Discernment in the Age of Attention: A Christian Perspective on Engaging False Teaching

Introduction: The Challenge of Discernment

In an era dominated by what scholars term the “attention economy,” Christians face a profound challenge in maintaining doctrinal integrity while engaging wisely with false teaching. In this economy—where attention functions as a scarce resource and visibility often confers perceived legitimacy—we encounter a troubling paradox: our efforts to counter falsehood may unintentionally magnify its reach and cultural influence. This essay arises from a disturbing case involving a high-profile figure on X who publicly presents himself as a confessional Lutheran and Christian Nationalist. While his self-presentation is, on the surface, relatively transparent and consistent with his ideological convictions, it masks the deeper reality that he has been excommunicated from the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and exhibits a clear infatuation with Nazi ideology. Though not overtly deceptive, his prominence and rhetoric pose grave dangers, particularly in a media environment where radical ideas can gain traction through repetition and spectacle. His case highlights the critical importance of discerning truth from error in a digital landscape where false teachers may leverage visibility for influence. Scripture consistently warns against the perils of false teachers and errant doctrine, while simultaneously calling believers to engage thoughtfully with competing ideas. The apostolic charge to “test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thess 5:21) is especially pressing today, demanding from Christians both vigilance and wisdom in evaluating the character and content of prominent voices.

The Biblical Foundation for Discernment

Discernment—the spiritual capacity to distinguish truth from error—stands as a cornerstone of Christian spiritual maturity. The writer of Hebrews describes this capacity as belonging to "the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil" (Heb 5:14). Throughout Scripture, this ability is not presented as optional but essential for the believer's spiritual formation and protection.

Jesus himself warned about false prophets who would come "in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Matt 7:15). The early church faced similar challenges, as evidenced by Paul's admonition to the Ephesian elders regarding "fierce wolves" who would "speak twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them" (Acts 20:29-30). These warnings emphasize not simply the existence of false teaching but its persuasive, deceptive nature—often appearing plausible and originating from seemingly credible sources.

The Paradox of Engagement

Christian leaders today confront what might be called the "engagement paradox"—the reality that addressing false teaching can inadvertently amplify its reach. When ministers extensively refute misinformation, they may introduce these ideas to congregants previously unaware of them. The psychological phenomenon known as the "illusory truth effect" further complicates matters, as repeated exposure to claims, even in the context of refutation, can increase their perceived credibility over time.

The Apostle Paul recognized this dynamic when writing to Timothy about false teachers: "their talk will spread like gangrene" (2 Tim 2:17). His metaphor aptly captures how harmful ideas, once given sufficient attention, can proliferate rapidly through a community. Yet Paul himself engaged directly with false teaching throughout his epistles, recognizing that some errors require explicit confrontation.

Wisdom in Strategic Response

Scripture offers guidance for navigating this complex terrain. The New Testament provides a nuanced approach to engagement rather than a single universal prescription. Jesus sometimes addressed falsehoods directly, as with the Sadducees' misunderstandings about resurrection (Matt 22:23–33), while in other cases remaining silent, as before Herod (Luke 23:9).

Similarly, Paul distinguished between matters requiring immediate, public confrontation (Gal 2:11–14) and those best addressed through "avoiding irreverent babble" (2 Tim 2:16). This suggests the need for strategic discernment regarding when direct engagement serves the gospel and when it might unintentionally elevate harmful ideas.

Protective "Prebunking" and Positive Teaching

The biblical model offers what might be called "prebunking"—proactively strengthening believers' discernment before exposure to false teaching. Paul urged believers to be "transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God" (Rom 12:2). This involves ongoing immersion in sound doctrine that equips Christians to recognize deviation when encountered.

Peter exemplifies this approach when he writes, "I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder," emphasizing the importance of repeatedly establishing foundational truths (2 Pet 1:13). Such positive teaching serves as an inoculation against deception, creating theological antibodies that help believers naturally resist falsehood.

Community Discernment in Practice

The Christian community plays a crucial role in maintaining doctrinal integrity while avoiding the amplification paradox. The Bereans exemplify this community practice, described as "examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so" (Acts 17:11). This collaborative, Scripture-centered evaluation provides a model for how congregations might assess controversial teachings.

Church leaders bear special responsibility in this process. Paul instructs Titus to appoint elders who can "give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it" (Titus 1:9). This dual capacity—to positively teach truth and refute error—requires wisdom regarding which errors warrant public refutation and which might be better addressed through private correction or strategic silence.

Principles for Modern Engagement

Several principles emerge from Scripture for engaging with false teaching in today's attention economy:

First, prioritize robust positive teaching over frequent refutation. The majority of pastoral energy should focus on "teaching what accords with sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1) rather than cataloging errors. Regular exposure to truth provides the most effective protection against falsehood.

Second, consider the scope and influence of the error before public engagement. Not every fringe teaching warrants widespread attention. Jesus focused his corrections on influential religious leaders whose errors affected many, while Paul addressed teachings that had gained significant traction within congregations.

Third, when refutation becomes necessary, minimize repetition of the error itself. Paul often summarizes false teaching without extensively quoting or detailing it, focusing instead on establishing contradicting truth. This approach reduces the risk of unintentionally reinforcing the very ideas being contested.

Fourth, equip believers with interpretive frameworks rather than merely correcting individual errors. Paul's approach with Timothy emphasized proper handling of Scripture (2 Tim 2:15) that would enable ongoing discernment rather than dependence on apostolic correction for each new error.

Conclusion: Faithful Watchfulness

The call to discernment requires both vigilance and wisdom. As Peter warns, "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Pet 5:8). This watchfulness must be exercised with strategic wisdom regarding how and when to engage falsehood publicly.

The paradox of the attention economy does not negate the Christian responsibility to "contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). Rather, it calls us to more thoughtful engagement, recognizing that our finite attention represents spiritual fertile ground that must be cultivated with care. By developing mature discernment within communities grounded in Scripture, believers can navigate the challenging information landscape while maintaining doctrinal fidelity and gospel witness.

In this endeavor, the words of Jesus provide both comfort and direction: "I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matt 10:16). This wisdom—strategic, discerning, and pure in motive—represents the Christian's most effective approach to engaging false teaching in an age of attention.

Communication and Media Studies

Boyd, Danah. “Hacking the Attention Economy.” Data & Society: Points, January 5, 2017. 

https://points.datasociety.net/hacking-the-attention-economy-9fa1d846e7c6.

Explores how bad actors exploit the attention economy to amplify misinformation, directly supporting your concern about visibility conferring legitimacy and the paradox of debunking.

Phillips, Whitney. The Oxygen of Amplification: Better Practices for Reporting on Extremists, Antagonists, and Manipulators Online. New York: Data & Society Research Institute, 2018. https://datasociety.net/library/oxygen-of-amplification/.

Argues that media coverage can amplify harmful narratives, aligning with the discussion of the engagement paradox and the need for strategic silence or positive teaching.

Wardle, Claire, and Hossein Derakhshan. Information Disorder: Toward an Interdisciplinary Framework for Research and Policy Making. Strasbourg: Council of Europe, 2017. https://rm.coe.int/information-disorder-report-november-2017/1680764666.

Introduces the framework of misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation, supporting the analysis of the attention economy and the need for prebunking and narrative-focused responses.

Wu, Tim. The Attention Merchants: The Epic Scramble to Get Inside Our Heads. New York: Knopf, 2016.

A historical and cultural analysis of the attention economy, providing context for the discussion of how visibility shapes legitimacy in modern media environments.

Interdisciplinary Works

Marwick, Alice, and Rebecca Lewis. Media Manipulation and Disinformation Online. New York: Data & Society Research Institute, 2017. https://datasociety.net/library/media-manipulation-and-disinfo-online/.

Combines communication theory with cultural analysis to explore how misinformation spreads, supporting your discussion of the attention economy and the risks of amplifying false teaching.

Tufekci, Zeynep. Twitter and Tear Gas: The Power and Fragility of Networked Protest. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2017.

Analyzes how digital platforms amplify certain voices, providing insight into the mechanics of the attention economy and the challenges of managing misinformation in Christian communities.

Vanhoozer, Kevin J. Faith Speaking Understanding: Performing the Drama of Doctrine. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2014.

Bridges theology and communication by emphasizing the performative role of doctrine, supporting the call for positive teaching and community discernment to counter false teaching.

Zuboff, Shoshana. The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power. New York: PublicAffairs, 2019.

Explores how digital platforms monetize attention, offering a critical perspective on the attention economy’s impact on discernment and the spread of false teaching.