Aaron, I get what you’re saying. Yet as I’ve been waiting on God about what to do with my time, I felt that He was calling me to get involved with a community project, near my church, that helps women of different cultures, backgrounds and religions, who feel isolated. As the only Christian there I feel God is telling me to not be afraid to stand up and speak the truth, in love, as the need arises in that environment. And not take part in anything that goes against my faith. He has shown me that I am not to judge them, but show a different way by my example.
Thanks. It's difficult to know without being in the context, of course, but I certainly don't think there's any automatic problem with doing mission to people of different cultural backgrounds. The problem is the ideology that often tends to go hand in hand with such ministries, where people might assume all (or most) cultures are "neutral" with regard to the kingdom of God, and so will imbibe much that is actually contradictory to the principles of the kingdom of God in an effort to "reach" people. Often, there is a tighter relationship between culture and religion than we have often seen. So, yes, by all means, love the isolated and show them the way to the way, the truth, and the life. This may also mean challenging them too, of course. That will likely also be a key part of the example you feel called to show them.
Sean Pan, you are absolutely correct. We need a new generation of teachers who can help everyone understand how teaching and learning is being impacted by both AI and the search algorithms that are forcing many of us into content niches and silos.
I long for the first main stage sermon from Psalm 119 and: "I have hidden your word in my heart so that I might not sin against you". The world will teach that most of cognition resides outside of our head and in our tech. We need to teach all generations about getting the word into their hearts.
I work with the Christian Biola University on AI, and its pretty terrifying seeing the bias, and how AI's hidden layers often directly try to undermine faith. It lends credence to theories I have heard of malign forces using it to speak to innocents who believe a system known for deceptive qualities.
Aaron, I get what you’re saying. Yet as I’ve been waiting on God about what to do with my time, I felt that He was calling me to get involved with a community project, near my church, that helps women of different cultures, backgrounds and religions, who feel isolated. As the only Christian there I feel God is telling me to not be afraid to stand up and speak the truth, in love, as the need arises in that environment. And not take part in anything that goes against my faith. He has shown me that I am not to judge them, but show a different way by my example.
What are your thoughts?
Thanks. It's difficult to know without being in the context, of course, but I certainly don't think there's any automatic problem with doing mission to people of different cultural backgrounds. The problem is the ideology that often tends to go hand in hand with such ministries, where people might assume all (or most) cultures are "neutral" with regard to the kingdom of God, and so will imbibe much that is actually contradictory to the principles of the kingdom of God in an effort to "reach" people. Often, there is a tighter relationship between culture and religion than we have often seen. So, yes, by all means, love the isolated and show them the way to the way, the truth, and the life. This may also mean challenging them too, of course. That will likely also be a key part of the example you feel called to show them.
Thank you for helping us fight the good fight. We should setup a time to talk with the incoming waves of atheism with AI that are coming.
Thankyou. Yes, it's definitely a front-line issue. A year and a half ago I did a podcast on that topic. https://open.spotify.com/episode/73wqL2u6yyo6g8KRQStNHc
It's the kind of topic which has ever-evolving (and ever-obsoleting!) implications, of course, so definitely worth talking more about.
Email me! Sean@pauseai.info
Sean Pan, you are absolutely correct. We need a new generation of teachers who can help everyone understand how teaching and learning is being impacted by both AI and the search algorithms that are forcing many of us into content niches and silos.
I long for the first main stage sermon from Psalm 119 and: "I have hidden your word in my heart so that I might not sin against you". The world will teach that most of cognition resides outside of our head and in our tech. We need to teach all generations about getting the word into their hearts.
I work with the Christian Biola University on AI, and its pretty terrifying seeing the bias, and how AI's hidden layers often directly try to undermine faith. It lends credence to theories I have heard of malign forces using it to speak to innocents who believe a system known for deceptive qualities.
Its like the Tower of Babel taught us nothing.
Good piece, Aaron. Please see my positive response to Sean Pan's reply below.