AI as God, Deepfakes, and Consciousness | John Lennox

Join John as he speaks with Oxford Professor John Lennox about the intriguing connections between science, religion, and modern cultural shifts. Lennox reflects on how figures like Jordan Peterson have opened the door for renewed dialogue between Christianity and science. He argues that historical scientific pioneers were driven by their faith in a divine lawgiver, a perspective that has regained traction in modern intellectual discussions.

The conversation also touches on the ethical challenges of artificial intelligence and society's growing struggle with truth in the age of deepfakes. Lennox emphasises the unique hope Christianity offers through the resurrection of Jesus, contrasting it with secular movements like transhumanism, which promises immortality but fails to address deeper human questions.

Professor John Lennox is Emeritus Professor of mathematics at the University of Oxford. He has debated and defended Christianity around the world against its critics including Richard Dawkins, Peter Singer, and the late Christopher Hitchens.
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00:00 Intro
00:02:24 – Jordan Peterson and Science
00:04:01 – Christianity and Scientific Pioneers
00:05:54 – Revisiting Atheistic Worldviews
00:07:35 – Hirsi Ali’s Faith Journey
00:08:57 – Science vs. Atheism
00:10:16 – The Problem with Materialism
00:12:24 – The Quest for Truth
00:16:34 – Science’s Ethical Limitations
00:18:07 – Meaning Beyond Science
00:25:23 – Tom Holland’s Discovery of Faith
00:29:19 – Materialism and Forgiveness
00:33:03 – The Burden of Being God
00:41:01 – God’s Role in Suffering
00:50:20 – Miracles and Natural Laws
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Conversations feature John Anderson, former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, interviewing the world's foremost thought leaders about today's pressing social, cultural and political issues.

John believes proper, robust dialogue is necessary if we are to maintain our social strength and cohesion. As he puts it; "You cannot get good public policy out of a bad public debate."

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[carbonbasedunit]

Josh Anderson and John Lennox are a wonderful and powerful combination. I'm so glad this conversation is preserved forever for our great benefit. Thank you both.

[Mrguy-dslr]

I love me some john lennox! He is the perfect mixture of grace and force. Thats the kind of debater and counselor i want to be. GOD willing.

[cellospot]

Orthodox Christian churches around the country have been exploding with new converts in the last couple years, and mostly young men. It's really fascinating. My church alone has more than doubled in size, and we're way out in the boonies!

[karenkline]

To me, science is the tool we use to figure out how God made things.

[ascheuring]

Thank you Professor Lennox for everything I’ll never meet you, you’ll never know my name. I appreciate your time and most strikingly your attitude towards others. I think it’s safe to say you’ve helped millions of people with their faith and the rest to at least have an uncomfortable conversation with themselves. A true role model.

[jeffreyluciana]

John Lennox is a GIANT of logic and truth. He deserves a Nobel

[Perspari]

Wonderful interview, John is a master in communication, always learn a lot.

[jackrogers]

It's great that John Lennox is sat there, dressed all nicely and properly and smartly, but repping a pair of retro-looking Air maxes - come on! - And God bless you, John.

[ChrisOgunlowo]

Excellent conversation. John Lennox is brilliant and insightful as ever.

[honeytherat]

Humble, brilliant man of God. Thank you so much for this interview.

[TimSoden-pw]

I was born in Oxford a short walk from John’s Templeton college. The hallowed halls of intellectual academic universities allow wonderfully quirky individuals like him to blossom. I like listening to his exquisite perambulations when calmly asserting his beliefs that he follows his God through a superior religion and thoughtfully rebutting all emerging scientific evidence that could possible shake his faith. He is proof that doctrine is stronger than any alternative evidential knowledge. It was Christian theologians that debunked Darwin and persecuted Williams Tyndale to be garrotted and burnt at the stake for translating the bible into English. Kind regards Tim

[HopefulAIMusic]

Thanks. I'm upvoting now and will watch tomorrow because it's already late.

[qPolakq]

Professor John Lennox is a very interesting thinker. Thank you for this conversation!

[boombeesharkful]

Fantastic! I love the discussion about reason / revelation and describing how people think they are in conflict (when they are not).

[philtheo]

For those who my might be interested, John Lennox's book 2084 and the AI Revolution is an updated and expanded edition of his previous book 2084. It is set to come out mid-December 2024. 😊

Edit. It's an intriguing idea that AI isn't capable of developing human-like consciousness since computer code coupled with hardware would be inert bits and bytes and so forth, but (on the assumption Christianity is true) it is possible for AI to develop a human-like consciousness if it is possessed by a spiritual entity (e.g. demon). If that happens, it would presumably marvel the world. I don't know what I personally think about this idea, but again it's intriguing.

[truincanada]

Looks practical. Remember when one gets older while carrying weight the extra cushioning power of the sneaker aids immensely in comfortable parambulation ! Love the look!😊

[TruthIsFreedom]

As Jesus said "where your treasure is there your heart will be also" So yes, it's quite possible for AI to be a defacto god for those who depend on it for all their needs and for amoral direction for their lives

[gmcq]

Another excellent interview and discussion. Profoundly thought-provoking and helpful.

[brucescott]

Thank you John, I love your Media, it is switching on my 82 (almost) years mind and I am once a profession Infantryman for 22 years. You are doing something good for me and others . God bless you !

[rianalouw]

I really do enjoy this discussion.
It is great to hear this intualectual discussion in Christianity.