In this final episode of season one of the Rule of Life podcast, you will hear an interview with luminary thinker, Andy Crouch. Topically, this conversation covers a wide range - touching on topics like the spiritual implications of labor saving devices, modern magic, Sabbath, and the truth about human desires.Andy Crouch is partner for theology and culture at Praxis, an organization that works as a creative engine for redemptive entrepreneurship. His writing explores faith, culture, and the image of God in the domains of technology, power, leadership, and the arts. He is the author of five books (plus another with his daughter, Amy Crouch): The Life We're Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World, The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place, Strong and Weak: Embracing a Life of Love, Risk and True Flourishing, Playing God: Redeeming the Gift of Power, and Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling. For more than ten years Andy was an editor and producer at Christianity Today, including serving as executive editor from 2012 to 2016. His work and writing have been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Time, and several editions of Best Christian Writing and Best Spiritual Writing—and, most importantly, received a shout-out in Lecrae's 2014 single "Non-Fiction." Andy lives with his family in Pennsylvania.

New technology seems to be revolutionizing our world on a daily basis.  ChatGPT — which has been used by more than a million people — might replace internet search engines and possibly your job.  How should Christians deal with these machines that can communicate facts, create business plans, and do homework at the push of a button? On this week’s episode of the Good Faith podcast, Curtis sits down with his friend, bestselling author Andy Crouch, to discuss how technology can enhance our lives or possibly deform us. They describe how technology paints as a false vision of human flourishing—and encourage Christians to fight back.  SHOW NOTES: ChatGPT: In December 2022, Jeremy Howard, an artificial intelligence researcher, introduced an online chatbot called ChatGPT. Joe Rogan Interviews Steve Jobs (Artificial Intelligence): Hosted by a fake version of Joe Rogan, this podcast attempts to bring the late Steve Jobs’ voice using artificial intelligence. “The meandering, near-20 minute fake interview was both surreal and occasionally funny,” writes Kyle Barr. The Life We're Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World by Andy Crouch; The bestselling author Andy Crouch shows how we have been seduced by a false vision of human flourishing—and how each of us can fight back. 

In this podcast, Andy Crouch and John Mark discuss building a communal Rule of Life, the myth of 'accidental saints', and the challenges of following Jesus in a world of liquidity, algorithms, and media. They emphasize the importance of community practices, intentional discipleship, and embracing uniqueness in devotion to the way of Jesus.

Andy Crouch, author and cultural critic, discusses the breakdown of trust in society and the church, the impact of personalized technology on the soul, and the lasting disruptions leaders will face. Topics include the pandemic's metaphorical impact, the long-term consequences of trust erosion, symbolic leadership, personalization effects, and the importance of sabbatical practices for renewal.

In this insightful discussion, Andy Crouch, an author focused on the intersection of faith and technology, joins to explore what it means to remain human in an AI-driven world. They tackle the cultural impacts of AI, highlighting the need for genuine relationships amid digital interactions. Crouch emphasizes the importance of counter-cultural Christian communities that prioritize authenticity. The conversation delves into the implications of AI on human dignity and encourages listeners to thoughtfully navigate technology while fostering real connections.

Longtime friend Andy Crouch joins Curtis to talk about what it means to truly rest the way God intended us to do so. Why is rest so important to creativity? What is the difference between rest and leisure? Is binge watching Netflix actually restful? What are other key mistakes we make in approaching this vital topic? The conversation is Good Faith at its best, combining Biblical theology, cultural analysis, and practical living. Wheaton College Graduate School offers 20 excellent master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs, including flexible learning opportunities. Check out these offerings at: wheaton.edu/goodfaith.   Learn more about how our Christian faith makes sense of life and health in the MedTech world at “The Christian Stake in Bioethics Revisited” - a conference by the Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity. The conference runs from June 22-24 at the Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in suburban Chicago. You can attend via in person, online live, or on-demand recording.   Interested in financially sponsoring the Good Faith podcast as an institution or an individual? Read more about how to support Good Faith here at Redeeming Babel.  

In the quiet moments of our lives, we can all sense that our hearts long for something, though we often don’t know what that something is. We seek an answer in our phones, and while they can provide some sense of extension and fulfillment — a feeling of magic — the use of technology also comes with significant costs in individual development and interpersonal connection that we typically don’t fully understand and consider.My guest today will unpack what it is we really yearn for, how technology, when misused, can direct us away from the path to fulfilling those yearnings, and how we can find true human flourishing in a world in which so much works against it. His name is Andy Crouch and he’s the author of The Life We’re Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World. Today on the show we talk about the tradeoffs you make when you seek magic without mastery, and how we can understand our desires better once we understand ourselves as heart, soul, mind, and strength complexes who want to be loved and known. We discuss the difference between interactions that are personal versus personalized, as well as the difference between devices and instruments, and how to use your phone as the latter instead of the former. We end our conversation with why Andy thinks we need to redesign the architecture of our relational lives and create something he calls “households.”Resources Related to the PodcastFaust by Johann Wolfgang von GoetheWendell BerryAoM article on Plato’s idea of the tripartite nature of the soulAoM Podcast #723: Men Without ChestsAoM Article: The Tool Works on Both EndsAoM Article: Communities vs. Networks — To Which Do You Belong?Connect With Andy CrouchAndy’s WebsitePraxis Labs

Andy Crouch returns to the podcast to question the widespread preoccupation with “making an impact.” Andy and Curtis talk about the limitations, drawbacks, and even potential idolatry involved when institutions and individuals are so focused on this definition of success. They then explore an alternative way to conceive of Christians’ role in the world, one that is rooted in the surprising model of Jesus.   For those interested in sponsoring/supporting Good Faith: https://redeemingbabel.org/sponsorship-tiers-for-the-good-faith-podcast/

Andy Crouch questions the narrative of Western culture becoming increasingly post-Christian. He explores the decline of religious belief, the potential renewal of belief in something beyond us, and the hunger for God in Western culture. The importance of reexamining our understanding of the Gospel and deepening our hunger for God through music, nature, and relationships is also discussed.

Andy Crouch, an insightful author and speaker, dives deep into the intertwining of technology, creativity, and humanity. He breaks down the difference between tools that enhance human effort and devices that may diminish our skills. Crouch illustrates the hidden ‘innovation bargain’ where convenience can lead to a loss of capability. He also stresses the importance of genuine human taste cultivated through real experiences, cautioning against complacency with AI-generated content and the distractions of our tech-driven world.