christian-geeksThe other day this site got hacked.

I got a phone call from SiteLock and worked it all out, but while we were waiting for something to take effect the dude I was talking to asked me what my site was all about.

“Oh, I’m writing about how Geek and Faith come together,” I explained.

“Huh. That’s interesting.”

I know, I thought.

“Yeah,” he went on, “Cause geeks are usually atheists because they believe in science and stuff.”

“Oh, I’m not sure about that,” I said, happy to explain. “In fact, being a geek helps my faith. Curiosity, imagination, a willingness to stand up for what I believe are all really important. That kind of thing.”

“That’s really interesting,” he said, then finished up our business call. I think he probably poked around my site after our conversation.

But it got me thinking. Because I think Geeks make great Christ-followers. My question isn’t, “How can a Geek be a Christian?” My question is, “How could a Geek possibly be an atheist when they already have so much in common with the heart of Christian faith?”

Why Geeks make Great Christ followers: The Bible

The Bible may have been written two thousand years ago by shepherds and prophets, but it leaps to life in the hands of a geek. I mean, come on—dragons, angels, demons, super-powers, plagues, teleportation, witches, leviathan, behemoth, the nephalim, David’s mighty men, dead people rising, epic battles, love stories, armageddon, prophecies, fantastic beasts, dreams and visions, supernatural missions from God, Jesus being “the one,” … Shall I go on? The Bible is textbook Geek, people.

Why Geeks make Great Christ followers: Imagination

Geeks traffic in imagination. Well, guess what? That’s what prayer and faith and hope are all about—imagining possibilities and potential where only darkness reigns and daring to believe that light will triumph. Prayer, properly understood, is a form of time travel, envisioning what can occur in the future, asking God to do that, and then stepping back into the present moment. Faith thrives in the hands of a true geek because imagining comes naturally.

Why Geeks make Great Christ followers: Conviction

Geeks are willing to stand on the fringe of society for what they believe and how they choose to live. They’re used to eye-rolling, patronizing comments, misunderstanding—and standing firm in their geekdom anyways. As Emily Expo wrote in the recent Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo article, The Union Of Nerds, “We have refused to bow to the social standards of what apparently makes a person popular; we have stared into the faces of judgement but have remained proud of our love… we… have the ability to autonomously flaunt our idiosyncrasies and take pride in our devotion to all things creative, imaginative, and unique… we, my friends, have the power to tell the world that we will be ourselves—whether the world likes it or not.”

Hello, these are the precise qualities Jesus is looking for in his followers!

Why Geeks make Great Christ followers: Heroes

Geeks gravitate toward classic archetypes, especially heroes. Research shows that people who see their lives as part of an epic story tend to live more satisfied, fulfilling lives. Walking the throngs during comic-con here in Calgary a few weeks ago was awesome, not so much because of the exhibits or workshops, but because there were thousands of heroes walking around in costume. Geeks want to be heroes, want to stand up for what’s right and make a difference. They dare to believe that average people can be heroic. Which is fantastic. Again, this “hero will rise” calling is exactly what God has printed in his recruitment brochure.

Calling All Geeks

If you’re a Geek wondering how you fit with faith, please hear me: The church needs people just like you. My church needs people just like you. Some churches don’t quite know what to do with us, true, but maybe those churches aren’t particularly dialled in to what makes for an awesome Christ follower.

What do you think? Do you resonate with this post?

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