How Theology and Faith Practices Shape Digital Culture

Daniella Zsupan-Jerome

Abstract

This presentation explores spirituality as a lens through which to address challenging aspects of digital culture and communication.  There is a fundamental connection between spirituality, relationship, and communication (Goodall 1993, Hochheimer 2009). While other areas of theology continue to offer valuable reflection especially on the moral, ethical and even pastoral challenges of the digital context, spirituality, here defined from a Christian perspective, offers another entry point that is de-facto relational, and thus offers invaluable wisdom toward the practice of communication.  This relational focus resonates especially well with the act of communication, as well as the potential to form authentic relationships and communities.  These elements are integral to human flourishing, especially in the digital context.

Biography

Daniella Zsupan-Jerome Ph.D. is Director of Ministerial Formation at Saint John’s University School of Theology and Seminary in Collegeville, Minnesota, USA.  Her research explores the intersection of social communication, digital culture, and pastoral theology. Major publications include: Connected Toward Communion: The Church and Social Communication in the Digital Age (Liturgical Press, 2014); Evangelization and Catechesis: Echoing the Good News Through the Documents of the Church (Twenty-Third Publications, 2017); Authority and Leadership: Values, Religion, Media (co-editor, Blanquerna, 2017).