Review: The New Media Frontier

As my Grandparents became young adults they had the opportunity to witness the dawning of the Space Age. As a teen and young adult myself I have had the opportunity to see the beginning of and explosion of the Information Age. This new era we have been ushered into presents us with many new ways to absorb, present and produce media and information. John Mark Reynolds and Roger Overton has compiled what I would think to call a collection of articles/essays introducing, explaining, and providing advice for how to engage this new age with a Christian conviction.

At the beginning of the book, titled “The Landscape of New Media” Reynolds and others provide a great background and lay a foundation for the place of new media in society. A great read for beginners or those a bit unfamiliar with the internet. Here all the basic are covered including blogging, podcasting, etc... The second part of the book “Engaging New Media” brings in experts to discuss topics such as theological blogging, pastors and new media, facebook and myspace use with youth ministry, evangelism and apologetics in new media, virtual classrooms, and many more. Almost of the articles/essays are thoughtful, well written and very up to date with their references.

As fast as the internet evolves some of this information may be outdated in as little as year, and in five years even more of it will be considered dated, but right now I don’t think there is a better book addressing these issues and ideas. I would highly recommend this book for today’s pastors and church leaders. Even students who have grow up with access to computers and the internet all their life would benefit from a close read of this title.