Well, this is embarrassing.
As many of you know, I work for Dallas Theological Seminary and, now that I’m about to be author, they’ve decided to feature me in a print advertisement that will appear in the ECHO Conference schedule. They’re even going to give away some copies of my book to prospective students.
The trick is that I have to come up with a short, punchy phrase about the relationship of our faith and our technology, and that’s where you come in:
Leave a caption in the comments that would attract an ECHO conference goer and help them see the value of a good biblical education. Oh, and the best 3 captions get a free book of their choice from www.wtsbooks.com
The Back Story
Now, lest you think I’m merely a DTS shill, I want to share a quick story.
A few months ago, I spoke at a large Christian conference and afterwards a man came up to me and said, “You know, during this entire conference, I haven’t really heard anyone talk about the Bible. It’s all strategies, ideas, and statistics. But even with all your philosophy and technology talk, you kept using the Scriptures in what you said. Thanks for that.”
Of course, I of all people can come up with a million nit-picky critiques about seminary, but at that moment I was really struck by how deeply DTS’s emphasis on the Scriptures had affected me. And that makes me kinda happy about being their shill.
Now, I just need you to help me communicate that in a fun catchy way – so caption away!
Don’t forget, the top 3 captioneers will get a free book of their choice from www.wtsbooks.com
How about “Technology is Fast, but Redemption is Slow” I can’t remember where I heard that before…
Ha! Thanks for the ego boost:)
Facebook, Twitter, Linked-in. How Christlike connections can make followers of Christ.
That’s a great use of social media language.
All I can think of at the moment is, “Technology keeps the zombies at bay.”
Clearly I’m not good at Friday afternoon writing assignments.
Moses: the first tablet user.
Nice! If only I had a beard.
I got nothing for a caption, but I’m totally going to have you sign my conference notebook.
My best idea: “Divinely inspired. Lewis Sperry Chafer Approved.”
Technology is now 50% more distractery
Another reason to never have to look you in the eye.
I think you should leave the ad the way it is: “Technology is.” It’s probably the most accurate statement one can make. Alternatively, but along the same line, “Technology is here.”
Wow, both of those suggestions are powerful. Thanks!
Haha. Whoa. Weird. I was going to suggest the same thing (late to the game)… and my name is Steve. Was this time travel?
But to add my (non-time-travel) two cents:
“Technology is changing. Is God?”
“Technology is here and is not silent.”
or
“Technology is here, so is God.”
(This is fun)
More effective than sunblock in keeping your pastey white skin pasteyer.
Is bringing sexy back.
Ok – I will stop now.
Maybe you don’t want to be “merely a DTS shill” instead.
“Technology is Killing You. There’s a Savior for That.”
Thanks for the typo catch!
I can’t not use my iPhone!
or
If you concentrate hard while squinting, you can even read on this thing.
or
Technology Gardening in the City (*cough* brown noser *cough*)
I like the second one.
Technology is causing you to sleep standing up.
Killer marketing! Hope you guys are doing well.
Technology is Older Than the Bible
Technology is a Tool. Use or Be Used.
Technology: Bringing Us Together or Tearing us Apart?
Technology Ends with “-logy”. We Should Study It.
Technology: Don’t Be a Weiner; Use it Properly (sorry, couldn’t resist!)
I like #2 and #4. Well done!
Technology is unnatural.
(use a graphic treatment on the “un” to highlight unnatural and natural.
I usually want things to have a lot of nuance, but ads really need some punch and this is a good idea.
New Tools. Ancient Faith.
Technology is our mandate.
“There is nothing new under the sun.”
“New media, same message.”
I really like your first two. The “mandate” idea really connects to Gen 1-2
Call me crazy, but I think the gray placeholder bar indicating an unfinished sentence is great exactly as it is. Somehow I suspect that will not go over in the context of the DTS marketing ethos, but it draws me in, in a way that none of the suggested elaborations do. I would just add a cutline to your name that identifies you as “author, From the Garden to the City: The Redeeming and Corrupting Power of Technology”—as famous as you are, perhaps there are one or two people who won’t instantly recognize you. 🙂
Andy,
That’s a really cool idea. The book cover and something like “echo breakout speaker” will be in the final version, so it just might work.
Hope writing is going well!
Feeling super nerdy but here goes:
Bits of Faith
Faith, Hope, and l33t
faith.ly
Bummer that someone already has “faith.ly”
“Technology is #spiritual” – use of the hashtag to poke folks towards a convo on it via Twitter, enough people could make it trend.
“Technology is passing” – with the picture, the implication being that if you look down that you miss life happening in front of you
“Technology is sudden” – nothing like a message to make you look down when Scriptures poke us to look up (Colossians 3:1).
I really, really like the #spiritual one. That might just be ambiguous and interesting enough to work.
Antoine, you’re one of the winners (DTS chose #Spiritual) Shoot me an email at johndyer/gmail with a book you want from wtsbooks.com and your mailing address, and I’ll send it your way.
“Having learned about Adoni-Bezek, John Dyer is even more grateful for grace.”*
“Dallas Seminary taught John Dyer all he knows about the iPhoenicians.”
“BibleWebApps: for those who know that ‘bible’ + ‘code’ != ‘secrect message’ (mind how you nest your quotes).”
[* cf. Jdg 1:6 – goes with pic!]
Typo in my #3 spoils what little effect it might have! Should be ‘secret message’, of course! :/
That’s awesome. I’ve never thought of the “bible + code” part.
techNOlogy
Technology: The Accelerator
Technotheology
Lastly, I second the brilliant idea of Technology is fast, but redemption is slow. Plus then you get to keep one of the three free books for yourself.
Great ideas, Todd. Thanks!
Technology is not always used for the highest purpose, but it can be.
Technology is always used for the highest purpose.
Technology is our purpose.
We’re running into the problem where long ones are clear, but too long for marketing copy, while short ones are sometimes unclear. Thanks for these ideas!
Technology is a mission field.
Technology is our missionary.
Technology is our calling.
Technology is not the answer.
Does this contest have a deadline? Just so I know when to tell my brain to stop storming.
Sometime late next week we need to pull the trigger, so fire away for a few more days
Ok – here’s my submission:
“Good content.”
The sub-caption could be “All sixty-six books (even Obadiah!)” or a litany like “All sixty-six books / Eighteen credits of theology / Greek and Hebrew” but I like just the title alone. The intended message is that our design can be perfect, but at the end of the day we must have something worthwhile to say. Or tweet.
Some others:
“Preach the word. 140 characters at a time.”
“Take up (your smartphone) and read.”
“Tweet truth. Love well.”
“Here iStand.”
If you have to go with the “Technology is…” as in the mockup:
“Technology is beautiful. Now offering ThM and MA in media arts and communication.”
Or something like that.
Tweet truth. Love well.
– Too funny!
Dennis, you’re one of the winners! Shoot me an email at johndyer/gmail with a book you want from wtsbooks.com and your mailing address, and I’ll send it your way.
Now, I´m swedish and english is not my native language, but how about something like: “The world of apps vs the Word of God”
“Technology is unorthodox” – A little double entendre.
“Technology is not new”
“Technology is Golden Calves and iPhones”
“Technology is the message” – a nod to Marshall Mc
“Technology is dead”
Please don’t leave it as “Technology is ___.” It’s a bit too close to Exo. 3:14. How about something like “Do those who make them become like them?” (cf. Ps. 115:8)
Will, you’re one of the winners (we loved the simple “Technology needs theology”) Shoot me an email at johndyer/gmail with a book you want from wtsbooks.com and your mailing address, and I’ll send it your way.
Technology is in need of theology.
Or scrap the “is”: Technology needs theology.
Or Technology is redeemable.
Variation inspired by Marc up there @ June 17, 2011 at 4:23 pm:
“Technology done faithful.ly”
(Domain not taken!)
Technology: Tablets aren’t clay anymore
Technology: Does it change the message?
Would Jesus use Technology?
Technology: The paper is changing
Technology: Will Apples spoil God’s Garden?
Technology is (un)like Theology
About similarities and differences and how in the end theology is much more than technology.
“Technology is the creation of God’s creation.”
“Technology is now. Are you?”
“Technology is. WWJT(weet)?”
“Technology is. Have you friended Jesus yet?”
or just, “What Would Jesus Tweet?”
– You can’t spell technology without theology
– The Bible is more than 140 characters
– Is Apple the new apple?
– Google doesn’t have ALL the answers
Change “is” to “changes” and then leave the last line blank. . .
Technology is Servant… or Master?
Technology is a gift. Use it well.
Good ones.
Technology is Faith at your finger tips.
Technology- the best way of avoiding those awkward silences.
Reminds me of a comic I saw recently!
Technology is. . . changing the way you do ministry. (But not in the way you think it is!)
So true. Thanks!
One last attempt (promise) from me:
Justification.
Sanctification.
Technofication?
It is Friday, 24 June 2011 @ 5:26:18 PM GMT.
And #feargod is trending globally Twitter! Fact.
Which caption did you pick?
The three winners were
– Technology is #spiritual
– Technology needs theology
– Tweet truth. Love Well.
Thanks to everyone who participated!