Whoa! It’s been a little while since I’ve visited this blog—much less posted. Now that I’ve broken the Cardinal Rule of posting regularly, I am less bothered by breaking another in apologising for it. Sorry.
I was recently challenged about my motivation for blogging. (Although to be fair: I haven’t exactly been keeping it up). It came from the minister of my church, Andy Gemmill. Essentially, Andy said that it is very difficult indeed to blog without being self-promoting.
He started off by countering the common view that technology is neutral (ie morally). He made the point that we, as rebels before God in our natural state, are not spiritually neutral; therefore anything we produce cannot be neutral—but will more easily be used for harm than good. Although he was clear that technology can be used for good, as well as bad.
I am inclined to agree with him, although I am not sure to what extent. Can a mere artifact, lacking moral capacity, have a moral implication (without a person acting upon it or with it)? Or does the very act of creating an artifact impress some moral aspect? Andy leaned towards the latter. And the more I think about it, I do as well—though I am not sure how it works. What do you think?
Anyway, he made a good point: whilst a blog can be a very good thing indeed, it will be an uphill struggle to do it right. He noted that blogs will easily—naturally—be full of triviality and self-promotion. And before you think that self promotion need not be a bad thing, take a look at the following verses from 1 Corinthians 13:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
How is that self-promoting? Wouldn’t you rather read a blog (or be friends with someone) like that?
I know I have fallen into the trap of self promotion often, and I will have to think carefully about when and what I write. Feel free to call me out when you think I am promoting myself too much.
Matt's Musing 
I think blogs can be used negatively and for self promotion. I also think they can accomplish a lot of good. Most probably touch on both ends of the spectrum, assuming the person is attempting to use a blog for good. We are all somewhere in the middle.
A blog in itself is merely a reflection of the person writing it. It is like a book, newspaper or social media site — a tool that can used for good and bad. To the degree that we are allen flawed people, it is easy for any of us to use a tool for things such as self promotion rather than Kingdom growth.
If your heart and your purpose are in the right place, your blog will accomplish good for the Kingdom.
Thanks for your comment John. I agree that a blog is a reflection of the author. On that note, perhaps it’s impossible to avoid at least some degree of self promotion (ie someone actually wrote it, and it’s there to read!).
Good stuff from the Gemster, as usual. Here’s my bit of self-promo(!) – aims of blogging which motivate me, and some wiser words from others.