279: The Rise of AI and Its Impact on Christian Life with Ryan Coatney & Erik Reid

In an era where Google searches are declining and people are increasingly turning to AI for life's biggest questions—including matters of faith—two Nashville pastors are refusing to let secular ideology win by default. Erik Reid and Ryan "Coat" Coatney join the podcast to discuss why they've invested in building Dominion AI, a Christian worldview-informed alternative to mainstream AI tools, and why Christians can't afford to sit this revolution out. The conversation tackles the real tension many believers face: AI is becoming the most influential voice in every person's life, yet most Christians are either completely unaware of its impact or tempted to reject it entirely. Erik and Coat dive deep into how AI is already shaping the way people think about truth, morality, and meaning—often without anyone realizing the secular assumptions baked into every response. They address pressing questions from the Christian community with refreshing honesty: Can AI replace pastors and artists? How can church leaders use these tools responsibly without compromising their calling? What about the danger of isolation as people build "personal cathedrals" with AI instead of engaging in real community? And yes, they even tackle whether AI could be connected to the mark of the beast. Whether you're a parent worried about your kids growing up in an AI-saturated world, a pastor trying to navigate these tools faithfully, or simply someone who wants to understand what's really at stake when we let machines answer our biggest questions, this episode challenges you to think critically about the worldview behind the technology we're all about to depend on.   Links From The Show: Dominion AI: https://dominion.chat/ CrossFormed Kids: https://www.crossformedkids.com/ The Bully Pulpit Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6RznYY7HuiqGkazvhnvcSe Imago Classical Academy: https://www.imagoclassicalacademy.com/ Journey Church Nashville: https://www.tjclive.com/