pleasures, unaware of the damage to our souls.
Jay Kim explored Analog Christian, he asks the same question of Christian discipleship, as he did in his previous book Analog Church. As the digital age inclines us to discontentment, fragility, and foolishness, how are followers of Jesus to respond? What is the theological basis for living in creative resistance to the forces of our day? How can Christians cultivate the contentment, resilience, and wisdom to not only survive but to thrive as we navigate the specific challenges of our age?
I give Analog Christian five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
January 21, 2025
Jay Kim addresses how Christians can cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in the digital age through the lens of contentment, resilience, and wisdom. He discusses each of the fruits (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) and the corresponding dangers into which the digital age has led us.
Cultivating Contentment - Joy Instead of Comparison
"The digital and cultural facades may look like joy and sound like joy, but they are far from the real thing. Genuine joy is found, full and complete, in nearness and proximity to God, the most joyous being in the universe, our one and only source of real joy."
Cultivating Resilience - Kindness and Goodness Instead of Hostility
"To be good is to be generous in spirit, to be generous with our strength, energy, access, advantage, skill, and emotion. Furthermore, to be good is to be generous in these ways to friends and foes alike. This is goodness born of the Spirit's work within."
Cultivating Wisdom - Self-Control Instead of Reckless Indulgence
"Self-control is a set of boundaries that actually frees us. Specifically, it frees followers of Jesus from the paralyzing power of our deceitful hearts, which so often lead us down the path of reckless indulgence."
Cultivating Contentment - Joy Instead of Comparison
"The digital and cultural facades may look like joy and sound like joy, but they are far from the real thing. Genuine joy is found, full and complete, in nearness and proximity to God, the most joyous being in the universe, our one and only source of real joy."
Cultivating Resilience - Kindness and Goodness Instead of Hostility
"To be good is to be generous in spirit, to be generous with our strength, energy, access, advantage, skill, and emotion. Furthermore, to be good is to be generous in these ways to friends and foes alike. This is goodness born of the Spirit's work within."
Cultivating Wisdom - Self-Control Instead of Reckless Indulgence
"Self-control is a set of boundaries that actually frees us. Specifically, it frees followers of Jesus from the paralyzing power of our deceitful hearts, which so often lead us down the path of reckless indulgence."
August 10, 2023
I initially borrowed this book from a local public library and ended up buying it on Kindle--that's how good this book is! In this book, Jay Y. Kim, who is the pastor of a church, argues that the way to deal with the dangers of Internet addiction is by practicing the fruit of the Spirit--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. He draws contrasts between each of these virtues and common behaviors and attitudes that often characterize our engagement with social media.
I found Jay's observations particularly insightful, and I noted that he has a real gift for language--he writes very well, in a way that engages both the hearts and minds of his readers.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to find tools that will help him or her to avoid becoming enslaved to the Internet and social media. I can see this book being helpful for college or seminary classes in ethics, spiritual formation, social media, or for cell groups, men's/women's groups in churches, or even for personal spiritual growth.
I found Jay's observations particularly insightful, and I noted that he has a real gift for language--he writes very well, in a way that engages both the hearts and minds of his readers.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to find tools that will help him or her to avoid becoming enslaved to the Internet and social media. I can see this book being helpful for college or seminary classes in ethics, spiritual formation, social media, or for cell groups, men's/women's groups in churches, or even for personal spiritual growth.
March 28, 2025
4.5 rounded up. Very helpful tool for either individual Christians or a group/class, in discerning the modern day Christian's relationship to the digital age/technology/social media. We went through this chapter by chapter as a class of folks who had mostly not read, and that worked well. One could also just snag the book and read it solo, for personal reflection. My/our primary complaint would be that he actually doesn't go into as much detail about "the digital age" in each chapter as he could. The reflections on the fruit of the Spirit are great, but we found the reflections on the digital age to be even more insightful, and simply wanted more of that material. Overall, I am grateful for writers/thinkers/clergy who are helping their communities or our wider Christian community think carefully about our relationship to all things digital.
January 11, 2023
This an excellent book mining Paul's teaching about the fruit of the Spirit to help us counter the deleterious effects of the digital age. At first, l thought the book's ideas needed to be digested by the author some more so that they could be presented more crisply and cleanly. I felt like there was a litany of quotes that didn't really form a coherent argument. But as I pressed into the book and grew used to the author's style, I appreciated his deep insight and wisdom. This will definitely be a book I will use when teaching on the fruit of the Spirit. And it is a book I will come back to, to encourage my own walk with Jesus.
October 16, 2024
Some books take me far too long to get around to reading. This was one of them. Taking readers through the fruits of the spirit in real life, Jay Kim reminds us of what matters most and the personal challenges of following Jesus in a digital age. He uses personal examples that are often embarrassingly relatable. And I finished reading with a greater desire to follow Jesus, despite the reminder that it can be difficult and painful but worth it. I will be rereading the book soon, probably slower so I can attempt to put some of the lessons and challenges into practice in my own life.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and have reviewed it willingly.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and have reviewed it willingly.
November 8, 2022
This book is a good reminder of how we are always following a liturgy that is forming our character. If we forget that or are unaware of that fact, we are following the liturgy of our culture and being shaped by our culture’s values.
Specifically, Jay Kim explains how the digital age often breeds character traits antithetical to the Fruit of the Spirit. Let us never forget the power of habits and continue to grow in wisdom as we interact with others online in our tech saturated world.
Specifically, Jay Kim explains how the digital age often breeds character traits antithetical to the Fruit of the Spirit. Let us never forget the power of habits and continue to grow in wisdom as we interact with others online in our tech saturated world.
December 29, 2022
I think that the strength of this book lies in the comparison of the fruit of the Spirit with their alternatives. Its discussion of the digital world for Christians was not particularly helpful, but Kim’s words on the fruit of the Spirit are timeless—not limited to any age.
“Faith is more than momentary assent to the truth of God. It is commitment to that truth, and it manifests itself in continued obedience” (104-105).
“Faith is more than momentary assent to the truth of God. It is commitment to that truth, and it manifests itself in continued obedience” (104-105).
September 4, 2023
Kim had many helpful thoughts on how to live out your Christianity, I wish he had just stuck to that. Instead he blames social media for all societal ills. He basically points out an issue, blames SM, and uses this for a launching pad to talk about a specific Christian issues that we all need do better at.
IMO, social media is not an evil force in society. It can and has been utilized for much good. I suspect people said the same type of things when the printing press was invented!
IMO, social media is not an evil force in society. It can and has been utilized for much good. I suspect people said the same type of things when the printing press was invented!
April 17, 2022
This book is a great reminder of what it means to live and love as a diverse community in the body of Christ. How we love others in the body and out are a testament the Spirit in us. It’s about cultivating the fruits of the spirit in us in order to be a more perfect reflection of Christ to the world.
February 8, 2023
This is a good book for self reflection and being more aware of how much time you spend on social media and digital devices in general, particularly when it is unnecessary devices.
I don’t think this book says anything ground breaking or particularly surprising, but makes you actually think about the things that you are already aware of but choosing to ignore.
I don’t think this book says anything ground breaking or particularly surprising, but makes you actually think about the things that you are already aware of but choosing to ignore.
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