Technology
AI Jesus can only give you fast-food wisdom. I prefer the real thing
A hologram of Jesus claims to be able to impart wisdom to visitors at St Peter’s Chapel in Lucerne, Switzerland. Christians should be cautious about our creeping dependence on AI, says Chris Goswami
This suicide pod is horrific. But it’s the logical result of our consumer society
Assisted suicide is the ultimate expression of individualism, says Tony Wilson. But we can’t control all aspects of our lives, and Christians have good reasons to surrender their wants and desires to God
#TradCath: Why Gen Z rebellion means converting to Catholicism
Samantha Smith’s return to the faith of her childhood was, in part, encouraged by the traditional Catholic influencers she found online. She explores why young people are drawn to them
The Way UK’s Jesse Fellingham: Celebrity, self-doubt and going viral for Jesus
The son of worship leader Lou Fellingham has amassed a huge following on social media – and it’s all in the name of evangelism. He opens up about insecurity, getting his mum into gigs and why it’s OK to fail
Why your smartphone might be stopping you from following Jesus
The evidence is clear: mobile phones are turning us into an anxious generation. But they could also be hampering your discipleship
Targeted ads are luring Christians away from their churches. It needs to stop
As accusations emerge that large churches are using geofencing in an attempt to poach Christians from smaller congregations, Joe Gallant says we should be reaching the lost, not preaching to the converted
Let down your (inter)nets! Sharing the gospel on social media is worth the risk
‘God’s Influencer’ Carlo Acutis, is tipped to become the first millennial saint. Rev Chris Lee reflects on visiting his shrine, and why sharing the gospel online is worth navigating the pitfalls
5 ways Christians can dodge the dopamine cartels
An viral essay by historian Ted Giola says we need to act now if we want to save art and culture from the dopamine rush that is enslaving us all.
The Church is taking on AI, here’s how
Following this week’s AI Global Summit, which is being hosted at Bletchley Park, Chris Goswami looks at how Christian leaders are responding to the threats and opportunities posed by artificial intelligence
What happened when I tried texting Jesus…
Chine McDonald wasn’t sure about an AI chatbot based on Jesus Christ. Here’s how she got on
The Musk vs Zuckerberg cage fight is preposterous. Jesus is the ultimate leader
As the rumours of a physical fight between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg persist, Sam Brown reflects of a better model of leadership that doesn’t involve preening and posturing like schoolboys in the yard
AI can write a great sermon. But should you use it?
As a church in Germany engineers an entire service run by AI, Tim Wyatt speaks to experts in technology and ethics to find out whether Christians should be using tools such as ChatGPT within their ministry
Intentional interruptions - Jonathan Thomas
This excellent book has something for everyone, says our reviewer
The Bible App has transformed our engagement with scripture. Do we still need physical Bibles?
As the world’s most successful Bible app turns 15, Chris Goswami chats with YouVersion’s CEO to find out how the technology is changing our discipleship
Help! I’m a worship leader whose job is threatened by robots
I’ll be honest. Until now, I’ve felt a little smug about the rise of Artificial Intelligence.
AI can run a church service or it might end the world. But it can’t replicate God’s divine love
As a consortium of AI experts warn of the risk of human extinction at the hands of AI, hundreds attended a church service in Germany generated and hosted by ChatGPT. How should Christians view such things, asks George Pitcher? Can we find a theology of AI?
10 tips on social media…brought to you by the Pope
The Vatican has released a dense 20-page document on how Christians should approach social media. Rev Peter Crumpler distils the highlights
AI will probably preach the best sermon you’ve ever heard
Artificial Intelligence is here to stay, says Andy du Feu. The onus is on us, as Christians, to get to grips with the moral, ethical and spiritual implications. Here’s his top three tips for engaging in this brave new world
Pope Francis in a white puffer is fake news – but what happens when we can no longer trust what we see?
Advances in artificial intelligence mean images can be manipulated so that we can no longer trust what we see, hear or read. As the recent fake photo of Pope Francis shows, Christians must be on guard for misinformation
Chat GPT: The biggest leap forward in AI is changing everything. Here’s what it means for your church
Are we ready for robot-generated sermons, prayers and worship songs? Chris Goswami investigates
Can Chat GPT lead someone to Christ? We put the machine through its spiritual paces…
It’s the AI software everyone is talking about. It can write essays, impersonate famous people and even give you personalised poetry. But can Chat GPT offer any of its millions of users spiritual wisdom? Our editor put the machine to the test
4 tech trends that will impact your life and faith in 2023
Christians have nothing to fear and everything to gain from the latest tech, says Chris Goswami. He explores the four biggest trends and explains what they may mean for society and the Church in the year ahead
Editor’s picks: 15 best features from 2022
Premier Christianity has been at the forefront of unpacking all the big stories of 2022 from a distinctly Christian perspective. Here’s a round-up of our favourite long-reads the year
Distracted by your smartphone? This is the book you’re looking for
Andy Crouch doesn’t advocate ditching your electronic gadgets. We just need to use them differently, he says
Cryptomania explained: What Christians need to consider before investing in Bitcoin
Bitcoin is here to stay – but what exactly is it? How does it work? And should Christians invest?
Dear Facebook, death threats are morally repugnant - even in war
Whatever we think of Putin and the invasion of Ukraine, Jesus calls us to love our enemy, not wish death upon them.
Can social media win the battle against Russia’s ‘dezinformatsiya’?
There's a battle for truth being waged, says Pete Phillips.
Christian leaders have shared fake news about Ukraine on social media. Here's how to avoid being caught out
Misleading social media posts about the Ukranian conflict are proliferating, and Christians are being caught out. Steve Cox explains how you can verify before pressing the 'share' button
Elon Musk: Everything you need to know about the tech genius who loves Jesus' teachings
The founder of PayPal, Tesla and SpaceX is on a mission to save the human race from extinction. Tim Bechervaise looks at what the Church can learn from this most unusual of entrepreneurs
Technology can 'resurrect' your dead loved one. Would you talk to them?
Artificial Intelligence is already being used to mimic the dead. If you could chat online to a loved one who had died, would you?
The Church has benefited from Facebook. But should we embrace Zuckerberg’s Metaverse?
Is the recent Facebook rebrand just a business decision? And what exactly is a metaverse anyway? Our head of digital theology answers your questions
Banning online anonymity is a seriously bad idea, and could jeopardise our freedom to share the gospel
In the wake of the tragic murder of Sir David Amess, some politicians have suggested ending the ability to be anonymous online. But requiring individuals to verify their identity won’t end online abuse, and it could even put persecuted Christians at risk
What on earth is God doing in Europe? Quite a bit, says this new report
Jim Memory explores the crucial issues and trends which are shaping the context for Christian mission in Europe today
Why Facebook’s ‘I prayed’ button contradicts Jesus’ teaching
The social media giant is rolling out an ‘I prayed’ button. While some Christians have welcomed the news, Abigail Howe is worried the feature gives users a misleading impression of what prayer is all about
You don't have to choose between onsite and online. The Church's future is hybrid
As lockdown eases, and onsite church services return, leaders have every reason to carry on investing in digital, says Dr Pete Phillips as he launches Premier's new Hybrid Church Charter
Meet the viral vicar who reaches millions on TikTok
When Rev Anne Beverley started making TikTok vidoes for the seven young people in her church, she did not expect to become an internet sensation
Distracted to death: why screens are harming your faith
We spend two and a half hours on social media and more than three hours watching TV every day. We need to fight the distractions if we want to follow Jesus, says Rick Hill
Professor Rosalind Picard: ‘I used to think religious people had thrown their brains out the window’
A leading expert in Artificial Intelligence talks about her faith journey, life-saving technology and being a woman in science.
What porn users need to know
It isn’t just Christians who are campaigning against online porn. Shocking revelations about the industry are causing those outside of the Church to take action too
In too deep
Megan Cornwell explores the implications associated with DeepFakes: the dangerous new technology making fake news even more convincing
Christians are falling out of love with online church. Here are 4 ways to reignite the spark
When digital church attendance sky-rocketed four months ago, some wondered whether revival might be around the corner. But today, leaders are reporting a decline in viewing figures. Digital church expert Chris Bright explains how we can get back on track
How online church points us to heaven
As we long for the ‘real thing’ on Sundays, perhaps God is showing us that we should feel that longing all the time, says Jonathan Saunders
The boom in online church attendance is good. But it’s not enough
Many churches are reporting huge increases in the numbers of people tuning into their Sunday services. But while the statistics appear to be encouraging, David Taylor says caution is needed
Why turning off your camera is the key to online empathy
Worn out by video calls? HTB's pastoral chaplain Rev Will Van Der Hart explains the science behind the problem
Online church is a necessity. But I don't have to like it
Physical presence matters, says Tim Gough, as he responds to what he believes is "cavalier theology" regarding online church services
10 things you should do differently when preaching online
John Willison pastors an evangelical church in Shanghai, China. As the country has been in lockdown in recent weeks, he's been forced to modify his preaching style in order to best connect with his congregation. Here are some of the lessons he's learned
Holographics, automation and digital debt: 6 ways the Church will look different in 2040
Futurist Mal Fletcher considers how Christians will be living in 20 years
6 ways digital tech is transforming the Christian life
On Sunday, worshipers at Exeter Cathedral were invited to play a video game. The unusual feature was designed to encourage "contemplations on the depths of Jonah." Premier's new head of Digital Theology, Pete Philips says the service is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how Christians are utilising all the opportunities that digital technology affords. In this link-tastic blog, Pete recommends some of the best of what's on offer
How to live out your Christian faith online...without getting fired
PR consultant David Taylor believes some organisations are implementing social media policies which make life difficult for Christian employees who want to share their faith online. Here, he provides seven tips to take note of
Social media is a subhuman environment. Here are 3 ways Christians can fix it
The academic vice principal at Moorlands College Andy du Feu explains why he believes social media platforms attack our humanity, and suggests how Christians can help change the culture
6 things I learned by not posting on social media for a month
Leanne Halls ditched Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for four weeks. Here's what she learned
A new industrial revolution is coming and the Church must not be silent
James Mildred says churches need to start discussing the implications of Artificial Intelligence before it's too late
Stop blaming social media for loneliness. The real problem is family breakdown
According to recent reports in the media, the UK is facing a loneliness epidemic and social media is to blame. But CARE's Nola Leach has a different perspective. She explains why we should each take a look much closer to home
Christians are in danger of becoming digital Pharisees, here’s how to avoid bigotry online
Premier’s political editor, Martyn Eden, says recent events have led to an outpouring of acrimonious opinion online. He explains that Christians who communicate with a tone of arrogance in online debate risk being dismissed as religious bigots
Social media is the most sophisticated propaganda machine ever created
Cambridge Analytica, a firm whose social media strategies helped Donald Trump to win the Presidential Election, is under fire for overstepping the mark and harvesting information from 50 million Facebook profiles without the users’ knowledge or consent. The episode has sparked a debate about the power that big tech companies hold in the modern world. But according to Guy Brandon, the biggest surprise is that we find this news surprising
Like it or not, you are not your social media
As a new study says children need better emotional support when using social media, Claire Musters says there can be damaging effects on adults too
Why tech free Sundays saved my family
Is your family's digital diet out of control? Mark Ellis explains what happened when he began 'tech-free Sundays'
Pity Eugene Peterson, the latest victim of social media's theology wars
Sam Hailes interviewed Eugene Peterson shortly before his remarks on gay marriage caused controversy.
Digital disciples
Is meeting together online a valid expression of church? Joe Ogborn investigates
Thinking of doing a social media fast? Here's what its like
Three Christians share what happened when they gave up Facebook, Twitter and other social media for forty days in the run up to Easter
Life inside the bubble: How to escape your social media echo chamber
Were you shocked by the Brexit vote or the US election result? If so, you could be living in an online echo chamber. Lucy Mills explains how to break out
6 ways to protect your privacy online – and why it matters
Why should Christians care about online privacy? Guy Brandon explains
5 ways to stop technology ruling your life
We can't escape technology. But we should manage our time on it. Professor Maggi Savin-Baden shares some tips
Why you need to take a digital detox this summer
J John explains why we all need to switch off over the coming weeks and months
Confessions of a church tech guy
Chris Goswami explains what goes through his mind when the church laptop dies 6 minutes before the Sunday morning service.
I gave up social media for Lent and...
Three Christians share what happened when they gave up Facebook, Twitter and other social media for forty days in the run up to Easter
I attended an online church, here’s what happened
Everyday Church, a London based UK church has launched an experimental ‘online congregation’. Could this be the future? Sam Hailes logged on to see what church in the digital age might look like
10 commandments for social media
These commandments are not canonical, not inspired and not particularly qualified in any way. But then neither is 98% of the other advice online, so here goes...
My online dating experiment
A few months ago, we asked Carrie Lloyd to delve into the world of online dating. She reveals what it takes for a single Christian woman to hook up via cyberspace.
The Gospel according to Minecraft
Minecraft, a simple construction video game, is sweeping the globe. Why is it so popular, and should we be concerned that millions of people are choosing to spend more time in the game than outside it?
The church of the digital age
It can feel impossible to keep up with technological advances. But for the sake of the gospel, we have to try…
Life online
Not convinced about the Internet as a discipleship tool? Check out our guide to the best Christian websites out there...
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