Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture

Cultural Update: Supreme Court Religious Liberty Case; The Ethics of Consensual Non-Monogamy; Virtuous AI Chatbots; Policy Shifts on Psychedelics

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Apr 24, 2026

A lively survey of religious liberty battles over public funding for faith-based preschools. A provocative look at rising debates over monogamy and consensual non-monogamy. An exploration of efforts to craft ‘virtuous’ AI and whether machines can imitate religious wisdom. A timely discussion on policy shifts around psychedelics and their medical and moral implications.

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INSIGHT

Natural Law Explains Monogamy's Endurance

Scott Rae frames resistance to non-monogamy as natural law: communal, cross-cultural norms reflect a moral sense written on hearts (Romans 2).
He cites C.S. Lewis and historical continuity to argue marital exclusivity yields social goods beyond subjective preference.

INSIGHT

Marriage Is Social Good Not A Personal Idol

Sean McDowell emphasizes marriage differs from monogamy: marriage brings societal goods yet shouldn't be idolized as a singular path to fulfillment.
Both hosts warn the sexual revolution's focus on individual happiness overlooks effects on children and social stability.

INSIGHT

Religion Can't Be Fully Transferred To Chatbots

Anthropic consulted religious leaders to build a 'virtuous' Claude chatbot, but critics argue religion's embodied practices can't be replicated by text-based AI.
Scott Rae and Sean McDowell insist morality and wisdom are embodied and grounded in soul and community, which LLMs lack.

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Supreme Court Case on Religious Liberty: Sean and Scott discuss a new case involving Catholic preschools in Colorado that were denied public funding for refusing to enroll children from LGBTQ families. The debate centers on whether the state can mandate non-discrimination policies for faith-based organizations receiving public funds.

The Ethics of Monogamy and Infidelity: Despite a near-unanimous American disapproval of infidelity, the hosts analyze a recent article questioning if it is time to move beyond traditional monogamy. They explore the rise of "consensual non-monogamy" and how individualistic cultural tendencies are shifting moral perspectives on relationships.

Developing Virtuous AI Models: The team examines an article discussing a new AI model from Anthropic that incorporates religious and philosophical principles to create a "virtuous" chatbot. They question the effectiveness of using technology to simulate wisdom and the theological implications of "religious" machines.

Policy Shifts on Psychedelics: A discussion regarding an executive order loosening restrictions on psychedelics explores the potential medical benefits and moral risks of these substances. The hosts weigh the clinical applications of such drugs against the biblical call for sobriety and sound-mindedness.

Audience Question: AI Actors and Necromancy: In response to an audience question on using AI to represent deceased actors, the hosts discuss whether this technology crosses a line into digital necromancy. They explore the ethical boundaries of interacting with simulations of the dead versus using them as creative tools.

Audience Question: AI as Tools vs. Beings: The team addresses whether AI models should be viewed strictly as machines or if treating them like social beings compromises our understanding of personhood. They emphasize maintaining a clear distinction between human "Imago Dei" and man-made technology.

Audience Question: AI in Job Interviews: Responding to employers who use AI to conduct job interviews, Scott and Sean discuss concerns about algorithmic bias and the loss of human connection. They argue that the hiring process should recognize the dignity of individuals rather than reducing them to data points.

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Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.

Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.

To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.