[1] Digital technologies have become a transformative force in nearly every aspect of contemporary life, reshaping how we communicate, work, learn, and even perceive ourselves and the world in which we live. From smartphones and social media to artificial intelligence and virtual reality, these innovations have and will continue to alter our social interactions, economic systems, and cultural landscapes. They have also significantly redefined what it means to participate in the public square.
[2] As digital technologies evolve, their influence extends far beyond personal convenience and social networking; they also significantly impact our shared political and social life together. From social media platforms shaping public discourse to artificial intelligence being used for data-driven campaigning, technology has become a powerful force in governance, activism, and civic engagement. While these technological advancements have democratized access to information and fostered global conversations, they have also raised concerns about things like misinformation, digital surveillance, and the manipulation of public opinion. In such a rapidly shifting technological landscape, Christians are called to reflect critically on these developments, discerning how to participate faithfully in the digital public square as they follow Christ.
[3] That is why Jason Thacker’s edited volume, The Digital Public Square: Christian Ethics in a Technological Society, is a welcome addition to the field of Christian political theology. By bringing together Christian scholars and commentators from various vocations and “walks of life,” this volume helps interested Christians consider and navigate significant socio-political issues in our digital age, from online censorship and digital authoritarianism to misinformation and technology policy. Thacker writes that the volume’s goal “is to contribute to the ongoing conversations about the role of technology in our society while casting a vision for holistic Christian engagement on these pressing issues in the digital public square,” (25).
[4] The volume is organized into three parts, comprised of thirteen chapters with a preface and an afterword. Part 1 establishes a foundational understanding of technology, the public square, and the current landscape of technological policy and regulation. In the opening chapter, Thacker presents a thoughtful and nuanced Christian philosophy of technology and proposes an initial sketch of what a public theology for the digital age might look like. In Chapter 2, Bryan Baise guides readers to recognize how digital technologies have significantly altered how we think about the public square and how we organize society.
[5] The remaining chapters in this section of the volume equip readers with a deeper understanding of the current policy frameworks and regulatory approaches shaping the digital age. In Chapter 3, Nathan Leamer helps readers begin to grasp just how complicated and complex technology policy is. He calls for bipartisan dialogue in the North American political landscape to ensure that technology policy serves the common good. In Chapter 4, Patricia Shaw offers a vital discussion concerning international technology policy in light of the global digital marketplace. In Chapter 5, David French analyzes the legal complexities surrounding free speech and content moderation in the digital public square. These chapters are particularly valuable in helping readers grasp the multi-faceted nature of our technosocial political environment, especially in terms of their examination of existing policies and regulations, while also offering constructive proposals for future developments.
[6] Part 2 deals with several issues related to digital governance and content moderation. Thacker notes, “Attentive readers will see that this section mirrors many of the community guidelines of major technology companies that function as the governing documents of content moderation on these platforms. The goal here is to tease out how Christians might engage these major aspects of moderation and raise concerns about how these policies may be ill-defined or dangerously applied in the digital public square” (24).
[7] In Chapter 6, Joshua Wester, on account of Christ’s command in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) and a commitment to defending human dignity, makes the case that “Christians should unapologetically speak in defense of robust protections for religious freedom and free expression, not merely for their own sake but for the good of all” (157). Chapter 7 by Brooke Medina and Chapter 8 by Jeremy Tedesco and Christiana Kiefer are complementary chapters focusing on the rise of hate speech and hate crimes perpetrated on digital platforms.
[8] In Chapter 9, Bonnie Kristian helps readers understand the complexities of banning pornography online and offers a vision for combatting this dehumanizing industry. In Chapter 10, Thacker provides an assessment of our post-truth situation, consisting of the concerning surge of conspiracy theories, fake news, and misinformation, and offers a particular vision of digital public policy rooted in standing for truth in an increasingly pluralistic society. In the closing chapter of this part of the volume, Olivia Enos explains how authoritarian regimes around the world are leveraging and employing digital technologies to surveil, coerce, and control persons and population groups.
[9] Part 3 offers complementary chapters on the nature of Christian discipleship and witness in our digital age. In Chapter 12, Jacob Shatzer examines the challenges and opportunities of Christian discipleship in our contemporary moment. He explores emerging methods of discipleship in the twenty-first century, evaluating them through the lens of biblical wisdom and practical discernment. In Chapter 13, drawing on the work of Francis Schaeffer, Keith Plummer takes up how God’s people might best communicate with neighbors so that both our in-person and digital witness reflects the truth and beauty we confess as followers of Christ.
[10] Throughout history and across various cultures, Christians have navigated a complex and often turbulent relationship with politics and the public square. Yet few theological works have bridged the gap between Christian ethics, political theology, and the realities of the contemporary technosocial environment in which God’s people live, work, play, pray, and worship. The Digital Public Square is a constructive contribution to this scholarly lacuna. With its thoughtful social analysis and theological depth, this volume is a much-needed resource to help God’s people faithfully navigate the ethical and socio-political challenges of our increasingly digital world.
William G. Fredstrom is a Ph.D. candidate at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, and an Associate Pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church, School, and Childcare in Seymour, IN (LCMS).