On Tour With Flickering Pixels by Shane Hipps

The Deep, Hidden Powers of our Technology

How Technology shapes Faith and Culture

Flickering pixels are the tiny dots of light that make up the screens of life – from TVs to computers to cell phones. They are nearly invisible, but they change us, according to author Shane Hipps.

In his new book aptly titled, Flickering Pixels he takes readers beneath the surface of things to see how the technologies we use end up using us.

Not all is dire, however, as Hipps shows us that these hidden things have far less power to shape us when they aren’t hidden anymore. He adds, “we are only puppets of our technology if we remain asleep; Flickering Pixels will wake us up-and nothing will look the same again.”

As author, pastor and speaker, Hipps began his professional life in the corporate world as a strategic planner in advertising. It was here that he first gained experience in understanding media and culture and began to unravel the subtle secrets of electronic culture and the hidden ways it shapes culture, faith and the church.

Uncomfortable convincing consumers that a product or service could meet their spiritual and emotional needs, he up and left advertising for seminary school and quickly realized the many ways in which his previous training and knowledge translated to understanding the challenges facing the church.

As the follow-up to The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture (May 2006), which was written specifically for those in church leadership, this is not another heavy-drenched book on technology. Instead, Flickering Pixels explores the role of media and messaging in faith, community, worship and the future of the church.

Hipps believes few people truly understand the many hidden forces at work in our culture shaping our life of faith. He contends that everything from cell phones to blogs to television and radio are constantly barraging today’s minds with ideas that can subtly alter perceptions, ideas and belief systems.

Hipps argues that all media have a hidden bias with the power to subtly shape nearly every aspect of life. Using examples from today’s popular media, including Desperate Housewives, Saturday Night Live and many others, Flickering Pixels encourages readers to ask questions and carefully interpret media of all kinds with discerning minds and authentic hearts to best understand the implications today’s electronic culture has for faith, the gospel and the church.



About the Author:

Shane Hipps is pastor of Trinity Mennonite Church-a missional, urban, Anabaptist congregation. Before earning a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary, he was a strategic planner in advertising where he gained expertise in understanding media and culture. Shane speaks nationally and lives with his wife, Andrea, in Phoenix, Arizona.

Learn more about Shane at http://www.shanehipps.com.

Flickering Pixels
Release: Feb 2009
Soft cover, 208 pp., $16.99, Hardcover
Non-Fiction
Publisher: Zondervan
ISBN: 0310293219

Unfortunately, I've run out of time on this tour and don't have a review for you. I must admit I'm a bit befuddled about the need for this kind of book in Christianity, but I'm always willing to tackle something new.

So, be watching for a review filled with my thoughts on such an unusual topic. Feel free to browse around the net and see what others have to say about "Flickering Pixels".

Happy Reading!