Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture

Cultural Update: Kanye's "God of Me"; AI Resurrections; Florida's DEI Departures

Mar 22, 2024

This podcast discusses Kanye West's controversial declarations, AI tech resurrecting the dead, and Florida's shift away from DEI initiatives. They touch on theological implications of self-sovereignty, healthy grieving with ghost bots, and biblical perspectives on diversity. Listener questions cover family planning with a non-Christian spouse and reflecting God's image amidst perpetuated evil.

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Introduction

00:00 • 2min

Navigating Autonomy and Divine Authority

01:59 • 12min

Artificial Intelligence and the Resurrection of the Dead

13:40 • 15min

Redefining Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

28:53 • 13min

Navigating a Marriage Dilemma and Desiring Children in Faith

42:18 • 5min

Exploration of Bearing God's Image and the Impact of Evil

46:57 • 6min

This week, Sean and guest co-host Thaddeus Williams discuss:

Kanye West's Controversial Statements on Faith: Kanye West, now known as Ye, expressed disillusionment with Jesus in a recent interview, questioning the efficacy of prayer and Christian support. He controversially declared himself as "the God of me," sparking discussions on the nature of faith, idolatry, and self-sovereignty.
Artificial Intelligence and Resurrection: Using artificial intelligence to "resurrect" the dead through digital simulations. This technology, known as ghost bots or death bots, allows for virtual interactions with deceased loved ones, raising questions about healthy grieving processes and the theological implications of seeking reunion beyond death.
The University of Florida's Departure from DEI Initiatives: The University of Florida announced the closure of its Office of the Chief Diversity Officer and the elimination of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) focused positions, sparking a conversation on the effectiveness and intentions behind DEI programs. Sean & Thaddeus explore the biblical perspective on diversity and unity, questioning whether current DEI initiatives align with Christian values and what a biblical approach to diversity might look like.
Listener Question: Family planning with a non-Christian spouse.
Listener Question: Bearing God's image and how perpetuated evil impacts one's humanity.

Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2024/cultural-update-kanye-s-god-of-me-ai-resurrections-florida-s-dei-departures.

Join us for ANCHORED: A Conference for Pastors, Church Leaders and the Community June 9-11, 2025. Hosted by Talbot School of Theology at Biola University in Southern California. Learn more and register at https://www.biola.edu/anchored

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Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.

Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.
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