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The Metaverse: Problems the Church Will Face in a Digital Public Square and Its Missional Responsibility
Garcia, Alexander Allen
Garcia, Alexander Allen
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Abstract
The metaverse could transform the daily lives of everyone in society, and if it does, the church will not be exempt from this experience. This thesis demonstrates how the metaverse conflicts with God’s creation of humans as embodied beings, poses challenges to the command that Christians gather physically for worship, and encourages the church to redefine its mission as culture continues to shift toward a digital-first world. First, this thesis provides a foundation for why this project is needed and sets the expectation for the remaining chapters. Second, this study establishes a biblical theology of embodiment, demonstrating that humanity was created as embodied image bearers whose physical existence is essential for their identity, relationships, and participation in God’s redemptive plan. Third, this thesis argues that the church is inherently an embodied community. Using both Old and New Testament patterns, as well as historical and theological reflection, it demonstrates that physical gatherings is not a preference, but a theological necessity. Fourth, this research addresses the implications of the metaverse for the church’s mission. Digital tolls may provide new opportunities for gospel proclamation, but they also introduce significant limitations related to discipleship, accountability, and authentic community. With the digital public square emphasizing convenience, curated identity, and consumerism obstacles to faithful mission and embodied witness will continue to arise within the church. Finally, this thesis proposes a four-pillar framework consisting of embodied identity, embodied community, embodied mission, and embodied accountability to equip churches to engage people in the digital age faithfully. Rather than rejecting technology outright or embracing it uncritically, the church must engage the metaverse and any digital platform with theological clarity, maintaining the centrality of embodied life, and leveraging digital tools for the mission entrusted to it by Jesus.
Description
D.Ed.Min., 2026
Date
2026-05
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Publisher
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary