What Would Jesus Tech

Is this trend something to be happy about? Many are seeing psychedelics as an "on-ramp" to pagan spiritualism *and* to Christianity.

Psychedelics include LSD, psilocybin (found in magic mushrooms), DMT (found in ayahuasca), and mescaline (found in Peyote and San Pedro cacti). While various ethical concerns may be noted, there are also some apparent medicinal benefits. Is there room for nuance here? Or should we, as Christians, reject psychedelics completely?

Phil Cotnoir is a husband, a father of four, an avid reader, and a freelance writer and editor. He recently wrote:

- The Coming Psychedelic Moment at Mere Orthodoxy

- The Psychedelic Renaissance: A Story of Hype and Hubris at The Gospel Coalition

Keywords: psychedelics, technology, spirituality, Christianity, mental health, conversion stories, tech culture, ethical research, medicinal use, recreational use. Thumbnail generated with the help of ChatGPT.

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

Yes, there is talk of demons controlling AI. Why wouldn't they? Why wouldn't they use Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude to influence humanity?

And yet, we shouldn't go too far when thinking about their control. They are subordinated and limited by God. In this episode, we explore the intersection of spiritual warfare, demons, and artificial intelligence. We get into some personal experiences with demonic influences, and the theological framework needed when thinking about AI demons.

00:00 Intro

01:02 Yes, Demons in 2025

03:06 Limits and Influence of Demons

10:02 Physical Objects

13:51 The Nature of Idols, Demons, and AI

17:39 Cultural Phenomena and Spirituality

23:29 Power and Providence

35:33 Rebuking Demons

Support the show at patreon.com/WWJT

Please send your ideas and feedback to the cohosts, Andrew Noble, Austin Gravley, and Joel Jacob, at [email protected]. Thumbnail: original image created by Colton Sturgeon on Unsplash with edits made by ChatGPT. Original Music by Abigail Neale. To learn more about What Would Jesus Tech and to support the show visit whatwouldjesustech.com

Doing AI Right?

Daniel Manary has held various roles in AI, including CTO of PlaySpace, CTO at Kenesense.AI, Machine Learning Engineer at ProNavigator, and CTO at SimulFit Technologies, among others. He is also the host of Artificial Insights, a podcast where he interviews AI Product Leaders to seperate hype from impact.

In this episode, Andrew Noble sits down with Daniel Manary, host of Artificial Insights, for a conversation that blends faith, technology, and the future. Together, they explore the hidden motivations driving AI, the ethical questions we can’t afford to ignore, and the surprising ways AI might reshape human connection. From Daniel’s inside perspective in the AI industry to a distinctly Christian vision for technology, this episode asks: can AI be built with both brilliance and a moral compass?

00:00 - Intro

03:05 - Dan had a dream

05:00 - How you build matters

11:12 - What AI future should we care about most?

17:33 - Optimistic about AI? Why?

20:53 - Current AI Projects and Future Directions

30:00 - Wrap Things Up

Check out Dan's podcast: Artificial Insights: How To Do AI Right.

Connect with Dan Manary on LinkedIn.

Please send your ideas, questions, and feedback to the cohosts, Andrew Noble, Joel Jacob, and Austin Gravley, at [email protected]. Original Music by Abigail Neale.

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

Our guest today explores what it means to be ourselves truthfully. That is, true to our calling - our true, good, and beautiful callings.

In this episode of What Would Jesus Tech? we delve into the concept of vocation beyond traditional job roles with our esteemed guest, Dr. Karen Swallow Prior. An award-winning author and cultural commentator, Karen shares insights from her latest book, "You Have a Calling," exploring how vocation intertwines with truth, goodness, and beauty.

We discuss the evolving nature of work, the impact of technology, and how to find purpose in a rapidly changing world.

Karen Swallow Prior is an award-winning author and cultural commentator who writes at the intersection of faith, literature, and public life.

Buy her book! Link to Baker Publishing Group. Link to amazon.com.

00:00 - Intro

02:15 - Calling as Vocation

10:30 - Calling vs Passion

18:45 - AI and Job Shifts Due to Tech

27:00 - Integrating Truth, Goodness, and Beauty in Our Work

35:20 - Addressing Modern Challenges and Anxieties in Vocation

Karen's Substack: https://karenswallowprior.substack.com/

Thanks for listening. On behalf of me, Andrew Noble, and the rest of the team, we appreciate you taking the time to think more deeply about what it means to imitate Jesus in our technological age. You can support our podcast by sharing it with friends, writing a review, or going to our Patreon page and becoming a member. I do use Generative AI to help write the episode description and create the chapters. This last paragraph however, was written completely by me. Hence the unnecessary length, incomplete sentences, and abrupt ending.

Smart glasses are in your churches. What should you do?

In this episode, we explore the evolution of smart glasses, the need for churches to have policies in place regarding their use, and the importance of balancing accessibility for individuals with visual impairments against the need for privacy and safety, especially for children. The conversation also touches on the cultural acceptance of smart glasses, the future of this technology, and the necessity for churches to prepare for potential risks associated with it.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Smart Glasses in Churches

04:57 The Importance of Having a Plan

08:47 Privacy Concerns and Policies

16:04 Balancing Accessibility and Safety

22:26 Preparing for the Unexpected

26:00 Conclusion and Call to Action

Images used in the thumbnail include:

- https://www.ray-ban.com/

Join us on Discord - https://discord.gg/P3pMnAkj

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

We discuss the challenges and joys of being a dad during the summer.

Part two on Patreon.

We explore the balance between technology use and outdoor play, the importance of being present with children, and creating memorable experiences. The conversation emphasizes the significance of presence over perfection in parenting, especially during the summer months when schedules can be more relaxed. (And yes, the thumbnail for this is based on Bluey and created by ChatGPT)

Chapters

00:00 Summer!

03:12 Screen Time

06:07 Balancing Freedom and Structure (Patreon)

09:08 Presence (Patreon)

16:03 Adventures (Patreon)

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

Have a great summer!

Sam Altman, the founder of ChatGPT, believes we're past the event horizon. We're past the point of no return. The future is an AI future. And, well, Andrew Noble and Joel Jacob mostly agree. But with some important caveats related to AI safety, deterministic versus probabilistic coding, determinism philosophically, and agency amidst rapid technological advancements.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:28 AI Defense and Security

07:47 The Gentle Singularity

13:43 The Deterministic vs. Instrumentalist View of Tech

22:46 Probabilistic vs. Deterministic Coding in AI

25:31 Evaluating AI's Performance, Ethics, and Impact

31:34 Finding Hope in the AI Age

Links

- Sam Altman on A Gentle Singularity

- Using GenAI helps consultants:

- ChatGPT May Be Eroding Critical Thinking Skills, According to a New MIT Study

Keywords: AI, Artificial Intelligence, OpenAI, Sam Altman, technology, singularity, ethics, job displacement, security, human values, deterministic, probabilistic

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/WWJT

"AI is a tool, not a partner."

As more people use AI tools like ChatGPT, how should Christian leaders respond? On one hand, there are opportunities to leverage Artificial Intelligence as a tool for human flourishing. But we should also be cautious about its potential to diminish human connection and creativity. They discuss the need for engagement, the importance of community, and the role of the Christian faith despite the allure of transhumanism.

Cohosts Andrew Noble (PhD Student Theology & Technology), Joel Jacob (Principle Product Manager at Splunk), and Austin Gravley (TGC Social Media Manager) discuss a new book by Sean O'Callaghan and Paul Hoffman: AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep: Leading and Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.

Buy the book: AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep: Leading and Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:35 The Journey to Writing the Book

05:41 Engaging with AI as a Tool vs Partner

17:10 Navigating AI in Ministry

32:54 Understanding AI Limitations and Risks

38:14 Reclaiming Our Humanity

Join our discord.

Support us on Patreon.

Keywords: AI, technology, human flourishing, theology, ministry, relationships, creativity, community, digital age, Paul Hoffman

"God purposefully designed humans to have limits and depend on one another." Why is it so hard to believe this?

Theologian Kelly Kapic discusses this with us in his new book, You Were Never Meant to Do It All: A 40-Day Devotional On The Goodness of Being Human.

Cohosts Andrew Noble and Austin Gravley ask Kapic about human limitations, depending on one another, and the balance between work ethic and rest. They discuss the importance of community and the significance of physical touch in a technological age.

Buy the book! Link: https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/you-were-never-meant-to-do-it-all/406045

Earlier episodes with Kelly Kapic:

- discussing Kapic's You're Only Human ("Limits")

- and the Tyranny of Time

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:40 Understanding Human Limits

09:57 "Balance"

15:00 Technology and Human Limitations

21:55 Touch

26:57 Self-Optimization

28:43 Love

31:43 Stress

35:54 Community

42:51 Place

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

How should Christians navigate various faith and technology organizations? Some are Universities. Others are non-profits you can volunteer with. The three cohosts chat with Corey Hickson on the intersection of engineering education, technology, and growing your faith.

They explore the role of Christian universities in shaping future engineers, the impact of AI on education and work, and the importance of integrating faith into the tech space, even if you don't work at a Christian company! The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by Christians in technology, the need for community, and the significance of viewing work as a form of worship.

00:00 - Intros and Background to Dr. Cory Hixson of Colorado Christian University

04:25 - Be a generalist! And Christian Universities for Technology?

12:10 - Exploring Christian Tech Orgs & The Ecosystem of Faith and Technology

20:44 Worship Through Work in Engineering

25:30 - You Don't Have To Join a "Christian" Org!

30:15 - Parachurch Tech Orgs?

36:17 - Faith and Work Integration in Tech

39:04 - Supporting Engineers in Their Faith Journey

44:09 - The Future of Technology and Human Interaction

Join our discord: https://discord.gg/u3vMQ45w

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

Keywords

engineering education, Christian universities, AI impact, faith and work, technology integration, Christian organizations, future of work, community in tech, worship through work, engineering careers

Cohosted by Joel Jacob, Andrew Noble, and Austin Gravley. Original Music by Abigail Neale. The image was created with the assistance of ChatGPT. The show notes were written with aid from Riverside's AI. To learn more about What Would Jesus Tech and to support the show visit whatwouldjesustech.com