Age of Kings: Pursuing God's Heart in a Social Media World

by Bryce Ashlin-Mayo

We are living in a unique time in history. Social media and information technology have given everyone access to power, knowledge, and a platform—things that once belonged only to kings and queens. Journeying through the life of David (a king after God’s heart), Age of Kings addresses the issues of our social media personal propaganda, #hashtivism, acquaintance-friendships, trolls, selfies, desire, cognification, and fake news. Like a guidebook for the newly crowned kings and queens of this age, Age of Kings equips the reader to discover their true worth and identity, to conquer giants, to experience true friendship, to share their life authentically, to give all glory to God, to walk in sexual wholeness, to embrace humility, and to seek truth in community. What Others Are Saying This book is not just informative, provocative, delightful. It is life-saving for churches and pastors who must navigate a world where the demonic and the divine have both been democratized to the point where any one person has the power of royalty to release good or evil on the rest of us. #ChoiceAndConsequences ----Leonard Sweet, best-selling author, professor, founder of preaching website preachthestory.com This book explores, richly, beautifully, compelling, an intriguing that the explosive growth of social media has put into all of our hands, literally, the kind of power and knowledge that once only royalty had. We can destroy a life with one Facebook post. We can disrupt massive institutions with a single tweet. We can reach audiences around the world by just pressing send on Instagram. Bryce Ashlin-Mayo isn’t denouncing any of this. But he is calling for wisdom. But even better – he’s providing such wisdom. This book, urgently needed, is so clear and helpful that anyone who reads it will learn how to use their regal power to do good, and not to harm. ---Mark Buchanan, award-winning author, professor at Ambrose University In Age of Kings, Bryce gives us a fresh take on the life of King David that meets the needs of today’s social media culture. Sharing compelling stories and rich insights, Bryce reminds us that we can find answers to the questions of our present and future by diving deep into the biblical stories and metaphors of our past. A valuable read to navigate our current culture well! ----Beth Stovell, Old Testament professor at Ambrose University; National Catalyst for Vineyard Canada and author of Minor Prophets I and II This book is nothing short of brilliant in its analysis of how the world of social media can, paradoxically, both control its users, and yet give them a sense of empowerment at the same time. Thankfully, it is equally brilliant in its use of the biblical narrative of King David to articulate how the user of social media may wisely, safely, and righteously live in that world. The author’s heart and concern for his readers come through clearly. It is delightfully written, and I have learned a great deal from it. I recommend this book highly. ----Jerry Shepherd, Associate Professor of Old Testament at Taylor Seminary What does it mean to follow Christ in our social media age of Facebook and Twitter? In Age of Kings, Bryce Ashlin-Mayo offers us a wonderful answer with biblically grounded reflections on the life of David enriched by the wisdom of Solomon.

Genres: Christian Non Fiction

165 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2018

About the author

Bryce Ashlin-Mayo has been married for over twenty-five years to Laurie and they have three great kids. Bryce has served in fulltime pastoral ministry with the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada for about twenty-five years in a variety of roles. He now serves as Lead Pastor at Westlife Church in Calgary, Alberta.

Bryce has a Bachelor of Theology from Ambrose University, Masters of Divinity in Pastoral Leadership from Taylor Seminary, and has completed his Doctorate of Ministry in Semiotics and Future Studies from George Fox University.

Reviews

[Bret Hammond · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t read nearly enough devotional material. This one is a gem and a necessary voice in today’s social media age.

I found it both convicting and encouraging. The author does an admirable job of applying Scripture to our current day in a way that seldom stretches and often hits exactly where its needed. The “Royal Reflections” at the end of each chapter are well-written. I found myself reflecting on them often through the day.

Drawing from the life of King David, the author calls our attention to current issues related to social media, such as Internet Trolls, Fake News, and even Selfies, and exposes them to the light of Scripture. Chapter-after-chapter, calls the reader to integrity of faith and conduct both in person and while hiding behind an electronic screen.

I read the book in just under a week, often reading a chapter in the morning and another in the evening. I think this would be a good one to take a chapter a week, though, spending more time with the reflections and responses. I could see using this book in a weekly small group setting.

Social media is here to stay. Thankfully, the word of God stands forever. The call to be a “Royal Priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9) should lead God’s people to a standard of conduct and behavior that impacts all our interactions—even those online—perhaps today, especially those online.

Bryce Ashlin-Mayo has provided us with an excellent resource to guide us in “keeping our conduct honorable” (1 Peter 2:12) and allowing God’s goodness to shine through us, even through the light of a monitor.

[Thomas Ricker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bringing perspective to social media

I try to read books on the church and social media seeking to glean insight on the relationship between the two. However I usually find the same thing repeated and usually on a surface level.
This book is not one of those. In fact, this book is largely a "Christian living" book. It does so with the recognition that social media has come to play a large role in 21st century living.

I love the connection between David's life and our 21st century living. His comparisons do not feel thin or contrived but very true to life.

[Rob Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Think before Using

This book provided the reader with numerous warnings about using social media. Many of the negative possibilities of using social media are explored. The author brings up many good points. He also provides some discussion and ideas for reflection. However, I found the book leans heavily towards the negative attributes of social media without looking at the possibilities of it’s use for good. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to be better prepared to deal with social media as a follower of Jesus.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but insightful. Would be a great book to use as a small group if the group wants a manageable, less time-consuming study. The analogy of our social media struggles to the struggles in the life of King David works well. The author is not anti-social media but offers some good nuggets to contemplate, not just what typically comes to mind when thinking of the shortfalls of our social media addicted society.

[Shane Sebastian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical, very engaging, very helpful!

[Cory Shumate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top notch

This book delivers much-needed practical guidance for healthy social media engagement. Questions at the end of each chapter make it a good resource for group discussion.

[Colleen Jantzen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential reading for the digital age.

[Brandon Tupper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction and examination of social media as a tool for Christians leaders and volunteers.