Is artificial intelligence just a tool — or are we slowly making it a partner in how we think, relate, and even worship?

In this episode of Thinking Christian, I sit down with Dr. Paul Hoffman — pastor, theologian, and co-author of AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep — to talk about what it means to be human in an age of accelerating technology. We explore the Imago Dei through the lens of AI, the theology of embodiment, and the very real dangers of offloading our spiritual and intellectual efforts to machines.

We also talk about how hearth habits, practical theology, and the intentional formation of Christian communities can help counteract the disintegration of relational and spiritual life in the digital age.

This is not a dystopian tech rant or a techno-optimist’s dream. It’s a pastoral, theological, and deeply human conversation about what we’re becoming — and how we might recover a more grounded, God-centered way of living.

Links:

• AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep book

• Follow Dr. Hoffman: @pastorhoffman77 (X), @pastorhoffman (Instagram/Facebook)

👀 Subscribe, review, and share this one — it’s a conversation for anyone wondering how to follow Christ in the age of ChatGPT.

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For more resources to help you grow in faith and deepen your walk with Christ, visit Useful to God—where you'll find books, courses, podcasts, and more to equip you for faithful Christian living.

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In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Nate Giarratano to unpack the rapid advance of artificial intelligence, a controversial 10-year moratorium on state regulation, and what it means for Christians navigating a tech-saturated world. From government policy and adolescent mental health to AI-generated “biblical” influencers and enhanced Olympic hopefuls, they explore what’s at stake when human identity, discernment, and spiritual formation intersect with emerging technology. Can Christians embrace innovation without outsourcing their souls? Should we fear the end—or just be faithful in the middle of it? Tune in for a nuanced, grounded, and theologically rich conversation that pulls no punches and offers a steady compass in a disoriented world.

For some of the stories and other materials referenced in the podcast, see below:

• Federal and State Disagreements on Policy (click here)
• APA Health Advisory (click here)
• Honest AI (click here)

🔗 Learn more about Useful to God: www.usefultogod.com

📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation!

For more resources to help you grow in faith and deepen your walk with Christ, visit Useful to God—where you'll find books, courses, podcasts, and more to equip you for faithful Christian living.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What does it look like to lead not just with strategy, but with soul? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer speaks with Laura Richter, executive advisor to various healthcare systems, about the quiet revolution happening in Catholic healthcare—mission integration. From executive formation rooted in Catholic social teaching to navigating ethical quandaries with theologians on call, this conversation explores how identity, tradition, and spiritual formation shape some of the largest healthcare systems in the U.S. It's a masterclass in aligning vocation with organization, purpose with practice. Protestant listeners may come away inspired—and maybe a little envious.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.