Send us a text

In this episode, Richard explores how Artificial Intelligence technology might be appropriately used within faith communities, as well as how individual persons might use the technology to enhance their spiritual practices. 

Contents 

1. Defining Artificial Intelligence and understanding different levels of AI, from the current state of the technology to projections about what it may accomplish in the future. 

1. Potential uses of AI in the life and ministry of a church or other faith community.  Also, Artificial Intelligence’s potential uses in individual spiritual practices. 

1. What AI is not. 

1. Examining the limitations and risks of AI in the life and ministry of faith communities.  Risks of using AI in individual spiritual practices. 

1. Broadening the focus, five societal risks posed by AI. 

1. A Christian “theology” of technology, based upon the Six-Day Creation Story (Genesis 1) and the Tower of Babel Story (Genesis 11:3-9) 

1. Five Principles to guide the ethical use of AI, from Michael Paulus, Jr. 

1. A six-step strategy for introducing Artificial Intelligence into the life and ministry of a church or other faith community. 

Sources Used: 

Anderson, Bernhard W. “Human Dominion over Nature.” In Biblical Studies in Contemporary Thought: The Tenth Anniversary Commemorative Volume of the Trinity College Biblical Institute, 1966–1975, edited by Miriam Ward, 27–45. Burlington, VT: The Institute, 1975. 

Nash, James A. Loving Nature: Ecological Integrity and Christian Responsibility. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1991. ISBN 978-0-687-22824-9. 

Paulus, Michael J., Jr. Artificial Intelligence and the Apocalyptic Imagination: Artificial Agency and Human Hope. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books (Wipf and Stock), 2023. ISBN 978-1-6667-3639-7. 

Snell, R. J. “Ethics Won’t Save Us from AI.” The New Atlantis 78 (Fall 2024): 67–74. 

Jambrek, Stanko. “Christians Facing the Challenges of Artificial Intelligence.” Kairos: Evangelical Journal of Theology 18, no. 1 (2024): 75–94.