King's Domain Conference 2025: Future Proof Christianity

King's Domain Conference 2025: Future Proof Christianity

King's Domain Conference 2025: Future Proof Christianity

In his second conference talk, Chris Wiley continues his exploration of techno-utopianism, referencing Donald Fagan’s "IGY" to highlight the seductive optimism of a tech-driven future. He opens with Romans 1:22, warning against the folly of claiming wisdom while embracing foolishness, and reflects on his intellectual formation at Harvard Divinity School, where he foresaw the rise of woke ideology and now anticipates the dominance of Silicon Valley’s techno-utopian vision. Wiley critiques the pervasive influence of artificial intelligence (AI), which he sees as a general-purpose technology reshaping vocations, dominion, and human identity, potentially leading to idolatry and societal fragmentation. He proposes two imaginative scenarios—“Neo-Amish World with an AI Twist” and “Butlerian Jihad Light”—to explore how families and communities might preserve humanity by setting limits on AI, emphasizing discipline and Christian principles. While acknowledging AI’s potential for breakthroughs in healthcare, materials science, and space exploration, Wiley warns of its risks, such as fostering dependency and eroding critical thinking, urging Christians to maintain human dignity as bearers of God’s image.

In this thought-provoking conference talk, Chris Wiley explores the techno-utopian vision of a future shaped by transhumanism and artificial intelligence (AI), drawing from Donald Fagan’s song "IGY" to frame the discussion. He presents a dystopian short story, "The City Was Full of Idols," to illustrate a world where AI and digital deities influence human behavior and societal structures. Wiley critiques the mechanistic thinking behind totalitarianism, referencing thinkers like Mattias Desmet and Yuval Noah Harari, and warns of a transhumanist future where humans are reduced to "hackable animals" or "meat machines." He discusses the implications of AI advancements, such as Neuralink and the singularity, and questions whether humanity can resist or harness AI to serve human purposes. Drawing on historical and philosophical insights from G.K. Chesterton, Hannah Arendt, and others, Wiley urges the audience to consider how to prepare for an uncertain future while maintaining hope rooted in theological virtues.

How can we start living out Biblical manhood and womanhood in a culture that lost that skill?

In this sermon, Pastor Toby discusses the glory of men and women, emphasizing the importance of women's role in making homes and glorifying through their beauty and nurturing abilities. Women are powerful beings who bear the image of God and have the ability to make homes and glorify through their beauty and nurturing abilities. Men should honor and appreciate the glory of women, supporting and encouraging their homemaking and nurturing abilities. The world's rejection of marriage and motherhood has led to the despising of the Christian church, as they are interconnected.

Pastor Matt McBee offers a warning against the dangers of legalism and self-righteousness in gendered virtue. It is tempting to create your own laws and expectations and enforce them where other christians have freedom. Pastor McBee calls for us to align ourselves with God’s standard as written in his law in order to receive his blessing on our homes.

In his address, Pastor Michael Foster shares personal stories to illustrate the profound significance of natural and spiritual families, as instructed in 1st Timothy chapter 5. After recounting his family's recent health struggles and reflecting on the loss of his mother and brother, Foster delves into the biblical teachings surrounding family responsibilities and the distinctions between natural and spiritual kinships. He emphasizes the importance of providing for one’s family, honoring elders, and treating members of the church with respect akin to familial relations. Foster critiques contemporary Christian attitudes towards suffering and loss, arguing for a more grounded, realistic acknowledgment of pain and the endurance of loss. He also discusses the nuances of adoption, fatherhood, and the impact of broken families, urging a return to a biblically oriented social structure that values the intergenerational household and acknowledges the lasting effects of loss. Foster's message is a call to embrace our roles within both our natural and spiritual families, underscoring the transformative power of faith and responsibility across generations.

In this talk, Shane Morris explores the profound question of the purpose of children through personal anecdotes, humor, and cultural observations. Morris argues for the intrinsic value of children - not only as a source of personal fulfillment and societal continuity but as a reflection of divine intention and the natural order. He challenges contemporary attitudes toward marriage, childlessness, and the pursuit of personal pleasure, advocating for a re-evaluation of priorities towards family, heritage, and children's inherent worth. Morris concludes by inviting listeners to reflect on the role of children in their lives and the broader spiritual and societal implications, presenting a compelling case for the importance of embracing child-rearing as a central aspect of human purpose and fulfillment.