Masala Chai Theology: Bonhoeffer, AI & Liberation Theology with Dr. Jon Coutts

Hey friends - I wanted to introduce to you my dear friend - Canadian theologian and pastor, Dr. Jon Coutts who is teaching some fascinating courses on Dietrich Bonhoeffer and AI’s connexus with Empire / Authoritarianism at St. Stephen’s University’s (SSU) Summer School program this Summer - two timely courses for our time that are sure to open up your worlds!SSU Summer School is online and open to anyone who wants to audit or take a class for graduate level credit. Do watch this conversation and sign up here whenever you’re ready.Here are the course descriptions for the two courses:Theology in Turmoil: The Life and Thought of Dietrich BonhoefferThis is a study of the theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer as it grew against the grain of early twentieth century German nationalism and American racism. Through lectures and text discussions, students will learn about Bonhoeffer’s historical context and his political theology, thereby enabling them to consider how they engage the world today.DATES: MAY 17 – AUGUST 8, 2026A.I. vs Humanity: A Theology of TechnologyThis is a study of the theologies of humanity and of technology through the lens of modern developments in AI, or Artificial Intelligence. The particular AI in view will be that of Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative Pre-Trained Transformers (GPTs), analyzed in light of theological anthropology, disability theology, and political theology.DATES: MAY 17 – AUGUST 8, 2026About Dr. Jon Coutts:Jon Coutts lives in Calgary where he has pastored and taught theology in a leading seminary for many years. Prior to this, he pastored churches in the Christian and Missionary Alliance and most recently taught ethics in England. He is the author of the SCM Studyguide to Church Leadership and of A Shared Mercy, a book on forgiveness in the church published with IVP. Get full access to Masala Chai Theology with Fr. Joash P. Thomas at joashpthomas.substack.com/subscribe