Digitalisation and the church – A corporeal understanding of church and the influence of technology

We live in a digital era, where connection and connectivity move away from physical presence, but find shape in online communities and forums. This trend extends from the secular world into the religious experience, as can be seen from examples such as E-kerk (E-Church). The body is a vehicle through which Paul defines the church and the medium through which Christians live a new life in Christ. Virtual communities, however, lack bodily presence and thus the tactile experience of the Lord’s Supper and the communal aspects of baptism. This raises the question whether it is possible for an individual to participate online in the body of Christ and if so, how?


Introduction
In a digital era, connection and connectivity move more away from physical presence and finds shape in online communities and forums. At the touch of a mere button, or the click of a finger, an instant connection is obtainable. Communities such as Facebook, MySpace, Instagram and Twitter foster digital friendships and relationships. 1 The Internet has impacted our society by empowering an individual to post and comment without inhibition. Any person may have an opinion, an opinion that is readily posted and shared, without any sense of responsibility. These opinions exist virtually without the possibility of ever being truly deleted. Words matter and in a virtual world, words can be immortal.
The digital era pervades our society to the extent that it does not determine our society but becomes our society according to Peter Nagy and Bernadett Koles. 2 Academia has not circumvented this phenomenon as is evident with the rise of the new academic field of "digital humanities." Unsurprisingly, rapid digitalisation also influences the church. Thereby creating an opportunity, but also the need for ethical parameters and the establishment of new definitions.
As a New Testament scholar currently working as a pastor in a mine industry community church in Rustenburg, the effects of the digital era are also pervasive. Our congregation, following the trend of most mainline congregations, streams our services via Skype and Sound Cloud. Congregants, who work in foreign countries due to the struggling mining industry, particularly use the Skype option. This improves their sense of connection with their families who remain in Rustenburg, in the congregation. Sound Cloud is easily accessible via an online link from Facebook and is especially used by congregants who are not able to attend a service due to a lack of mobility, or who are struggling with their health, or even at times members of the congregation who are out of town. These channels provide a means for congregants to experience that they are still part of the church community. These channels, however, are only one-way communication, as the online participants are not heard or seen by the rest of the congregation and therefore are easily forgotten.
However, to be able to refer to a community as "church," obliges an understanding of the nature, calling and identity of the church. 3 From a Pauline perspective, church is comprehended as the body of Christ (e.g. 1 Cor 10:17,11:29). 4 The terminology is also used in Eucharistic contexts referring to participation in the blood and the body of Christ (e.g. 1 Cor 10:16). 5 Both the cup, symbolising the blood of Christ (τὸ ποτήριον...ἐστὶν τοῦ αἵματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ), and the bread, that is broken symbolising the body of Christ (τὸν ἄρτον ὃν κλῶμεν... τοῦ σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐστιν), are expressed as acts of fellowship and communion (κοινωνία). This identity is expressed as communio. A phenomenon that communicates being incorporated into Christ, manifested in the belonging and the fellowship that shapes church as a visible unity united with Christ. 6 This unity with Christ is immanent during the material participation of sacraments. 7 Accordingly, is it possible to think of a digital body of Christ? Of even greater significance is the question -how is understanding the church as the body of Christ compatible with a virtual world? Is there such a thing a digital church? Furthermore, this raises the question as to what type of online presence does the church want to advocate?
The assumption of this article is that church and community should be interpreted from a corporeal perspective. Accordingly, this article will investigate what is intended with church and community from a Pauline perspective, specifically drawing on Romans 6:1-14. Arguing from a corporeal approach, the article examines the connection between church and a growing online presence, especially investigating what this entails for the church's perceived identity in Christ. What role the church may play will be discerned.

A corporeal perspective: Rom 6:1-14
Although online communities facilitate communication, they can only function in a supportive manner, I'd like to argue on account that it lacks the opportunity for participating in the baptism as well as the Eucharist. It is necessary to move online participants away from their screens, to physically attend a place of worship at times.
Paul's emphasis on the participation in the body of Christ is evident in Romans 6:1-14. In the pericope of Romans 6:1-14, the preposition σὐν is repeated (cf. 6:4; 5; 6; 8;), accentuating the notion of "with." Throughout the pericope, it becomes clear that Paul envisions only two types of people, dead people, or people who truly live. Dead people are people who remain in sin. People who truly live are people who are under the lordship of Christ.
Physical participation becomes intertwined with being either dead or alive, as Paul uses the baptism as a metaphor in Rom 6:3 to illustrate the importance of believers' participation in the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. The chiastic structure (a) ἐβαπτίσθημεν, B) εἰς χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν, 8 b) εἰς τὸν θάνατον αὐτοῦ, A) ἐβαπτίσθημεν places emphasises on the verb βαπτίζω. With the repetition Paul creates a connection between being baptised into Christ Jesus (εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν) and being baptised into his death (εἰς τὸν θάνατον αὐτοῦ). 9 The parallel notions "into Christ Jesus" (εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν) and being baptised "into his death" (εἰς τὸν θάνατον αὐτοῦ) reiterates the contrast of life and death.
The source domain "being baptised into" (ἐβαπτίσθῆναι εἴς τι/τινα), involves being dipped into something. 10 The preposition εἰς is typically used with βαπτίζω "to dip into," 11 but spatiality is also implied. 12 The phrase 8 The chiastic expression ἐβαπτίσθημεν εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν "having been baptised into Christ Jesus" can also be found in Galatians 3:27 and 1 Corinthians 10:2. 9 In Mark 10:38-39 as well as Luke 12:50, Jesus refers to his death as his "baptism" thereby connecting the idea of baptism and death. Cf  Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν also harbours a spatial interpretation as the preposition εἰς is used in a locative manner. Paul is not interested in defining baptism, 13 but rather his use of this metaphor indicates two assumptions. Firstly, believers were baptised and thus familiar with the image 14 and secondly, baptism during Paul's lifetime was always associated with being converted. Accordingly, the image differentiates strongly between believers' status prior to Christ and after Christ. 15 Paul coherently employs the distinction between the audience's past situation and present situation throughout the argument of Romans 5-8, of which Romans 6:1-14 forms part of.
Paul clearly links Christ Jesus with his death reminiscent of the cross event.
That Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν also signifies the power of Christ's victory over death with the resurrection, 16 becomes explicit correspondingly in the ensuing verse. Believers are baptised into Christ Jesus and are baptised into his death. Just as Christ was resurrected by the glory of the Father, the baptised may walk in the newness of life drawing on the glory and life that God presented through the resurrection of the Crucified ((συνετάφημεν οὖν αὐτῷ διὰ τοῦ βαπτίσματος εἰς τὸν θάνατον, ἵνα ὥσπερ ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς ἐκ νεκρῶν διὰ τῆς δόξης τοῦ πατρός, οὕτως καὶ ἡμεῖς ἐν καινότητι ζωῆς περιπατήσωμεν) 6:4). It is not physically possible to be "in Jesus Christ," (εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν (6:3)) but it serves as a point of orientation.
Accordingly, believers orientate themselves into this present state of Christ' victory over death, which inherently implies to be able to live. If a believer is orientated "in" they have access to life, but "out" becomes synonymous with death. Accordingly, being in Christ is perceived as a state of affairs attained through baptism. 17 The in-out orientation would entail that if you were not baptised, you would not be part of being in Christ. To be in Christ means to be partake in his death and thus to be separated from sin. 18 A believer could regress 19 into a state of being dominated by sin as the result of being obedient to the desires of the self (εἰς τὸ ὑπακούειν ταῖς ἐπιθυμίαις αὐτοῦ (Rom 6:12b)). 20 Paul urges believers to present themselves to God (ἀλλὰ παραστήσατε ἑαυτοὺς τῷ θεῷ (6:13b)), as those that are alive from death (ὡσεὶ ἐκ νεκρῶν ζῶντας (Rom 6:13c)) and their members for God as instruments of righteousness (καὶ τὰ μέλη ὑμῶν ὅπλα δικαιοσύνης τῷ θεῷ (Rom 6:13d)).
Accordingly, in order for a believer to truly be alive and to live out his/ her faith, it is necessary to continually present yourself to God.  Churches predominantly use websites as advertisements and with the noble intention of getting their message across without truly understanding the impact of their online sites. Firstly, the digital age has brought on a shift in understanding what is information? 28 And secondly, churches use of digital media illustrates an pre-digital understanding that the message can be controlled by the church. 29 Information is no longer based on facts, but on feelings, just look at the American political scene or the manner in which the Brexit vote took place.

Digital church, space and community
However, online services allow Christian believers and people who are curious about Christianity to have the luxury to experience aspects of church from the comfort of their own home. Procuring a website or streaming services is a necessary step for a church to take, as the intended audience has also been influenced by the digitalisation, e.g. high schools in Switzerland only uses iPads 30 and in Rustenburg primary schools such as Protea Park uses iPads. The vast choices enable believers to participate where they want to, enjoying a church that always suits their needs, however, they are unable to participate and share their gifts with the community where they are needed. Consequently, churches could become culpable of creating a culture of church consumerism.
Of course, church ministry benefits from the possibility to create networks via the Internet. In a country such as South Africa, remote areas like the Northern Cape, or the Karoo in the Western Cape, which are vast, sparsely populated areas, online communities proffer a possibility to connect people in secluded areas. The E-kerk (E-Church), created by Stephan Joubert, serves as such a forum providing access to sermons, bible studies and information for general faith questions. 31 The E-kerk (E-Church) is not established as a specific denomination but is only presented as church. There is also an online chat function inviting questions. Additionally, E-kerk (E-Church) also keeps its readers au courant with research and educational tools for pastors. A pastor, who is in a secluded area, without the possibility to participate in further training and learning opportunities, now has the opportunity to have access to the latest research. The Internet is not only beneficial for educational and communication purposes, but also aids in maintaining church structures. Skype conferencing calls provide a cheap solution for meetings, saving travel costs and connecting pastors from secluded places.
But what is more, technology has also provided the means to blur the boundaries between reality and fantasy with virtual identities. 32  resemble. 33 One UK based online church has even gone a step further with an experimental virtual church, St. Pixels. Congregants in this community create an online avatar through which they can "pray" and "kneel" in a virtual church realm without ever having to physically meet. 34 Identity can no longer be interpreted as a construct of the physical world in light of the digital era. 35 Avatars create the possibility of a "third space." 36 A realm that is considered to be neutral where people are comfortable to embody their "virtual self," an extension of their "real self." 37 But how is having an avatar playing church not the epitome of individualism?
This brings up the crucial question of individualism versus collectivism. Body (σῶμα) in the ancient world describes a unified group of people, e.g. Cyr. Ins. 58, 'body of the Hellenes.' 38 For Paul, participation in the body of Christ is a crucial notion. 39 The body plays a pivotal role in Paul's thought serving as an orientational point, providing the possibility to determine one's positioning towards God. This implies locality and space. 40 This locality and space is not confined to a church building per se but does imply the physical presence of two or more people. 41 Sacraments cannot function in isolation. A person cannot baptise him/ herself or partake in the Lord's Supper alone in front of a computer screen, as sacraments signify a bond of love. 42 It is self-evident that with a virtual church participating in baptism or the Eucharist is not possible. Unless you would consider Eucharist to also entail organizing an online meeting at a specified time, with bread and wine in front of a computer via Skype. Much like any other online meeting one attends. A group of practical theologians in Germany has tried such an approach to connect members in remote areas, but found the bread and wine never became true symbols of the body of Christ, they just remained a mere piece of bread and wine. 43 The digital era has given a platform to humans' innate need for connectivity. However, although the Internet provides exciting new ways to connect, it has an indirect impact on the loneliness of people, through online socialising, with the negative impact, greater than the positive. 44 Exponents, such as Pam Smith 45 argues online relationships can be just as meaningful as any other. Although it is possible, however, to Skype a loved one in a faraway country, it is not possible to hug them, to touch them and to experience their bodily presence. The opposite of the desired effect of connection is often created with Skype or Facebook. Often social media only increases a persons' awareness of not being able to be with a loved-one or missing out and not sharing in their loved one's lives as they cannot attend a birthday party or important life event.
A community of people unified with Christ inaugurates church and celebrates their identity in Christ with baptism and the Lord's Supper. The Internet has a supportive role to play, but it remains necessary to physically engage in faith communities.

Implications of a corporeal understanding
The implications of Paul's corporeal understanding is that humans are constantly in a position where they need to orientate themselves towards God. In order for your body to be a space that is dominated by Christ and the fruits of the Spirit associated with Christ, it is necessary to continually align yourself with Christ. Aligning yourself with Christ from a Pauline perspective entails to continually determine what to live for and what to metaphorically die for.
Accordingly, it is vital for believers to be part of faith communities as the process of aligning with Christ is a never-ending action. Believers need encouragement to stay aligned in order to continually grow and engage in new possibilities. Online church services may have a positive effect, but to truly be part of a church community, congregants should partake in baptism and Eucharist. Churches that stream online should take great care in urging its online public to cultivate a healthy spirituality by participating in the body of Christ.
One of the problems of not participating in the body of Christ, is that online church viewing (as opposed to actual participation) runs the risk of creating a quasi-feel good Christianity. A person may view from the comfort behind a computer screen with the option to only listen to who/ what they would like to listen to and create friendship circles with people with similar ideologies. Unavoidably, a reductionist perspective of the reality of the world and its problems is created. With no one to disagree or enquire why certain beliefs are held, some perceived world problems might seem more pertinent than what they in fact are. Moreover, if a sermon is too challenging, it can easily be skipped or not listened to in full. Accordingly, a type of "Christianity" that only serves a person's own self-interest and needs precipitates. Therefore, a church should consider its own online presence. It is necessary to seriously reflect on the church' understanding of their calling and purpose within their immediate context and also within the broader scope of South Africa. Such a process of discernment aids in clarifying what values and messages the church wants to promote. Vice versa, it enriches a congregations' understanding of the important role and function they play as community in their respective locations. Such an in-depth process might be time consuming, but also provides the possibility for other churches to become aware of what churches in their local vicinity are doing, which might aid in ecumenical projects and churches supporting one another. A broader perspective is essential to avoid contributing to a culture of church consumerism.
A populist approach may cause only more harm than good, adding to church consumerism. Churches should not shy away from preaching the gospel and staying true to Biblical exegesis. It is important to cultivate content that is not shallow and egoistic. An online presence requires a responsible theology and intentional preaching that invites its onlookers to participate physically.
The church should equip its members to live out their faith by also participating in outreaches and programs in their communities. Although there is an abundance of information, a particular theology and understanding of what a church wants to advocate does not only materialise in the form of Sunday sermons, but also in Bible studies and informational talks. These Bible studies and informational programmes can also be streamed for online participants. This improves communication and welcomes online participants to start fostering relationships with actual churchgoers. Connection becomes a reality, as a face and voice are added instead of a mere profile picture. Establishing a connection is of the utmost importance, as it may result in ascertaining why someone prefers to merely watch instead of physically attending. This could shed light on possible immobility problems or help to improve church engagement.
A virtual church where members create an avatar is not a church, as there is no connection with the real issues in the world to which God calls the church. Online churches should ensure that a chat function is maintained on their websites providing the possibility that a pastor or elder can make a house call if a person has a need for closer engagement or support. By preference, online communication related to church matters should be interactional. Churches with an online presence should keep their websites updated with opportunities to participate and engage with other believers.
What is more, churches should become aware of their responsibility in guiding members in an online Christian ethic. Online bullying and hate speech are often seen in the comment sections of webpages. The church can also play a necessary role in equipping its members with an understanding how to live out Christian values online, especially as virtual words have staying power. A creed or formal statement of a church's understanding of Christian values in a digital era may provide necessary guidelines. Such a creed could be enlightened in the liturgy of a service on occasion, being broadcast to online as well as physically present participants. It should also be available on the church website. Furthermore, a church should carefully consider how the baptism and Eucharist services are conducted. In a digital era where connection is craved, baptism and Eucharist provide an opportunity to strengthen Christian identity and community. Churchgoers should understand what these sacraments signify. Even if there is no baby or person to baptise, a pastor can use various moments during a sermon to underscore the significance of these sacraments during a prayer or taking a moment at the baptismal font. Rituals like these should be incorporated throughout the church year. An overflow of information requires churches to define and clarify their intent and purpose with the baptism and Eucharist.

Conclusion
The Internet provides a wonderful opportunity for cultivating connection. Much more research is necessary to track the impact of virtual identities and a constant online presence for the church as a collective community wanting to serve Christ. The Internet is a tool that the church should profit from and utilise in an effective manner. The fact that the Internet manages to help people in far off and remote places to connect, sets the table to initiate new ways for churches to share how God is moving them in their communities. However, churches need to be wary not to contribute to creating a church consumerism. Online churches can only play a supporting role, as the essential identity markers of church, such as baptism and the Eucharist, need to be expressed in a corporeal manner in a physical place.