ISCAST Articles

Popular Articles

• How Can the Church Speak about AI? from Eternity News, interviewing Neil Dodgson
• Time Will Judge AI’s Ethical Implications by Gayle Woloschak
• Some Christians Believe Technology Can “Fix” Us. What Does Scripture Say? by Chris Mulherin

Academic Articles

• Imago Dei in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Opportunities for a Science-Engaged Theology by Marius Dorobantu
• God, Persons, and Machines: Theological Reflections by Brian Edgar

Academic Book Reviews

• Philip Hefner: “Human Becoming in an Age of Science, Technology, and Faith.” Jason P. Roberts, and Mladen Turk (eds.) reviewed by Blessing T. Emmanuel
• Jacob Shatzer: “Transhumanism and the Image of God” reviewed by Andrew Sloane

FaithTech Resources

FaithTech is a global tech community for Christ, existing to help people in the tech ecosystem find community and steward their skills to glorify God.

FaithTech AI Resource Page

With the advancement and accessibility of AI powered tools, it’s vital that Christians in the technology industry pray, think, reflect, and discuss how their worldview meets these changes. In this AI resource page, you’ll find articles, videos, podcasts, and books to help you engage deeper.

FaithTech Report on AI

Artificial Intelligence systems are already being used every day on the web and will only become more ubiquitous. As a system, AI is complex and often misrepresented. It categorises new information by finding patterns in previous data, and people have created surprising results using it. With oversight, AI systems may have salient applications to ministry, particularly in decision-making. Applying AI will require organisations to incorporate new technical skills and know-how. At the same time, early adopters can learn from the many challenges that AI systems have already presented. Because AI systems make decisions, Scripture has much to say about this technology—from Adam to Moses to the disciples. Decide for yourself with this report. Read the report here.

The FaithTech Playbook: Practicing Redemptive Technology

The FaithTech community believes there is a way of building technology that redemptively changes the world while transforming those who build it. This belief has led the community to develop a redemptive way of building technology products. This is a different way that examines and questions the modern practices of technology companies while adopting their most useful methodologies where they align with the way of Jesus. This playbook unpacks the ways we can be redemptive technologists, whilst proposing a uniquely biblical methodology for building technology. Get the playbook for free here.

Christian Books on AI

The Robot Will See You Now

John Wyatt

The Robot Will See You Now considers how Christians can respond to AI issues—and flourish—in the years ahead. Contributions from a number of international experts, including editors John Wyatt and Stephen Williams, explore a range of social and ethical issues raised by recent advances in AI and robotics. Considering the role of artificial intelligence in areas such as medicine, employment, and security, the book looks at how AI is perceived as well as its actual impact on human interactions and relationships. Alongside are theological responses from an orthodox Christian perspective. Buy the book here.

2084: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity

John Lennox

What will the year 2084 hold for you—for your friends, for your family, and for our society? In 2084, scientist and philosopher John Lennox will introduce you to a kaleidoscope of ideas: the key developments in technological enhancement, bioengineering, and, in particular, artificial intelligence. You will discover the current capacity of AI, its advantages and disadvantages, the facts and the fiction, as well as potential future implications. Buy the book here.

The Artifice of Intelligence: Divine and Human Relationship in a Robotic Age

Noreen L. Herzfeld

AI is becoming ubiquitous. Whatever its arrival portends for our future, whether riches or ruin, it cannot be avoided. The Artifice of Intelligence explores two questions at the heart of a theological response to AI. Is it possible for human beings to have authentic relationships with an AI? How does the increasing presence of AI change the way humans relate to one another? In pursuing answers to these questions, Herzfeld explores what it means to be created in the image of God and to create AI in our own image. Buy the book here.

Christian Books on Technology

The Life We’re Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World

Andy Crouch

Our greatest need is to be recognised—to be seen, loved, and embedded in rich relationships with the people around us. But for the last century, we’ve displaced that need with the ease of technology. In The Life We’re Looking For, bestselling author and cultural critic Andy Crouch reveals how we traded lives of rich relationship for a world of impersonal power—and how each of us can fight back. From the generosity of early Christians to the efforts of entrepreneurs working to create more humane technology, Crouch shows how we can restore true community and put people first in a world dominated by money, power, and devices. Buy the book here.

From the Garden to the City: The Place of Technology in the Story of God

John Dyer

Technology is not simply an invention of the computer age. It is, in fact, a foundational part of being human, and it extends back to the very beginning of creation. But the way we interact with it has fundamentally changed. In From the Garden to the City, John Dyer examines technological reality through the lens of Scripture, gleaning insight from the best thinkers on technology, theology, and culture. Buy the book here.

God, Technology, and the Christian Life

Tony Reinke

Many Christians remain perplexed about modern technology. As technologies multiply and life in this age becomes more complex, the questions become more stark: What does God think of human technology? In his latest book, journalist Tony Reinke addresses such hard questions head-on from the Bible. By turning to nine key passages and engaging with several theologians and thinkers, Reinke seeks to dismantle twelve common myths Christians often hold about technology, helping them understand the story of where human innovation came from and to embrace the church’s essential role in it. Buy the book here.

Analog Christian: Cultivating Contentment, Resilience, and Wisdom in the Digital Age

Jay Kim

The digital age is in the business of commodifying our attention. The technologies of our day are determined to keep us scrolling and swiping at all costs, plugged into a feedback loop of impatience, comparison, outrage, and contempt. Blind to the dangers, we enjoy its temporary pleasures, unaware of the damage to our souls. Jay Kim’s Analog Church explores the ways the digital age and its values affect the life of the church. In Analog Christian, he asks the same question of Christian discipleship. As the digital age inclines us to discontentment, fragility, and foolishness, how are followers of Jesus to respond? What is the theological basis for living in creative resistance to the forces of our day? How can Christians cultivate the contentment, resilience, and wisdom to not only survive but to thrive as we navigate the specific challenges of our age? Buy the book here.

Videos

AI & Christianity Explained: Neil Dodgson

What is AI, how will it affect our world, and how can Christians respond? AI has been in the news daily, with consistently alarming headlines. And the AI boom is far from being over. In this 12-minute video, ISCAST Executive Director Chris Mulherin interviewed Prof. Neil Dodgson to help us understand the fundamental concepts in AI, as well as the various challenges and opportunities AI is presenting, and may present, for humans. Finally, Neil comments on how Christians can contribute to a useful conversation about AI. Watch the video here.

Transhumanism, AI, Future Technologies, and Christianity: A Panel Discussion

What is it to be human in a world where ideas of science-fiction seem to be within our grasp? In this panel discussion and Q&A, Philip Batterham, Brian Edgar, and Victoria Lorrimar discuss AI, transhumanism, future technologies, and ethics and justice in these spaces. This is a recording from our “Humans of the Future” panel discussion from ISCAST’s 2023 The Scientific & Spiritual Human conference. Watch the video here.

AI & Faith

AI and Faith brings the wisdom of the world’s great religions to the discussion around the moral and ethical challenges of artificial intelligence. Its mission is to equip and encourage people of faith to bring time-tested, faith-based values, and wisdom to the ethical AI conversation. Visit the website to explore its content, events, and projects. You can also subscribe to the AI and Faith newsletter.