Jessica Hooten Wilson on Isolation and the Misuse of Power in Shakespeare's The Tempest

Wrestling with Shakespeare, Faith, and the Limits of Technology

Host Curtis Chang and Dr. Jessica Hooten Wilson—Fletcher Jones Chair of Great Books at Pepperdine University—explore The Tempest by William Shakespeare and its timeless wisdom for our technology-driven world. Through Prospero's struggle with power, control, and love, they draw parallels between Shakespeare's "magic" and our modern dependence on digital tools. Wilson explains how the play invites us to surrender our illusions of control, embrace humility, and rediscover relationships grounded in grace. Curtis and Jessica's discussion touches on C.S. Lewis, Andy Crouch, and the spiritual discipline of wrestling with hard texts and ideas in an age of easy answers from ChatGPT.

(02:30) - Dependence Upon Technology as Magic

(05:40) - What Do We Forget in Our Obsessions?

(11:03) - The Change in Prospero

(13:41) - Engaging With Challenging Texts

(18:53) - The Temptation of AI

(21:40) - Celebrating Good Faith Podcast Production

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Mentioned In This Episode:

• William Shakespeare's The Tempest (entire play)
• Andy Crouch's The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place
• Genesis 32:22-32 (ESV) - Jacob Wrestling with God or "the Angel"
• C.S. Lewis's The Abolition of Man (pdf)
• The Tempest Act V, Scene 1: "Prospero's Speech"
• John 1:1-14 (ESV) - Jesus as the Word or "logos"
• Hebrews 5:11-6:12 (ESV) - the metaphor of milk and solid food

More From Jessica Hooten Wilson:

• Jessica Hooten Wilson's website
• Explore Jessica's books HERE
• Read articles and Essay by Jessica HERE

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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of Redeeming Babel, a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Redeeming Babel.