Viral

We are living in a viral world, yet our faith seems to have been cured of this threat. There is very little “viral” about modern Christianity- except that it seems to be like the “viral” of old, in that many people want to avoid it at all costs.

The irony is that Christianity at its core is made to be viral. Spread from person to person in and increasingly contagious manner until it reaches pandemic status. There have been books about becoming a “contagious” Christian, and the faith has been called the good infection. But a more common term today for Christianity is ‘plague,’ at least among non-believers and nominal Christians. But these are areas I will get to over the next few weeks, today I want to look at the phenomenon that is “viral,” and the fact that Christianity was once viral, and must be again.

Defining Viral
First, we need to define what makes something ‘viral.’ I hold that there are four things that are key to something catching on and going crazy.

1. It connects. I don’t know how it happens, but viral things connect with people. Something about the music in the video, the plot of the story, the oddball-ness of the idiot trying something dangerous- something connects with you. You see yourself in them, or someone you know; it makes you laugh hysterically or groan deeply; it wakes you up to something new and fresh and challenging. Whatever it is, you are hooked.

2. It’s low budget or low effort. Some things have high production values, but they are not marketed with tons of money. They catch on and take a life of their own- they need no promotion. Some of the better viral videos are of people just catching themselves doing life. Hilariously. Viral comes not (always) from careful planning, but from dumb luck.

3. It’s pervasive. Once it’s viral, you can’t escape it. It’s on TV, every website, in the conversations of your friends. Once it hits your parents and grandparents- forget about it.

4. It’s addictive. Some things you just keep going back to. Movie trailers you watch over and over, phrases you can’t stop saying, tunes you can’t get out of your head. You want more, and more, and more.

Viral Bible
Jesus was viral.

He told stories that connected with people, that were not flashily promoted, that got spread all over the world- and they left people wanting, no, needing, more. Same for the healings, the teachings and the man Himself.

His followers were viral, too. They would hear His words and spread them. People would believe without meeting Jesus personally, because the account of the believer was so powerful and connective.

Three thousand people believed at one time during Pentecost- in large part because the Holy Spirit let every understand the Gospel in their own language, and the Gospel was powerful.

Paul’s letters were really the first chain letters. “Read this, apply it to your life, and pass it on to five of the closest churches.” This action shaped the early church and the theology of the rest of church history.

We Must be Viral
It’s in the blood of those who choose Christ to be viral. He wants to spread Himself to others, and He does it through you and me. But in order for us to be viral, we must remember that Christ connects with us- we must find our heartbeat.

We must have something worthy of saying.

Too many of us think we take Christianity viral by using scripture for EVERY. SINGLE. STATUS. UPDATE.

Something else about viral: it bring something new or at least something relevant.

I realize I will be lynched by many for this, but Scripture is not new, nor is it relevant to a lost world. They have heard it before, and never seen it lived out by those spouting it- it is irrelevant.
Scripture is, I believe, totally true and relevant- but I’m a believer. Those that are not, see the world for what it is that they can touch- what they can verify. If we want to reach them, we have to reach them on their ground, on their turf. Scripture can and must come into play at some point, but in the lead up, what people need to see is something in our lives, our character, worthy of sharing with the world- worthy of connecting with.

Next week, we’ll look at Patient Zero- how to start the viral movement with yourself. Later on this week, I hope to post something regarding a particular person who is about as viral as any Christian I know- and talk a bit about what is good and bad about that.