The Biblical Mind

When No One Reads Books Anymore

Byron Borger, owner of Hearts and Minds Bookstore speaks with Dru Johnson about literacy, theology, and the need for bookstores to cultivate the Christian imagination. 
AI Generated Takeaways
—The decline in reading and literacy rates among Americans is a concern, particularly among younger generations.—Books play a crucial role in personal growth and Christian discipleship, expanding one's understanding of the world and deepening their faith.—The power of books to inspire imagination and critical thinking is essential for engaging with complex texts, including the Bible.—Wise book recommendations that consider individual interests and readiness are important for fostering a love of reading.—Christian publishing has seen trends towards ecumenical reading, contemplative spirituality, and a commitment to social justice. Christian books should go beyond self-help and focus on worldview formation and the lordship of Christ over the life of the mind.—Christian bookstores should offer diverse book categories to cater to different interests and needs.—The rise of online marketing and the influence of Amazon have changed the publishing industry, with authors now expected to promote their own books.—Supporting local bookstores is important to maintain a human connection and receive personalized recommendations.—Physical spaces like bookstores and libraries provide opportunities for serendipitous discoveries and foster lifelong learning.—Lifelong learning is a distinctively Christian act that can be seen as an act of worship and a way to practice the presence of God.

Will AI Take Over the World (Adam Graber)

Appropriately: An AI generated summary of our conversation:
The conversation explores the influence of technology on humanity and the reciprocal relationship between the two. It discusses the impact of smartphones and identifies key technologies that have shaped the world. The balance between screen time and creativity is examined, along with the concerns and benefits of AI. The importance of foundational knowledge and skills is emphasized, as well as the need for critical evaluation of sources. The conversation also addresses the biases present in AI systems and the challenges of tracing causal links within them. The conversation explores the use of AI in data analysis and interpretation, particularly in the context of Bible study. It raises questions about the validity and limitations of using AI for interpretation and emphasizes the need for critical evaluation.
Takeaways
AI can analyze vast amounts of data and identify correlations that humans may not be able to perceive.
The use of AI for interpretation in Bible study raises questions about the validity of a statistical method of interpretation.
AI interpretation should be seen as one mode of interpretation among others, rather than a replacement for traditional methods.
The scholarly community needs to critically evaluate the use of AI for interpretation and develop educational programs to address its implications.
Chapters
01:31 The Influence of Technology on Humanity
03:26 Technology Shaping Our Experience
04:21 Examples of Technology
06:23 The Relationship Between Technology and Humanity
09:27 The Impact of Smartphones
10:48 Technologies that Have Changed the World
13:24 Balancing Screen Time and Creativity
16:09 The Concerns and Benefits of AI
19:52 The Role of AI in Creativity
25:09 The Importance of Foundational Knowledge and Skills
27:48 The Biases of AI Systems
31:34 The Human Element in AI Systems
36:26 The Need for Critical Evaluation of Sources
39:43 The Human Bias in AI Systems
40:26 The Concerns about Tracing Causal Links in AI
41:29 AI and Data Analysis
42:27 Statistical Method of Interpretation
43:57 Critically Evaluating AI Interpretation

Scripture, Sexuality, and Podcasting (Preston Sprinkle)

In the first half of this episode, Dru Johnson talks with Preston Sprinkle about his journeys into the LGBTQ+ communities, theologies, and conversations and the psychological research in that field. He also discusses his convictions about biblical views on sexuality that emerged from this quest.
In the second half of this episode, Preston and Dru talk about the theology (and ecclesiology) of podcasting itself. Who should and should not be doing it, and what cautions should they be employing.
Audio editing by Nate Spanos.

Why We Need the Global Church (Stephen T. Pardue)

In this episode, we discuss Stephen T. Pardue's newest book Why Evangelical Theology Needs the Global Church.

Are Psychedelics Good for Depression, or Anything at All? (Ben ”Doc” Askins) [Full Episode]

Audio editing (and strategic bleeping) by John Viinalass.
In the first half of this extra long episode:We discuss the strange biography of Ben "Doc" Askins, from combat medic to seminary student to Army physician's assistant (PA) to Psychiatric PA researching psychedelic medicine and trauma. 
 
In the second half of this extra long episode:
We discuss if there is an appropriate roll for various drugs, including psychedelics and MDMA, in assisting the dying, integrating traumas, and more. We also figure out what a "bad trip" on LSD might be. 

Why Is Leviticus so Hard to Read? (Dr. Jay Sklar)

A Bend in the Road for TBM and CHT, and Farewell Celina!

The Biblical Mind and the Center for Hebraic Thought are entering a new phase after ending a formal partnership with The King’s College. Additionally, CHT director of operations and TBM editor Celina Durgin will leave her position at the center on July 28, 2023.
In this mini episode, Dru and Celina provide a bit more context, and Celina bids the CHT goodbye and shares a little about where she's going next.
The Biblical Mind magazine and podcast will keep publishing during this transition, though less frequently and regularly than it had been until recently. The CHT’s other partnerships and affiliations will be unaffected. We hope and pray for a new partnership to allow the CHT to emerge from its period of dormancy and resume full programming in the coming months. Thank you for continuing to follow us.

QAnon, Conspiracy Theories, and the Church (Michael W. Austin)

Dr. Michael W. Austin is a Professor of Philosophy at Eastern Kentucky University, an author, and a speaker. He has published 12 books; most recently, he co-edited and contributed to QAnon, Chaos, and the Cross: Christianity and Conspiracy Theories.
Most of his teaching, writing, and speaking is focused on ethical questions related to character and human flourishing. He believes that philosophy has much to offer us, in our individual, social, and spiritual lives. For many years, he's also been a speaker for the Kentucky Humanities Council, and he contributes to a blog for Psychology Today, “Ethics for Everyone.” 

’Fireside’ Chat: Distance between Seminaries and Churches (Matt LaPine)

Dru enjoys a more casual conversation with Matthew A. LaPine (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School), pastor of theological development at Cornerstone Church and lecturer at Salt School of Theology (Ames, Iowa). Their chat covers theological and pastoral education, considering the in-house models of megachurches and the ways in which seminary can be disconnected from the reality of church life.

Is ’Systemic Injustice’ Biblical? (Michael Rhodes)

Terms like "systemic sin" or "structural injustice" immediately make many people think of contemporary ideologies that they either strongly embrace or strongly oppose, such as socialism or the much-discussed (but poorly understood) critical race theory. These charged terms are often employed in vague or unhelpful ways.
The Bible has many examples of sin and injustice that are not purely individual—of evil that is bigger than the sum of the evildoers, and iniquity that reverberates through generations. How can we think more clearly and biblically about the nature of evil and injustice? Sin is many things in Scripture: an action, an identity, an agent or power, and the brokenness of structures and systems. People err when they don't grasp the Bible's full, complex picture of sin.
Michael Rhodes (PhD, Trinity College Bristol/University of Aberdeen) is a Lecturer in Old Testament at Carey Baptist College. He is an ordained minister in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, author of Formative Feasting: Practices and Virtue Ethics in the Deuteronomic Tithe Meal and Corinthian Lord’s Supper (2022), and co-author of Practicing the King’s Economy: Honoring Jesus in How We Work, Earn, Spend, Save, and Give.
Show notes:
00:26 Unjust kings don't act alone; the state is more than the sum of its parts
06:46 The positive side: people were created to be mediators of God's blessing
12:34 English hides the second-person plural
14:32 The structures of society create incentives and disincentives for behaviors
15:38 Intergenerational sin in Scripture
18:14 People's inconsistent resistance to the idea of systemic injustice and sin
22:49 What is sin? It's both individual and communal, personal and systemic
31:10 Is this leaning toward socialism or critical race theory?
41:06 Cornel West for president?
41:56 Exercising power faithfully in different kinds political, economic, and cultural contexts
43:48 Paradigmatic depictions of God's kingdom should be announced and emulated in the church
Show notes by Celina Durgin