Shows
Future of Church: Navigating Christianity in the Digital AgeAI Voice Bots: Opportunity or Threat to Real Human Connection?More and more we're interacting with technology with our voices, which isn't surprising given it's our primary method of communication. But, what does that mean for Christians, and how should we respond?
In this thought-provoking episode, we explore the rapidly evolving world of AI voice technology and its profound implications on human connection, particularly within the context of Christianity and modern culture.
As big tech companies like OpenAI and Meta push the boundaries with advanced voice capabilities, we thoroughly examine the potential benefits and the alarming risks these technological advancements pose.
We'll discuss...2024-10-0742 minFuture of Church: Navigating Christianity in the Digital AgeRest for the Weary: Relying on Christ in an AI-Driven WorkplaceIs your work-life balance teetering on the edge as AI accelerates productivity expectations? What does this mean for Christians as we seek peace and purpose in a rapidly changing landscape?
In this episode, Joe and I are diving into a topic that hits close to home for many of us: the impact of AI on our workloads and mental health. A recent study from Upwork revealed some staggering statistics about how AI is driving increased productivity expectations, yet leaving many employees without the necessary support or guidance. This imbalance is leading to unprecedented levels of burnout and...2024-08-0534 minFuture of Church: Navigating Christianity in the Digital AgeUnseen Suffering in the Underbelly of AI: A Christian Examination of the Human Cost Behind AI DevelopmentBehind the seamless operation of our favorite tech gadgets and AI-powered tools lies a hidden world of exploitation. How often do we think about the human cost behind our digital conveniences? Are we even aware?
This week, Joe and I dive deep into the often overlooked and unsettling reality of data worker exploitation in AI development. We'll uncover the dark underbelly of how advanced AI technologies are built. We'll explore the harrowing conditions that data workers, often in developing countries, endure to train and refine the AI systems we rely on daily. From reviewing obscene and traumatic...2024-07-2245 minFuture of Church: Navigating Christianity in the Digital AgeThe Illusion of Connection: Examining the Ethics and Impact of AI ClonesHow would you feel if you thought you were talking to your favorite influencer only to realize later it was an AI clone? Well, you won't have to imagine it since it's already here, which should raise about authenticity and community as believers in the digital age.
This week, Joe and I dive into the latest development from Instagram: AI clones for influencers. We kick things off by exploring the practical and ethical implications of these AI clones. Sure, they promise more engagement, but at what cost?
Joe and I talk through our initial reactions...2024-07-1538 minFuture of Church: Navigating Christianity in the Digital AgeBiblical Decision-Making in the AI Age: Understanding AI's Role in Shaping Christian ThoughtWith AI becoming an integral part of the decisions we make and actions we take, how do we, as believers, navigate this new landscape? This week, Joe and I explore the implications of relying on AI for decision-making and discernment, especially when it comes to our faith and daily practices.
This week's conversations was sparked by an intriguing article on AI's role in tennis officiating, we discuss the broader implications of AI oversight and the way it subtly shifts our behaviors and priorities. From there, we explored some of the different ways these tools can shape and...2024-07-0146 minFuture of Church: Navigating Christianity in the Digital AgeThe Countercultural Commandment: Why Sabbath Rest Matters Now More Than EverIs Sabbath rest practical or even possible in a world of relentless progress and technological innovation?
With the latest in tech promising to offer rest around the next corner, at what point do we recognize the false promise that it is and go back to the Biblical wisdom of being relentlessly intentional about finding rest? It's not easy when you live in a world that's "always on" with pings, notifications, and neverending pressure to constantly be connected.
This week Joe and I are digging into what the Bible really...2024-06-1752 minFuture of Church: Navigating Christianity in the Digital AgeSowing Seeds of Kindness & Truth: Using the Fruit of the Spirit to Combat Division and MisinformationWith the rapid rise of AI-generated content and the rampant spread of misinformation, what is the key to combating it in a way that creates unity, not division?
This week, we're exploring a topic that's more relevant than ever: how we, as believers, can navigate the murky waters of misinformation and division in our digital age. Spoiler alert: the solution isn't tech, and it isn't new.
Joe and I tackle the tough questions: How do we discern truth from deception when AI-generated content is rampant? What role do the Fruit of the Spirit play in...2024-06-1054 minFuture of Church: Navigating Christianity in the Digital AgeStriking the Digital Balance: Exploring Benefits, Concerns, and Practical Applications of AI in the ChurchHow can we embrace AI to enhance our ministry without becoming overly dependent on it?
This week, Joe and I are unpacking that question and highlighting some of the challenges we all face as we look to answer it. Together we talk through the practicalities and ethical considerations of using AI in various aspects of church life. From sermon preparation and Bible study to community outreach and administrative tasks, AI offers numerous opportunities to streamline and enrich our efforts. However, is there a line, and if so, where do we draw it? How can we ensure that...2024-06-0351 minFuture of Church: Navigating Christianity in the Digital AgeGuarding Against Silicon Sins: The Church's Response to the Rise of AI in Adult ContentHow does the church navigate the unfamiliar waters of sexual immorality in an era dominated by artificial intelligence?
This week, Joe and I are diving into a discussion that is both timely and urgent given OpenAI's recent announcement to explore the responsible use of their technology for adult entertainment. With adult media already wreaking havoc on society, we need to come together as a body and prepare ourselves for the rapid acceleration in the not-so-distant future.
Together we explore the immediate ethical implications of these recent changes that will push the boundaries of sexual morality...2024-05-1349 minFuture of Church: Navigating Christianity in the Digital AgeRemaining Faithful in the Future of Automation: AI’s Challenge to our Professional Christian IdentityWhat happens when the digital revolution crosses our professional identities? As artificial intelligence reshapes the very fabric of work, how do we, as Christians, navigate the unsettling shifts in our professional identities while maintaining our faith?
Joe is back from vacation, so this week the two of us are exploring the risks a professional identity has when we aren't firmly rooted in our identity in Christ and how much more vulnerable we are in the AI age. We dig into how Christians can remain grounded in their beliefs while navigating the rapidly changing landscape of work. From...2024-05-0658 minFuture of Church: Navigating Christianity in the Digital AgeTranshumanism & Amortality: Navigating A Modern Rebellion Against Our CreatorHow close are we to technology that allows the blind to see and the deaf to hear? A lot closer than you realize.
Joe is out again, so this week I'm delving into the complex and rapidly evolving topic of transhumanism and its implications for Christians and the rest of humanity. I'll explore the implications of the rapid acceleration of advanced AI, humanoid robots, and brain-computer interfaces like Neuralink.
There is no greater time to deeply consider the ethical and spiritual ramifications of pursuing technological solutions to sin problems, such as the quest for immortality...2024-04-0141 minFuture of Church: Navigating Christianity in the Digital AgeDeathbots, Ghostbots, and the Rise of AI NecromancyHow far would you go to hear the voice of a lost loved one or to get an answer to the question you never got to ask?
AI is making it so that you don't have to go that far. However, just because you can do something doesn't mean you should. This week Joe is out, so I'm talking about the meteoric rise of ghostbots and deathbots as AI continues making the formerly impossible possible.
Unfortunately, you won't find a chapter and verse that specifically defines the decision you...2024-03-2542 minFuture of Church: Navigating Christianity in the Digital AgeThe Age of Artificial Experience: Examining Immersive Technology Through a Christian LensWhat does it mean to walk in faith when the boundaries between the physical and digital worlds are increasingly blurred?
This week, we explore immersive technology—virtual reality, augmented reality, and beyond—and its complex and nuanced implications for Christianity. As these artificial experiences become more integrated into our daily lives, they present both unprecedented opportunities and ethical dilemmas for believers.
Together, we'll explore the potential for immersive tech to enhance how we engage with biblical history and educational endeavors as well as transform the church experience. Yet, alongside these exciting prospects, we confront the chal...2024-03-1836 minFuture of Church: Navigating Christianity in the Digital AgeIn His Image: Maintaining a Christ-Centered Identity in a Social Media WorldIn a world where every swipe, like, and share shapes our identity, how do we maintain a Christ-centered self amidst the noise of social media?
This week, Joe and I are diving into the heart of digital identity in a social media world. We unpack the complexities of living out our faith online, recognizing there's no one-size-fits-all answer while acknowledging the universal biblical principles that should guide us all. We unpack some of the very real risks and why it's so important for us to remain intentional in our use of tech.
From the pitfalls...2024-03-1149 minFuture of Church: Navigating Christianity in the Digital AgeThe Idolatry of Technology: Worshiping At The Altar of Digital DeitiesIn a world where screens dominate our landscapes and devices dictate our daily routines, have we crossed the line from users to worshippers in the church of technology?
This week, we dive deep into the heart of our digital devotion, unpacking the subtle ways our gadgets have become gods and our apps, altars. Joe and I will tackle the pressing issue of technology's towering presence in our lives, questioning its sanctified spot on our metaphorical mantelpiece.
Together, we peel back the layers of convenience to reveal the core of our dependence, setting the stage to...2024-03-0439 minFuture of Church: Navigating Christianity in the Digital AgeThe Future of Fidelity: Resisting Sexual Temptation in the AI EraAre we ready for a world where technology is constantly attempting to redraw the boundary lines of sexual intimacy and offer temptations like never before?
In an era where screens were already simulating connection we're now faced with algorithms that offer us unlimited access to our deepest desire with the promise of no accountability. Given that, there's no better time to be embarking on this crucial exploration. This week we're peeling back the layers of digital temptation, weaving through the moral, spiritual, and ethical implications of navigating sexual temptation in the age of artificial intelligence.
...2024-02-2658 minFuture of Church: Navigating Christianity in the Digital AgeIntegrating Algorithms: A Christian Response to the Rise of Artificial IntelligenceCan artificial intelligence deepen our relationships with Christ and others, or is it a dangerous threat to our ability to grow and develop as Christians?
Perhaps the answer isn't quite so simple. In this week's conversation, we're embarking on a journey through the complex terrain where AI, Christian Discipleship, and ethics intersect. With AI’s expanding role in our lives, we delve into its potential to transform church practices, enhance our everyday lives, and raise ethical quandaries that demand our attention.
We'll tackle pressing questions like can AI play a role in fulfilling the mission of...2024-02-1249 minFuture of Church: Navigating Christianity in the Digital AgeCan Christian Communities Thrive Online?: Assessing Digitalization on Christian CommunityIs a true Christian community possible in the digital realm?
This week we’re diving deep into the heart of this question, examining the feasibility and dynamics of digital Christian communities. It’s a far more complex and nuanced topic than it’s often credited, so we thought it worthwhile to explore digitalization in today's increasingly online world.
We tackle challenging questions head-on: Can the essence of church fellowship be captured through screens? How does the digital shift align with biblical teachings? Our conversation navigates through the complexities of virtual church experiences, balancing the traditional with t...2024-02-0553 minFuture of Church: Navigating Christianity in the Digital AgePreaching 2.0: A Tech Twist on the Traditional SermonHow much room is there for technology to redefine the centerpiece of most Sunday church services?
This week we’re embarking on an exploration of how technology can potentially transform the age-old practice of sermon delivery, and we don’t shy away from the uncomfortable questions. We also confront the skepticism and resistance that often accompany technological changes, especially in sacred spaces, encouraging listeners to genuinely consider the possibilities that lie ahead.
We ground our conversation in practical insights and real-world examples of how technology is already reshaping cultural practices and look at them through a bi...2024-01-2944 minFuture of Church: Navigating Christianity in the Digital AgeNavigating Christian Faith in the Digital Era: The Journey BeginsWelcome to the inaugural episode of "Future of Church," where your hosts, Christopher Lind and Joe Streeter, embark on a journey at the crossroads of faith, technology, and culture. In this inaugural session, we're kicking off our journey into the transformative world where traditional church values meet the rapid advancements of the digital age.
Join us as Christopher, a seasoned executive and advisor in the tech landscape, brings his expertise from the corporate world to the heart of church life. Alongside him, Joe, with his educational background and experience in church leadership, shares insights shaped by years...2024-01-2324 min
Movie Deputy REVIEWSMurder on the Orient Express (2017)Murder and mystery, Agatha Christie set these stories up like no one before her or truly no one since. Come along with Inspector Poirot through this harrowing adventure.
Original Review:
Vision, few people have the gift to see beyond normalcy to simply see the world around them. One of them is the renowned Inspector Poirot. Poirot is highly sought after due to his deducing abilities, while en route to help solve another crime, he'll find himself at the heart of a separate situation. You see, whilst onboard the Orient Express, someone is murdered. In order f...2023-09-1906 min