How do we theologically look at AI?
Alex and Scott sit down with C.R. Wiley, an author, pastor, and podcaster on the theological and cultural implications of artificial intelligence (AI). Wiley outlines how AI—particularly large language models—presents both a technological revolution and a spiritual challenge. He frames AI development as not merely a technical progression but a competing eschatology—a vision of the future that rivals Christian hope.
Wiley stresses that AI technologies—especially when perceived as sentient or divine—serve as modern idols that can fulfill spiritual functions, replacing prayer, human affirmation, and even "divine" guidance. This functional idolatry, he argues, should concern Christians deeply. Finally, Wiley calls the church to prepare not only ethically but also spiritually for a future increasingly shaped by machine intelligence.
Key Topics:
- Large Language Models (LLMs) and their limitations
- The black-box nature of AI and the dangers of unintended outcomes
- Transhumanism as a form of rival eschatology to Christianity
- AI as a functional god/idol in a secular age
- Social, psychological, and pedagogical harms of AI
- Urgency for ethical and spiritual discernment in engaging AI technologies
Download the transcript for this episode.
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