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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
This book was very challenging to read. I never took the time to sit down and consider the ways my phone is changing me. Some changes are good, some are really bad. I don't know how someone could read this book and not make some important life changes. The book was also very well balanced. Although there were times I wanted to throw my phone out of the window, the author never suggests such an action and the end of the book convinced me there's a way to use phones well.
Just over ten years before this writing, the iPhone was announced to the world. No one knew at the time what such technology meant. It all seemed a little silly to me. I remember some of the reviews of the original iPhone. “It doesn’t show much promise.” “I don’t understand why tapping on a screen is enticing.” “I already have an iPod, why do I need music on my phone?” And now.
Our phones are changing everything about how the world works, how culture is created, how we function, and hauntingly, how we worship. Some of us are keenly aware of these changes, while others of us have been completely swept by the undercurrent of the digital age, “and if we don’t know how to swim, we shall be carried by it” (19). In 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You, Tony Reinke masterfully helps us get out of the water, not because the water is bad (see pages 30-36), but because he doesn’t want us to drown or become lost at sea.
Reinke’s work is organized in chiastic structure (simply remarkable!) to present to the reader these twelve ways in which the smartphone has negatively shaped and is shaping who we are. Its cautions are warranted and grim, but this book is not only critical. As each chapter shows how these principles can undermine our spiritual health, each also works to commend a life discipline that needs to be preserved for our spiritual health. As an example, Reinke argues that “Our phones undermine key literary skills (Chapter 4) and, because of our lack of discipline, make it increasingly difficult for us to identify meaning (Chapter 9)” (189). The solution to these problems are that “We treasure the gift of literacy (Chapter 4) and prioritize God’s Word (Chapter 9)” (190). Compellingly, the middle chapters 6-7 “frame our identity and define our purpose of earth: love God (Chapter 6) and love your neighbor (Chapter 7)” (190).
So, how does texting and driving directly violate a fundamental command of God? How could technological advancement possibly make our world both more connected and more isolated at the same time? How does FOMO directly mirror the events of the Garden of Eden? All of these questions and more, Reinke answers with theological clarity, researched precision, and gracious caution.
If you want to know whether or not a book is good, ask yourself at the end of it if you walked away from it truly changed. Not changed in the sense of just learning some new facts, but did this book actually reorient your actions, change your thinking, and so forth? For me, 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You hit me like a ton of bricks. Reinke’s haymakers scattered throughout the book were clear indications of the Holy Spirit using his words to communicate important truths for my desperately smartphoned heart.
I’ve walked away from this book dangerously aware of how powerful this rounded rectangle is. Reinke has labored hard to help me (and you) discover how this phone and other technology can become a tool for the glory of Christ. It won’t be easy. It may cause you to make some adjustments, some simple and some radical. But what does it profit a man to gain the whole of his smartphone and lose his soul?
This book is easily one of the best of this year. Everyone can benefit from its wisdom, and it is packaged in a manner that is simple to understand and apply to our lives. I’m grateful for Tony’s work on this project, and you won’t be sorry for picking up a copy for you, and some others for your friends.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
This book was challenging to me. Tony Reinke dives directly and deeply into how our phones are physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually changing our brains and our lives. He does a great job of touching on how the Bible looks at things like slander and love for others, and comparing that with how our culture regards them and how our phones play into these things.
I am grateful for the things this book forced me to think about, and plan to revisit it in the future and hopefully continue to grow in caution and intentionality with how I use technology.
I am grateful for the things this book forced me to think about, and plan to revisit it in the future and hopefully continue to grow in caution and intentionality with how I use technology.
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction
This book was hard-hitting but completely fantastic. I made a note to buy a physical copy because even though I got a lot out of the audiobook, there were dozens of times when I wanted to underline or save notes.
This book is written to a Christian audience. How technology fits in with the gospel message and the glory of God are central to every chapter. The author challenges believers to examine their smartphone usage in light of those themes and goals. I think anyone with a smartphone can benefit from this book and some of the gut-punching truths, but you should know it has that focus and make your decision to read (or not) accordingly.
I was convicted and challenged by this book to make significant changes in my life. It's definitely helpful for holding up a mirror that shows the real motivations behind our addictions to our phones and social media. Be ready for some internal reflection and honesty about where you are and your walk with God. It was SO GOOD!
This book is written to a Christian audience. How technology fits in with the gospel message and the glory of God are central to every chapter. The author challenges believers to examine their smartphone usage in light of those themes and goals. I think anyone with a smartphone can benefit from this book and some of the gut-punching truths, but you should know it has that focus and make your decision to read (or not) accordingly.
I was convicted and challenged by this book to make significant changes in my life. It's definitely helpful for holding up a mirror that shows the real motivations behind our addictions to our phones and social media. Be ready for some internal reflection and honesty about where you are and your walk with God. It was SO GOOD!
I appreciated the balance he brought to this subject. While he definitely has a lot of warnings about smartphone usage, he also mentions the good and did not come across overly strong-handed (minus a few comments), admittedly being a smartphone user himself. This would be one good for discussion amongst various ages, smartphone and dumbphone users, and with friends/family who witness our own smartphone usage.
I loved this book! I love the perspective and advice that Reinke gives to our relationships with our phones. The way that he framed it and the perspective shift he encourages is eye opening. His tips for a healthier relationship with your phone are practical and reasonable. I would like to see an updated version of this book, as technology has changed quite a bit since it was first published, but overall I thought it was an amazing book and I recommend it to anyone who’s looking to have a better relationship with their phone.
We smudge technology because we are not machines. We are creatures made in the image of the Supreme Creator and we are made to share embodied joy together in His name.
That bit of wisdom, and brilliant imagery, is one of many reasons why I found this a great listen. The author presents thought provoking information that is not written to condemn smart phones, but to make the listener THINK about how they use them. I certainly have been aware that I need to be more conscious of my own use. This book just helped bring it to the forefront of my mind with some convicting insights.
I really appreciated the way Reinke used scripture to speak to our modern age, as well as writings of many Christian thinkers from many years before the cell phone existed. For example, when discussing how our attention to our cell phones keeps our attention away from those around us, he hones in on how we are called to love our neighbor more than that. In particular, the ones we are driving with on the highway as we look at our phones. He points out that while we may think we are focused on our neighbor (in our phone), we have forgotten that Jesus pointed to a road (the Good Samaritan) when asked who our neighbor is. Good point.
I believe this would make a solid Bible study for young adults on up. It is not just young people who have issues with cell phone usage, it is just that they have never known any other way. We all can use help.
Absolutely wonderful! This book is a shiny exemplar of how all non fictions should be written and presented. It has changed my perspective on review writing on Goodreads and my smartphone usage. This book comes from a Christian perspective and a scientific one. How the author structures and presents his ideas is absolutely wonderful and very accessible. No wasted time or repetition in this book, just straight to the point, with some small dashes of humour, good scripture, and intertwined science. To me, I felt very well fed with wisdom by Reinke; it was obvious to me that the author did his research and he even conducts his own study. Non-fictions need not give me research or God to win 5 stars from me; they just need to deliver on what is stated in the introduction and meet the requirements set out in the book's thesis to earn high. Giving a personal experience and sticking to it throughout the entire book=likely a 4-5 star read!
Reinke delivers on his thesis statement (to paraphrase): I will provide a research based perspective on smartphone use, and this book is not written to tell you to ditch your phone, but offer you a rounded perspective with some science and mention of our saviour, Jesus, to evidence my points.
I have learned a lot from this book! Specifically, this book has given me lots of wisdom on how I can better manage my smartphone. Hats off to Reinke!
It is very possible that a reader may find parts of this book irrelevant to them. I found this during my reading experience, but I think it is vital to remember and acknowledge that we use our cellphones differently. As a result, my weaknesses with my smartphone are very likely to be different from yours (or mayhaps you have no weaknesses with your smartphone)! Although the author does not state that individual users have varied struggles, Reinke does make a hint at it when he dives into his personal struggles with his own smartphone device.
Wonderful read! Implementing one of the author's suggestions this evening before slumber.
Reinke delivers on his thesis statement (to paraphrase): I will provide a research based perspective on smartphone use, and this book is not written to tell you to ditch your phone, but offer you a rounded perspective with some science and mention of our saviour, Jesus, to evidence my points.
I have learned a lot from this book! Specifically, this book has given me lots of wisdom on how I can better manage my smartphone. Hats off to Reinke!
It is very possible that a reader may find parts of this book irrelevant to them. I found this during my reading experience, but I think it is vital to remember and acknowledge that we use our cellphones differently. As a result, my weaknesses with my smartphone are very likely to be different from yours (or mayhaps you have no weaknesses with your smartphone)! Although the author does not state that individual users have varied struggles, Reinke does make a hint at it when he dives into his personal struggles with his own smartphone device.
Wonderful read! Implementing one of the author's suggestions this evening before slumber.
Just as relevant in 2021. So many oh moments, but never felt like Tony was condemning me for my habits. Instead it felt like walking through it with me because he was truthful rather than pretending to be perfect and have it all figured out.
Very interesting and compelling. Gave me a lot to consider, and hopefully the encouragement to make some healthy changes around phone usage.