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It’s Monday morning and I’ve just taken my first glance at the Bible readings set for this coming Sunday. My heart sank. I remembered why I always like to take this Sunday off.


Unfortunately for me (and also for you) I’m here this Sunday, and it’s too late to ask anyone else to preach. So I guess I’m stuck with it.


It’s Mary and Martha. You know the story. Activist Martha versus contemplative Mary, and we all know which sister Jesus congratulates. I’m reminded of my shortcomings.


Then I realised that if there was ever a perfect Bible reading for the middle of summer it must be this. I do hope you are enjoying this season of less Martha-intensity, and are able to be like Mary in creating time to pray, read, and do important spiritual work. In the hope that you are, indeed, doing like Mary, I’m devoting my articles for a few weeks to recommending some books for you to get all Mary-like with.


Today’s recommendation is not a jolly piece of escapism to enjoy at the beach. It’s more of an alarm bell telling us to wake up and evacuate the building because it’s on fire. It is the troublingly titled, Scrolling Ourselves to Death: Reclaiming Life in a Digital Age, and is a collection of Christian essays edited by Brett McCracken and Ivan Mesa. You won’t agree with everything you read in this book (I didn’t, at least). But I believe it contains vital truth that Christians need to understand. The essential theory that holds the essays together is this: Our culture is addicted to smartphones, and this is changing the way we think, pray, and function - and not in a good way.


The title leans on the groundbreaking 1985 book by Neil Postman called “Amusing ourselves to death”. Postman’s theory was that TV was changing our brains, with serious consequences. I think he was right. Now, however, the danger is fiercer and more comprehensive. Our brains, relationships, and happiness are changing fast and we’re suffering. The kids are not alright, and the smartphone is to blame.