Trouble Memorizing Scripture? Scientists say, “Turn Off Your Computer and Go Outside”

In: Spiritual Formation

Commitment:
  • Words: 244
  • Sentences: 12
  • Grade level: 9.6-12.4
  • Read time: ~1.2 min @ 200WPM

6 Jan 2009

Narrow is the path that leads to righteousness The Scriptures tell us we are to mediate on the words of the Bible “day and night” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-2). This requires that we care for our minds and make ourselves aware of how our technology and environment affects our ability to focus on the Scriptures. A few recent studies indicate that being constantly connected to technology impairs our minds, affecting this aspect of spirituality.

  1. A study from the University of Michigan says that going outside and spending a few moments with nature – you know, that thing we’re supposed to take care of (Gen 2:15) – can improve your focus, memory, and attention.
  2. At the same time, scientists also say that city life can dull our thinking. “After spending a few minutes on a crowded city street, the brain is less able to hold things in memory, and suffers from reduced self-control.” This study also suggests that nature can improve the brain’s ability to think.
  3. Earlier last year, Nicholas Carr asked the question, “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” which suggested that our brains are adapting to searching rather than knowing. We can know process lots of little pieces of information, but not large blocks. (The Bible is a large block).

Computers are a blast and necessary in our day, but if we want to grow spiritually, the scientists seem to be saying that we should spend a little less time with our creations and a little more time with God’s.

6 Responses to Trouble Memorizing Scripture? Scientists say, “Turn Off Your Computer and Go Outside”

  1. Avatar

    russ

    January 6th, 2009 at 9:52 am

    Golden.

    Reply

  2. Avatar

    Amber

    January 6th, 2009 at 10:00 am

    I am going to have my class read this when we study the Romantics in my World Literature class. . . Much of Wordsworth and Keats’s poetry deals with this theme of nature and our need to get away from the industrialized world for a bit to connect deeply with God.

    Reply

  3. Avatar

    Rick Smith

    January 6th, 2009 at 3:20 pm

    Really great thoughts. As we have talked about, I do think through the fact of our brains being “trained” if you will by “services” such as google, twitter, facebook, etc. We are becoming accustomed to rapid amounts of small tid-bits of information, and rather we know it or not; all of this is impacting our thinking, communication style, etc. (Not just with people, but even in the way by which we communicate with God. As if God only wants us to “micro-blog” our life to Him.)

    Although I really enjoy “social networking” I always want to enjoy my “real life” relationships and spend more time pouring into those then I do these “virtual” ones.

    I think a computer fast would do many of us good – myself very much included.

    Reply

  4. Avatar

    Communicate Jesus

    January 13th, 2009 at 9:54 pm

    On the flip side, there are some great tools for memorising scripture that technology provides. For example, I’m trying the Mental Case app for my iphone – it’s like an electronic flash card system, and I’m finding it useful.

    Reply

  5. Avatar

    Nathan (MediaPeople)

    January 16th, 2009 at 12:14 pm

    Loving this blog and particularly this post. I will be back in the future to read more.

    I have always wondered about computers, the way our brain works and spirituality. I find preparing for messages that just pushing away from the computer and or writing and then transferring my notes to digital alway “unlocks something” for me spiritually.

    Thanks man.

    Reply

  6. Avatar

    Trevor_Memory

    September 17th, 2009 at 11:23 am

    Living a healthy lifestyle can improve our memory because we have so little stress.

    Reply

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About this blog

John DyerI'm John Dyer a web developer working on sites like Best Commentaries, Bible Web App, Dallas Seminary. I'm also a seminary graduate and teacher at Irving Bible Church.

This blog is about the the role of technology in the redemptive movement from the Garden to the City. I believe technology is an amazing testament to the creativity embedded in the imago dei, but instead of assuming technology is always a neutral tool, I believe it - like culture in general - profoundly influences us.

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  • The Cornwall Alliance: Technological Theory at Work
  • How Roasting Coffee Helped Me Understand Technology and Theology
  • Learning from Buber: I-Thou and I-It
  • Prepackaged Communion and Albert Borgmann’s Device Paradigm
  • Technology is Kinda Like Money
  • What Can Hard Drives Teach Us about Forgiveness?
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Asides

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Fascinating look at the science of the brain’s response to seeking and rewards: http://www.slate.com/id/2224932/ (1)

Roman Catholic Church Expresses Concern Regarding Social Technologies
The head of the British Roman Catholic church says,

“I think there’s a worry that an excessive use, or an almost exclusive use of text and emails means that as a society we’re losing some of the ability to build interpersonal communication that’s necessary for living together and building a community.”
(0)

Internet Fatigue
CNN has a report on the phenomenon of internet fatigue. I wish they would have spent more time on giving suggestions for how to understand why this happens and how to avoid it. (0)

Articles and Tools on Texting
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Course Syllabus: Writing for Nonreaders in the Postprint Era
A humorous, but enlightening syllabus for a class on writing in the “postprint” era. Writing for nonreaders in the postprint era: “Students will examine why former generations carried around heavy clumps of bound paper and why they chose to read instead of watching TV or playing Guitar Hero.” (0)

Language Shapes Our Worldview
A psychology professor at Stanford University found that in languages with gender, the gender assigned to an objects tends to shape the way a speaker views that’s object. For example, in Spanish, “bridge” is masculine so Spanish speakers describe bridges as “strong” and “dangerous,” while German speakers for whom bridge is feminine tend to describe bridges as “fragile” and “beautiful.” Perhaps our own understanding of words like redemption, wrath, and adoption are also shaped by unseen factors. (0)

Survey Says Facebook Users Get Lower Grades
A study from educational researches at the Ohio State University found that students who regularly used facebook only study 1-5 hours per week and had GPAs in the 3.0-3.5 range, while non-facebook users study around 11-15 hours per week with GPAs in the 3.5-4.0 range. I wonder how church education compares? (0)

Risk-Reducing Technologies Increase Risk-Taking
The Pope and a Harvard scientist make an interesting argument that AIDS is increasing in Africa precisely because of condom distribution. More... (0)

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