Austin and Andrew explore the intersection of idolatry and technology, particularly how AI can act just like idols used to. Why is Andrew studying idolatry and AI? How do they connect? How should we take Tertullian's views on idolatry and apply them to today? They explore these questions and more, including the human need for connection and how technology can fulfill or distort that need, drawing on insights from Sherry Turkle's work. Ultimately, Andrew challenges listeners to consider whether their use of technology leads to life or idolatry.

Join the WWJT Discord: https://discord.gg/AdkWsxRZ

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/WWJT

00:00 - Introduction to Idolatry and Technology

08:32 - Some History on Idolatry

11:16 - Ethics of AI Development

17:33 - The Search for Meaning in AI

20:25 - The Nature of Life and AI

23:15 - Human Relationships vs. AI Companionship

27:46 - Choose Life

Thumbnail image made by ChatGPT using the following prompt: create youtube thumbnail for What Would Jesus Tech podcast on how AI can be like idolatry. just keep it simple with minimal words and make a beautiful technological image of an idol. Shownotes have some AI input as well, leveraging Riverside.

Cohosted by Andrew Noble, Joel Jacob, and Austin Gravley. Original Music by Abigail Neale. To learn more about What Would Jesus Tech and to support the show visit whatwouldjesustech.com

Keywords: idolatry, technology, AI, Christianity, ethics, biblical theology, human relationships, modern idolatry, Sherry Turkle, meaning

Have Christians historically been innovators in the tech space? At least when it comes to the codex and the printing press, the answer seems to be yes. That's what Wes Huff argued in his video over at Apologetics Canada. We watched that video and discussed its implications, including: the historical context of the writings of the Bible, the emotional impact of technology on faith, and the implications of generative AI for ministry.

We also delve into the balance between innovation and tradition in worship, the role of immersive experiences in understanding scripture, and the trade-offs associated with new technologies.

0:00 - Innovating Faith? An intro.

2:38 - Historical Perspectives: Technology and the Bible

8:13 - Navigating the New Tech Landscape: AI and Coding

10:40 - The Balance, in Worship & Evangelism

16:14 - Immersive Experiences: The Future of Scripture Engagement?

19:00 - Cultural Influences: Fandom and Interpretation of Scripture

21:53 - A Christian Technological Imagination

Please send your ideas, questions, and feedback to the cohosts, Andrew Noble, Joel Jacob, and Austin Gravley, at [email protected]. These shownotes were created with the assistance of Generative AI. Original Music by Abigail Neale. To learn more about What Would Jesus Tech and to support the show visit whatwouldjesustech.com

"Just ship it, even if you're 19."

"You can only control your outputs."

In this episode, Andrew Noble, Austin Gravley, and Ian Harber discuss the intersection of marketing, faith, and personal branding. This is our fourth and final public episode of Multiplying the Word. They explore how marketing can be a tool for spreading ideas. We should steward our stories and reputations. Ian shares insights from his journey in writing and marketing, emphasizing the need for authenticity and the value of connecting with an audience. Vulnerability and authenticity don't always mix well. Ian discusses how to appropriately share.

Chapters

00:00 - Intro

02:05 - Is Marketing Dirty?

10:52 - Mind Your Reputation

21:29 - Tactics

29:44 - The Stewardship Journey

32:35 - Navigating Personal Stories and Vulnerability

39:39 - Crafting a Personal Narrative

43:36 - Advice for Aspiring Writers/Creators

Cohosted by Andrew Noble, Joel Jacob, and Austin Gravley. Original Music by Abigail Neale. To learn more about What Would Jesus Tech and to support the show visit whatwouldjesustech.com. Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/fAqx3WGu

Joel: "AI models are like four years olds."

Andrew: "AI is not a fad."

In this episode of WWJT, Andrew Noble (Theology & AI PhD Student at U of Nottingham) and Joel Jacob (AI & Robotics Product Manager at Splunk) explore the evolving landscape of AI, discussing the differences between various AI models, ethical considerations in their usage, and the implications of AI on daily life. They delve into the importance of user experience, the role of open-source models, and the future of AI in software development. The discussion emphasizes the need for caution in using AI for personal and emotional tasks while also highlighting its practical applications in everyday scenarios.

Chapters

00:00 - Understanding AI Models

11:56 - Some Ethical Considerations

15:05 - Claude vs ChatGPT

21:07 - Open Source vs. Proprietary AI Models

24:17 - The Future of AI in Software Development

27:12 - AI's Impact on Daily Life

33:02 - More AI Dilemmas

Keywords: AI, generative models, ChatGPT, ethics, multimodal models, open source, technology, user experience, software development, machine learning, Christianity, Moral Theology

Cohosted by Andrew Noble, Joel Jacob, and Austin Gravley. Original Music by Abigail Neale. The writing of these show notes was assisted by Generative AI. To learn more about What Would Jesus Tech and to support the show visit whatwouldjesustech.com.

In this episode of What Would Jesus Tech, hosts Andrew Noble and Austin Gravley chat with Luke Simmons, a lead pastor, discussing the intersection of digital marketing and pastoral ministry. One of our most practical episodes for what churches can be doing!

We explore the role of social media for pastors, the potential harms of digital media, and how to leverage digital tools for local ministry. Luke shares practical tips for creating engaging church communications, overcoming barriers to digital engagement, and navigating the challenges of content creation, including the use of AI. We also address the celebrity pastor culture, and how local-first is the way to build out your digital content as a church.

Follow Luke Simmons on Twitter/X.

FaithfulandFruitful.com (Pastoral and Leadership Resources from Luke).

Takeaways from this episode

• Pastors should consider using social media as a tool for expanding their "word" and discipleship ministry.
• Digital content (like podcasts or social media posts) cannot replace visitation, preaching, and pastoral care, but it can help teach people the ways of Christ.
• Digital media can pose risks, including moral dangers (e.g. lust) and distractions. This isn't for every pastor or every church.
• Digital content creation should be approached with a mindset of iteration and experimentation.
• Utilizing email effectively can significantly increase engagement rates.
• Balancing personal interests with pastoral responsibilities is crucial in communication.
• The use of AI in content creation should be approached thoughtfully and authentically.

Support us on Patreon.

Join our Discord Group.

Chapters

0:00 - Introduction to Digital Marketing for Pastors

2:00 - The Role of Social Media in Pastoral Ministry

3:33 - Potential Harms of Social Media for Pastors

7:03 - Using Digital Tools for Ministry (e.g. podcast)

12:43 - Transforming Church Communication (e.g. emails)

16:42 - Creating & Repurposing Content

27:33 - The Importance of Practice in Communication

28:57 - Leadership and Communication: The Core Connection

30:02 - Choosing Topics & Outlets for Digital Ministry

39:20 - Addressing the Celebrity Pastor Culture

43:01 - Practical Tips for Digital Engagement

WWJT is cohosted by Andrew Noble, Joel Jacob, and Austin Gravley. Original Music by Abigail Neale. These show notes were co-created by Andrew and an AI tool. To learn more about What Would Jesus Tech and to support the show visit whatwouldjesustech.com

In this episode, co-hosts Andrew Noble and Joel Jacob speak with Dr. Glenn Butner about the intersection of theology, economics, and moral formation. They discuss how markets function, the moral implications of economic systems, and the role of trust in transactions. The conversation emphasizes the need for Christians to engage thoughtfully with economic practices and the importance of understanding the complexities of market design. Butner's book, 'Work Out Your Salvation,' serves as a foundation for discussing how faith can inform economic behavior and moral formation.

Support WWJT on Patreon and receive a book! Must sign up before March 31st, 2025.

Buy Butner's book: https://www.amazon.com/Work-Out-Your-Salvation-Formation/dp/1506479413

Read Andrew's review: https://adfontesjournal.com/book-review/work-out-your-salvation-a-review/

Takeaways (AI Generated with Human Oversight):

• Markets are not just economic systems; they are technologies that shape our interactions and form who we are.
• Incentives can significantly alter behavior, sometimes in unexpected ways.
• Christian engagement with economics should be nuanced and informed by scripture.
• The church has a role in shaping economic practices and moral formation.
• A doctrine like Common Grace can help us make sense of how markets can form us in good ways.
• Understanding social sin is crucial in navigating market dynamics.
• Christians should analyze specific markets rather than endorse or condemn entire systems.
• Moral formation can occur outside the church through various societal interactions.
• Every individual has a responsibility to consider the ethical implications of their economic choices.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and We'll Send You A Book!

02:21 Understanding Markets and Moral Formation

06:46 The Impact of Incentives on Behavior

14:52 Theological Perspectives on Markets

23:32 Moral Formation in Secular Markets

28:02 Practical Takeaways?

40:47 Innovative Hiring Practices and Market Design

42:30 The Role of Markets in Social Justice

46:41 Moral Formation and Market Interaction

49:28 Conclusion and Reflections on Agency

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/YskwNchC

How do we navigate content creation in a digital age? We consider this today through the angle of institutions, like media organizations who are trying to spread good resources across varyingly helpful digital outlets.

Joining us is Caleb Wait. He is the Director of Content at Sola Media (the makers beyond multiple top Christian podcasts, including the White Horse Inn, Core Christianity, and Theo Global).

In Multiplying The Word we explore the whats, the whys, and the hows of digital marketing: living in the digital, but not of it.

Welcome to What Would Jesus Tech. A podcast devoted to imitating Jesus in a technological age. We believe deep thinking with biblical theology, courageous building of good technology, and rich reflection on what it means to be human. I am Andrew Noble, I am a Theology PhD Student with a background in AI, I'm joined by our two cohosts, Austin Gravely, Social Media Manager at The Gospel Coalition with a background in ministry and online marketing, and Joel Jacob, Principle Product Manager at Splunk with a background in Robotics, AI, and Engineering

Cohosted by Andrew Noble, Joel Jacob, and Austin Gravley. Original Music by Abigail Neale. To learn more about What Would Jesus Tech and to support the show visit whatwouldjesustech.com

Technology, particularly AI, poses a threat to the necessity of humanity. We see this in students using AI to bypass learning, self-driving vehicles replacing human drivers, AI competing with medical diagnosticians, and tablets which aim to replace traditional teaching methods. The question isn't hypothetical – these developments are already challenging human roles in education, transportation, healthcare, and beyond.

We don't just need to respond. We need a vision. We need direction. We need a New Technology Agenda that values the human person, and there is no value in persons if they have no place in families.

A couple weeks ago, Brad Littlejohn, Clare Morell, and a team of others published A Future for the Family: A New Technology Agenda for the Right. It includes ten principles designed to serve the family.

Add your name: https://afutureforthefamily.org/

The Ten Principles (the original New Agenda as published in First Things).

In today's episode, Andrew and Joel discuss this "New Agenda," how Christians working in technology could adopt it, and a way forward for a kind of limited dynamic innovation in North America.

0:00 - Preamble

2:08 - Intro to Brad and Clare

4:06 - The Principles

8:00 - The Government Against Innovation? For it? How?

17:53 - Children, AI, and Limits

32:33 - "I want to see more dynamic innovation" - Brad

34:20 - Implicitly Christian; Common Sense Values

38:39 - Specific Recommendations?

Other links:

Human Nature Isn't Enough By Brad Littlejohn

The Tech Exit by Clare Morell

Clare Morell's Substack

Brad Littlejohn's Substack

EPPC.org

What Would Jesus Tech is a listener-supported podcast. Support us and receive various perks (some early access to episodes and a bonus mini-episode each month). https://www.patreon.com/WWJT

Today we kick off our new series: Multiplying The Word. We will explore the whats, the whys, and the hows of digital marketing: living in the digital, but not of it. We hope this podcast will help pastors, Christian organizations, and individual believers embrace principles and practices of digital marketing, based on our conversations with leading experts, to multiply the word in our digital world. 

We believe you can use social media for good, to share Christian content, for the love of our neighbors and to the glory of God. But how? How can we reconcile all the harms of social media (such as the ways it sucks you into loops of anxiety-ridden dopamine loops) with using it for good?

To help us, we're joined again by Chris Martin. He's written multiple books on the harms of the social internet, and yet he's here to tell you there are ways to use it for good.

0:00 - Intro and Background

3:53 - What's Chris doing? Key insights from his books

10:45 - Reconcile dangerous social media with using it for good?

15:34 - How to build? Audio? Video? Strategies

26:10 - Just post loser

38:20 - Stewardship

53:20 - Navigating different platforms

1:07:40 - Engagement vs Content Engine

Join our Discord here!

To learn more about What Would Jesus Tech and to support the show visit whatwouldjesustech.com

In this episode, our two Canadian Christian hosts, Andrew Noble (with a background more in AI and SaaS) and Joel Jacob (with a background more in IoT and robotics), talk through Trump's recent announcements that are pro-AI, pro-crypto, and anti-Canada.

0:00 - Intro

1:26 - CES Trends (Glasses and Robotics & Generalized Tech)

4:30 - 500 Billion for AI

7:46 - Ethical & Environmental Concerns of Massively Scaling AI

14:40 - Canada's Place In All This

21:55 - Tech Oligarchy? Regulation?

Part Two is available for Patreon supporters, including:

27:25 - David Sacks, PayPal Mafia, and Cutting the Red Tape

33:59 - C.S. Lewis' N.I.C.E. Prediction, and How Should Christians Act?

Thanks for your support!

We'd love your feedback for future shows, episode feedback, potential guests, etc..

Reach out at whatwouldjesustech.com