One of the most powerful privileges you and I have as Christians is the ability, no matter who we are or where we live, to encourage one another through prayer, Truth and love. You’re likely aware of the contentious conversations happening both inside and outside the Church on Critical Race Theory and “wokeness” in America today. This issue is sharply dividing many people, so please join me in prayer over this polarizing conflict, asking God to do the following: Unify... Read more
It is difficult to have good conversations today. Sometimes, conversations can be nearly impossible if participants are so committed to their worldview that they cannot look beyond themselves to find common ground. As social media continues to exacerbate the polarization of politics and ideology, conflict—as well as sheer arrogance and dismissal—have become almost expected when engaging with people of different beliefs. While this is a sad reality, we at Premier recognize the command for Christians to live out their faith,... Read more
In his recent blog Erik Strandness discussed the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI) in the hands of fallen humans. In this second blog reflecting on Nick Bostrom and Rosalind Picard’s Big Conversation on Unbelievable? he examines how AI has been used as an alternate creation myth and an integral part of the transhumanist movement. I find it interesting that scientists, confronted with cosmological fine-tuning, biological information and irreducible complexity, find it necessary to invoke a primal intelligence behind it all. However,... Read more
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a hot topic in recent years. The dramatic increase in the capability of digital technology has made our lives easier but has also raised important philosophical, ethical, and theological questions. Sadly, as with most innovations, humans dive in before asking, how deep is the water? Episode two of the current season of The Big Conversation plumbed those depths by featuring a discussion between Prof Nick Bostrom, director of the Future of Humanity Institute at Oxford... Read more
Esther O’Reilly says The Big Conversation between Douglas Murray and N.T. Wright has lessons for both atheists and Christians. Douglas Murray’s old vicar isn’t sure what to say. Over post-service coffee, he feels like this is his cue to say something. But what? He clears his throat. “I don’t like to ask. I mean it really isn’t my business.” “It,” meaning Douglas’s deconversion from Christianity, which by now has become public knowledge. The vicar admits this after some gentle prodding,... Read more
Is it possible for a movement as large as Christianity to arise by a historical sleight of hand? Unbelievable? featured a fascinating debate between atheist hypnotist Zach Pincince and Christian illusionist Bryan Drake over whether or not Christianity is a trick of the mind. While the subject matter wasn’t your typical apologetic fare, it was nonetheless an important topic of discussion. We can make all sorts of profound philosophical and historical arguments for the truth of Christianity, but maybe we... Read more
A few days after listening to The Big Conversation episode on the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and humanity featuring Nick Bostrom and Rosalind Picard, I happened upon the oldest of the Psalms, chapter 90, in which Moses gives an on-point contribution to nearly every topic covered in Justin Brierley’s interview. An “unbelievable” coincidence? Curiosity drove me to replay the audio and read the passage and its cross-references. As all big conversations should do, I found further correlation and new... Read more
Savvas Costi writes: Given our natural survival impulse, you might expect most people to welcome the prospect of being able to live forever. However, this wasn’t the response of Jean-Luc in the latest instalment of the Star Trek franchise. By the end of series one of Star Trek: Picard, (spoiler alert!) he asks in alarm: “You haven’t made me immortal!?”. This is one of a number of themes explored in the latest Big Conversation between Professor Nick Bostrom and another Picard, not... Read more
Unbelievable? the conference is coming up on May 15th and the theme is ‘How to tell the greatest story ever told’. The conference will bring together a distinguished group of theologians, historians and apologists to help us better understand the revolutionary nature of the story of an incarnate, crucified and resurrected God, and why the world so desperately needs to hear it. However, before we educate people on how to be better storytellers we must first ask ourselves if ‘story’... Read more
Richard Dawkins is one of the most controversial proponents of the New Atheism. His best-selling book, The God Delusion, was instrumental in popularizing academic criticisms of religion. While he angers some Christians, he has recently become somewhat of an embarrassment to parts of the atheist community because of comments he has made on social media. A once highly sought-after speaker capable of drawing large crowds, he now finds himself persona non grata in both academic and public circles as evidenced... Read more
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