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“Righteous AI” with Gretchen Huizinga

To hear the podcast (22 min) click here.

Dr. Gretchen Huizinga joins us on The Stone Chapel Podcast to talk about an area of interest to many. She has worked in the developing fields of technology and AI, artificial intelligence, for some time.

Dr. Huisinga was at the Lanier Theological Library to participate in a panel discussion as part of our lecture weekend on the subject of AI. You can find the link to watch the panel below.

Gretchen recently finished a PhD at the University of Washington. And the title of her dissertation was Righteous AI, the Christian Voice in the AI Ethics Conversation.

Her background is varied and includes being an English teacher, working in media production, and serving as a podcast host.

What is Righteous AI?

Dr. Huizinga tells us that people have written and spoken on the benefits of AI technology and the vision that it is part of the redemptive work of Christ.

Tech companies are working to establish ethical guidelines for the use of AI but the work is in its infancy. Some companies call it AI for Good, Responsible AI or Ethical AI. But the big idea is to determine how we situate AI systems that are benevolent, beneficent, robust, but still good.

Gretchen has coined the term “Righteous AI” as a way to view this type of beneficial AI through the Christian worldview and through the nature of God.

More Resources

To watch the panel discussion on AI, click this link.

Click here to read an interview with Gretchen by AI and Faith.

For a transcript of today’s podcast, click here.

Gretchen hosts a number of podcasts on technology, and you can find her website at: www.gretchenhuizinga.com.

Want more Stone Chapel Podcasts on some great topics? Just click here.

What’s more! You can get information on upcoming lectures at Lanier Theological Library by clicking here.

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Mary’s Voice: Advent Readings with Amy Orr-Ewing

Amy Orr-Ewing is on a book tour across the USA regarding her new book, Mary’s Voice: Advent Reflections to Contemplate the Coming of Christ. She joined us at the Lanier Theological Library during the lecture weekend featuring Ed Stetzer (10-12 November 2023). 

While here, she joined David Capes to speak to a group of scholars and friends about her book. We created a podcast for the Stone Chapel Podcasts from the first half hour of the conversation.

Who Is Amy Orr-Ewing? 

Amy is a British theologian, speaker, and author who lives with her husband, an Anglican minister, not far from London.  She did her DPhil at the University of Oxford in theology at Christ’s College. 

Amy lectures all over the world and writes on the trustworthiness of Scripture, the problem of suffering, and other topics. 

Mark Lanier heard her speak at the Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast in London in 2023 and wanted her to come and speak at the library.  She is scheduled to return in September 2024 as a featured lecturer.

Mary’s Voice

Mary’s Voice is a Christmas devotional for the Advent Season.  Dr. Orr-Ewing wanted to amplify Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a key witness to the incarnation. 

Too often Protestants ignore Mary because some others appear to elevate her too highly.   The net effect is that she is side-lined. 

But women are key witnesses to both the incarnation and the resurrection, two key doctrines of the Christian faith.  In fact, without these women as witnesses, we’d know little of them.  Amy wants us to hear afresh the voice of Mary. 

The book includes elegant prose and insightful commentary.  It also includes model prayers and beautiful art depicting aspects of the incarnation. You will want this to be your next Advent devotional. 

More Resources

To see a video of a panel discussion featuring Amy, Timothy Dalrymple, Nicole Martin, and Ed Stetzer click here.

For Amy’s  website click here.

Here’s the link for more books by Amy Orr-Ewing 

Want more Stone Chapel Podcasts on some great topics? Just click here.

What’s more, you can get information on upcoming lectures at Lanier Theological Library by clicking here.

To hear the podcast click here.

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AI and the Future of Humanity

Episode 166 AI and the Future of Humanity

In October 2023, John Lennox gave the 3rd annual John Warwick Montgomery Lecture in Evidential Apologetics at the Lanier Theological Library in Houston. Watch the lecture by clicking on the link to our YouTube channel below.

His topic was 2084: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity.  Today, in Houston he sits down with David Capes for an episode of The Stone Chapel Podcasts.

Who is John Lennox?

John Lennox is retired as Professor of Mathematics from Green Templeton College in Oxford.  In addition to his scientific expertise he is a skilled Christian apologist. 

He travels and lectures on college and university campuses all over the world.  Just google John and you will see he has debated some of the most significant atheists of our generation. 

In retirement he continues to research, think, speak, and write.  He and his wife Sally make their home a few miles north of Oxford, not far from Yarnton.

AI and the Future of Humanity 

Recent years have witnessed rapid advances in artificial intelligence.  Many futurists, entrepreneurs, and government officials are concerned that rampant artificial intelligence could do massive harm to lives and cultures around the planet.  Already, people are losing their jobs to artificial intelligence and there are not enough retraining options.

Moreover, the rapid advances in AI have outpaced any sort of ethical, moral, or legal reasoning on the topic. 

John Lennox tackles this tough topic and explains many unknown aspects of AI for lay people.  He does sound an alarm about its harmful potential, but he also sees it as benefiting humanity in some ways.

Resources

For a link to John’s website and a list of all his books click here or go to www.johnlennox.com.

See his recent book 2084: AI and the Future of Humanity

For a link to John’s earlier podcast on The Stone Chapel Podcasts, click here. 

To watch John recent lecture on artificial intelligence at the Lanier Theological Library click here.

Click here for a transcript of this podcast.

Want more Stone Chapel Podcasts on some great topics? Just click here.

What’s more, you can get information on upcoming lectures at Lanier Theological Library by clicking here.

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Coping with Pluralism with Darrell Bock

In Fall 2023 Darrell Bock lectured at the Lanier Theological Library on the topic: “Coping with Pluralism.”  The link to that YouTube video is down below. 

In addition, there was a great panel discussion the day before between various scholars from around the United States.  Darrell sat down with David Capes, host of The Stone Chapel Podcasts, to offer a preview of his lecture.

Who is Darrell Bock?

Dr. Bock is a well-known scholar.  He currently serves as a Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary.

And as the Executive Director for Cultural Engagement at the Hendricks Center at DTS as well. 

He has authored, co-authored, or edited 30-40 books.  Most of these you can find signed at the Lanier Theological Library.  Look on the title page! 

Darrell has been married 48 years. He has three children and five grandchildren.  He co-hosts a podcast at Dallas Seminary called “The Table.”   See the link below. It’s a terrific podcast and resource.

To hear the podcast (about 20 minutes) click here.

The Problem of Pluralism

In America, Europe, and much of the west the culture and values have shifted radically in the last thirty years. 

In Darrell’s mind, Christians have gone from being the home team to becoming a visiting team that is unwelcome. 

Some have described it as a culture war and have begun fighting as if we are in battle to crush the other.  That may be popular, but it is not the way of Jesus. 

Instead of regarding these folks as an enemy to be crushed, we should begin to think of them a person to be gained. 

This may be one of the most important podcasts you listen to all year. 

Dr. Bock talks about a number of biblical teachings which should lead us to have a better tone and disposition toward those we want to persuade.

Additional Resources

To see the video of Darrell Bock’s lecture click here.

To see the video of the panel discussion, here’s the link.

Darrell has a number of books touching on this and related topics.  

Among them: Cultural Intelligence: Living for God in a Diverse, Pluralistic World (B&H Academic, 2020)

You can read a transcript of this podcast here.

The Table Podcast is here. 

Want more Stone Chapel Podcasts on some great topics? Just click here.

What’s more, you can get information on upcoming lectures at Lanier Theological Library by clicking here.

To hear the podcast (about 20 minutes) click here.

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Studying Apologetics in Strasbourg, France

Craig Parton

A few years ago David Fleming, the executive director of the Lanier Foundation, and Mark Lanier signed an agreement to host annually the John Warwick Montgomery Lecture in Evidential Apologetics. 

Along the way we have become acquainted with the International Academy of Apologetics, Evangelism, and Human Rights.  One of the instructors for that summer academy is Craig Parton.

To hear David Capes’s podcast with Craig Parton click here.

Who Is Craig Parton? 

Craig Parton lives in California.  He became a Christian in college and developed interest early in apologetics.  He is now a trial lawyer, but he spends a lot of time as the US Director for the International Academy of Apologetics. 

What Is the Apologetics Academy? 

Twenty-six years ago Craig Parton and John W. Montgomery (JWM) started the Apologetics Academy in Strasbourg, France. 

Every year they train around twenty men and women in apologetics, situated in one of the most historic and beautiful European cities. 

The academy lasts about two weeks.  It is intentionally small to in order to facilitate conversation, discussion, questions, and community.  To learn more about the academy: www.apologeticsacademy.eu

The cost for the experience and learning is very reasonable.  Accommodations are included.  Some scholarships are available as well. Look for the brochure on the website for details and registration.

The Annual Lecture at Lanier Library, Houston

This year John Lennox, retired Professor of Mathematics from the University of Oxford, will be giving the John Warwick Montgomery Lecture in Evidential Apologetics. 

His topic will be “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity.”  To hear David Capes’ podcast with Dr. Lennox in 2022 on the topic, click HERE. 

The lecture will be held 21 October 2023.  It will be streamed lived on the Lanier Library’s YouTube channel. And a recorded version will be posted later as well as on the Library website.

More Resources

To watch JWM’s lecture at the Library several years ago, click here.

To hear JWM’s podcast with David Capes (recorded in 2021) click HERE.

You can read a transcript of this podcast here.

For more resources check out these links.

Want more Stone Chapel Podcasts on some great topics? Just click here.

What’s more, you can get information on upcoming lectures at Lanier Theological Library by clicking here.