Breaking the Spell: Investigating Screen-Based Media for Gospel-Driven Outreach

Abstract

We live in a world of screens. In the past, we used them mainly for entertainment. However, in today’s digital age, we use screens for practical endeavors too. Their efficiency and emotional appeals create ample desire for film-based outreach. However, we do not always notice the ways screens subconsciously change us and our messages.Not only can screen-based media evoke temptations to idolatry, but they can also promote emotionalism, which appeals to American Evangelicalism. The question remains: Can the gospel-driven church use screen-based media for outreach in a digital age without undermining its theology? This thesis analyzes modern media ecology and current evangelism trends to identify the appeals and obstacles of screen-based outreach in a digital age. The reader will discover that breaking the spell of screen-based media equips the gospel-driven church to use screen-based media in moderation—supplemented with careful Bible study and personal outreach.