Episode 101 - Resisting Misinformation

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Episode Video

Show Notes

Scripture Referenced

  • The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.  - Proverbs 17:24

  • The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him. Proverbs 18:17

  • Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.  Proverbs 14:29

  • The fruit of the Spirit is...self-control - Galatians 5:22

  • Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things Philippians 4:8

  • Specific to Gossip and Lies

    • You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness. Exodus 23:1

    • There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. Proverbs 6:16-19

    • With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered. Proverbs 11:9

    • A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. Proverbs 16:28

    • Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler. Proverbs 20:19

  • Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. Titus 3:1-10

Links Referenced

Books Referenced

A Suggested Flow

  1. Suspend Belief in order to take time and to be discerning, ask the appropriate questions

  2. Keep a Cool Head and De-Value Hot takes if the take could be wrong - in your anger, do not sin - Ephesians 4

  3. Do not chime in and spread things you do not, and cannot know to be true - gossip is a sin

  4. Verify Truth Claims 

    • Multiple attestation by known people/sources (not bots or anonymous trolls)

One important feature of the latter approach is its emphasis on addressing the spread of disinformation not by assessing whether content itself is true or false but instead by providing social media users with accurate information on people’s identity. It’s a commonsense approach that’s been adopted in modern-day political advertising. Leave it to the public to decide what is true. But let them make that decision based on an accurate understanding of who is speaking. And in the twenty-first century, let the public know whether it’s a human being or an automated bot that’s doing the talking.

Brad Smith, Tools and Weapons, 103

    • Look for a unity among the voices of reliable sources( Can they be sued for publishing falsehood?)

    • Are they from a variety perspectives not simply an echo chamber - what do ideological allies and opposition say? Where do those sources agree?

Reid S. Monaghan

Reid Monaghan received a Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science with a minor in Physics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While at UNC he also competed on the wrestling team for the then perennial ACC Champion and top ten Tarheels. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Apologetics, a multidisciplinary degree involving Philosophy, Biblical studies, and Theology.

After college, he spent eight years serving alongside his wife Kasey on the college campus with the ministry of Athletes in Action. He pioneered the Athletes in Action campus ministry at Virginia Tech and was the director there from 1998-2004. During his final two years on AIA staff Reid also served as regional director for the Mid-Atlantic and Ivy League schools. From 2004-2008 Reid was on the staff of Fellowship Nashville where he started a work with young adults called Inversion, preached in the Sunday rotation and taught classes in theology and Christian Apologetics.

Along with a team of friends, Reid planted Jacob’s Well, a theologically driven and culturally engaged church in Central New Jersey. He also pioneered the Acts 29 Network in the state of New Jersey, served on the Northeast lead team, and as director for church planter assessment for the US South Central Network. Reid continues to consult and coach church planters as part of his ministry.

He is a traveling speaker where he addresses students and athletes on various campuses throughout the United States. He has spoken to college students at such institutions as Brown, Princeton, Yale, Wake Forest, Rutgers, UNC Chapel Hill, and Virginia Tech. In addition to his campus work he has spoken in chapel services for the Tennessee Titans, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the New York Football Giants.

He has long been engaged with the task of bringing the gospel to people in culture in clear, relevant and compelling ways combining theological vision, apologetics, Christian thought and popular culture.

Some of his greatest joys in life are from the gifts God has given him in his wife Kasey (married 1996), and his kiddos Kayla (arrival 2001), Kylene (arrival 2003), and Thomas Reid (arrival 2006).

Reid has a limited number of dates each year to speak in various venues. His areas of strength are with Christian apologetics, athletes, biblical preaching, family life and worship, college students, and ethnically diverse audiences. Please contact us via our Speaker Request Form if you would like Reid to come and serve with your church or campus ministry.