The MinistryAI Academy

Understanding Human Dominion in a Technological World

1. Introduction: The Modern Paradox

In this lecture, we're going to explore a critical intersection between ancient wisdom and modern technology that I believe cuts to the very heart of what it means to be human in our digital age. We're going to examine personal agency – our capacity to make authentic choices and direct our own lives – and how this fundamental human attribute is being both enhanced and challenged by artificial intelligence.

The paradox we face is profound: we have created machines of unprecedented capability to augment human decision-making, yet these very tools may be diminishing our capacity for genuine agency. This tension requires careful examination from both theological and technological perspectives.

2. Historical Framework: The Magi as Technological Elites

Let me begin with a historical analogy that illuminates our modern situation. In ancient Persia, there existed a class of scholar-advisors known as the Magi. While they're often remembered simply as wise men bearing gifts, their role in ancient society was far more sophisticated and technologically oriented. The Magi were the intellectual and technological elites of their time – skilled practitioners of astronomy, mathematics, and predictive sciences.

These individuals used the most sophisticated computational and predictive tools of their era to guide decision-making at the highest levels of society. Their astronomical calculations and mathematical models were, in essence, the artificial intelligence of their time – tools that extended human cognitive capabilities beyond their natural limits.

What's particularly relevant for our discussion is how the Magi understood the relationship between technological power and authentic authority. They were kingmakers but not kings themselves. They possessed tremendous influence through their knowledge and tools, but they recognized a higher order of authority – a distinction that speaks directly to our modern challenge with artificial intelligence.

3. The Theoretical Framework of Agency

Before we delve deeper into the challenges AI poses to human agency, we need to establish a clear theoretical framework for understanding agency itself. In contemporary psychology, agency is conceptualized as a multi-dimensional construct encompassing several key components:

1. Intentionality: The capacity to form and hold your own freely chosen intentions. You are in touch with your own wants and desires, which flow from a healthy place in your soul.

2. Forethought: The ability to anticipate outcomes. You both understand and accept the cause-effect relationship between your choices and their outcomes. You take ownership of and responsibility for both. You can predict where the sum of your choices will lead, and you have healthy, Christ-honoring ways of choosing your life's direction.

3. Self-reactiveness: The power to regulate one's actions. You are not easily triggered. You are not an impulse-driven person. You have risen above your addictions and dysfunctions by the grace and power of God. The agenda for your life comes from within--from your own personal dominion under the Lordship of Christ.

4. Self-reflectiveness: The capability to examine one's own functioning. You're not just blindly barging through life, but are rather looking for ways to love yourself, love others, and love God above all.

God purposely gave us special abilities that reflect His image in us. We can make conscious choices. We can think about the future. We can control our actions. And we can look inside ourselves and understand our own thoughts and feelings. These aren't just psychological traits - they're spiritual gifts that help us connect with God and fulfill His purpose for our lives.

These psychological constructs find interesting parallels in theological understanding. The biblical concept of dominion, articulated in Psalms 8:4-6, presents humans as beings "crowned with glory and honor" and given authority over creation. This suggests that agency isn't merely a psychological construct but a fundamental aspect of human design – what we might call our theological anthropology.

4. The Modern Challenge: AI and Agency Erosion

Now we face a new challenge with artificial intelligence. Every day, AI makes more and more decisions for us. Think about how often your phone suggests what to watch, where to eat, or even what to say in an email. As Christians, we should ask ourselves: Are we letting these artificial systems replace the wisdom and discernment God gave us? When we constantly follow AI recommendations, we might be weakening our God-given ability to make wise choices.

So the challenge we face today is qualitatively different from previous technological innovations. Artificial intelligence doesn't merely extend our physical capabilities, as traditional tools do. Instead, it extends – and potentially supplants – our cognitive and decision-making capabilities. This creates what we can call an "agency-capability paradox."

Consider the following domains where this paradox manifests:

1. Cognitive Agency: AI systems increasingly guide our information processing and decision-making

  - Recommendation algorithms shape our choices in entertainment, shopping, and information consumption

  - Predictive text systems influence our written expression

  - Navigation systems determine our physical paths through the world

In other words, AI systems are already influencing not only our thoughts, but the very ways in which we think. Our freedoms of expression and thought have already been infiltrated in ways no other society has seen before. We need to be alert and wise to subtle influences away from Christ.

2. Social Agency: Our interpersonal interactions are increasingly mediated by AI systems. The social impact of AI should really make us pause and think. Look at how social media algorithms choose which friends we interact with most. Consider how our phones suggest responses in our text messages. God designed us for genuine, heartfelt connections with each other. But when AI systems start managing our relationships, we risk losing the authentic, Spirit-led connections that make Christian community so special.

  - Social media algorithms determine which connections we maintain and strengthen

  - Communication is shaped by predictive text and AI-generated suggestions

  - Even our emotional expressions are increasingly filtered through AI-mediated systems

This means that the people we love and the ways we love them are being powerful influenced by AI systems, usually without us having a clue it's happening. As much as AI can help us form relationships, it can also hurt us by forming those relationships in shallow, self-destructive, and even narcissistic ways. This is the paradox we're all living with today.

3. Creative Agency: Our capacity for original thought and expression faces new challenges. God himself is the ultimate Creator, and He gave us creative abilities too. But now AI can write songs, paint pictures, and even write stories. This isn't just about art - it's about our special role as creatures made in God's image. When we rely too heavily on AI for creative work, we might be neglecting the unique creative gifts God gave us for worship and ministry.

  - AI-generated content sets standards for creative production

  - Algorithmic feedback shapes artistic and creative decisions

  - The very nature of originality is being redefined

If you use Suno to compose a new song, are you being creative or is AI? If you use Claude to write your essays, who's the writer? Whose creativity is on display? If we consistently farm out our creative assignments to AI systems, will our "creativity muscles" atrophy? What are the hidden costs of that?

5. The Hamartia of Digital Age

The ancient Greeks employed the concept of "hamartia" [pronounced ham-art-TEE-uh]– literally "missing the mark" or falling short of potential – to describe a tragic flaw leading to a hero's downfall. In our contemporary context, we face what I call "digital hamartia" – a systematic surrender of agency to technological systems that, while beneficial in many ways, gradually erode our capacity for genuine human choice and judgment.

This creates what we might term "digital servitude," characterized by:

1. Algorithmic Dependency: Increasing reliance on AI systems for basic decision-making. The essence of personal agency (biblical dominion) is independent decision making based on the God-given desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4). But if we don't even know our own desires because we're so bombarded by AI inputs, then what? Then who's really running our lives?

2. Choice Paralysis: Diminished capacity to make decisions without technological validation. Jesus Christ is the King of kings. This means he doesn't obliterate all other kings; he rules over them. This, in turn, means that part of his kingship is to elevate us to our own royal stature. As a Christian, you are a king or queen under the Lordship of Christ. His authority is yours and his throne is yours! This is amazing. The essence of such royalty is the ability and desire to make choices. Royalty means to want what you want, to be in touch with what you want, to be willing to state what you want, and to have enough drive to martial resources to actually get what you want.  AI, however, even as it can be of tremendous help in clarifying what we want, can also weaken our capacity to even know our own hearts. Once again, we have to ask, who's really running our lives?

3. Agency Atrophy: Gradual erosion of our ability to exercise independent judgment. Paul detonated an explosion of every force that would dominate our lives when he penned his matchless words in Romans 5:17: “For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:17). It's a complicated sentence, but its essence is simple. Before you had Jesus, sin reigned. But now that you have Jesus, YOU REIGN. You reign in your life. You captain your ship. You take the wheel, and you drive. That's what dominion means. That's what psychologists mean by personal agency. You're not being yanked around either by addictions, or by bullies, or by traumas from your past. You rise to your full identity as a royal child of God, and you --not some algorithm, not some computer chip, not some demon, and not some tyrant--call the shots in your life.

In simple terms, we run the risk of becoming too dependent on artificial intelligence for everyday decisions. Many of us feel uncomfortable making choices without checking our phones first. This isn't just a practical problem - it's a spiritual one. We're letting artificial systems guide us more than we're seeking God's wisdom and looking to our own hearts under the influence of the Holy Spirit. This is the ultimate Hamartia. It is us, surrendering our scepters and casting our crowns at the feet of AI Agents who neither represent God, nor honor his truth, nor have our best interests in mind.

6. Theological Implications and the Magi Paradigm

The gifts of the Magi do more than tell a Christmas story. They give us a powerful way to think about our relationship with technology.

1. Gold (Christ as the King of Love on a Throne of Grace, offering Royal Authority to all who believe). Gold represents kingship - Christ's kingship, but also our own role as rulers under Him. When we use AI, we should remember that we're the ones wearing the crown. The technology serves us, not the other way around. God gave us authority over creation, and that includes our digital tools.

2. Frankincense (Christ as Priest, providing Transcendent, Supernatural Connection). Frankincense points us toward the spiritual dimension of our choices.  In ancient times, this fragrant incense represented prayers rising to heaven. Today, it reminds us that our decisions should flow from our connection with God. When we make choices about using AI, we need spiritual wisdom, not just practical know-how. We need to ask not just "Can we?" but "Should we?" There is an eternal and moral dimension to how we live our lives... our existence transcends chips and data and a secular worldview. We live wither day with God and his eternal kingdom in view.

3. Myrrh (Christ as Sacrifice, offering unparalleled Love). Myrrh, used for burial, reminds us that maintaining our human agency is a high honor bought for us with the blood of Christ. His sacrifice, and the salvation he brings, is the ultimate key to preserving our authentic human decision-making and unburying us from the avalanche of sin. Christ didn't save you so you could float through life as a victim of the whims of AI algorithms. He saved you so you could become YOU, your mightiest, most heroic SELF. In every use of every digital tool, you have to stay constantly aware of whether or not that tool is pulling you toward that goal or away from it.

We might need to take longer to write that paper without AI help, or spend more time finding our way without GPS. These small sacrifices help protect our God-given ability to think and choose for ourselves.

7. Practical Framework for Digital Agency

So how do we actually protect our human agency in this AI-dominated world?

1. Cognitive Discipline: First, we need to practice cognitive discipline. This means deliberately making decisions without always checking our phones first. It means taking time to think through problems ourselves before asking AI for answers. Think of it like exercise - we need to keep our decision-making muscles strong through regular use.

  - Regular practice of independent decision-making

  - Cultivation of critical thinking skills

  - Development of algorithmic awareness

2. Technological Boundaries: We also need clear boundaries with technology. Try setting aside certain times or places as "AI-free zones." Maybe your morning prayer time stays tech-free. Maybe you write your first draft of papers without AI assistance. Some people find it helpful to take regular "digital fasts," stepping away from AI tools to reconnect with their own thoughts and God's voice.

  - Establishment of AI-free zones in daily life

  - Regular digital fasting practices

  - Conscious choice in technology adoption and non-adoption

3. Agency Enhancement: Finally, we should look for ways to use AI that enhance our God-given abilities rather than replace them. Think of AI as a telescope - it extends our vision but doesn't replace our eyes. When we use AI for research, it should help us see more clearly, not think for us. When we use it for writing, it should help us express our own thoughts better, not generate our thoughts for us. The key is remembering that AI should amplify our human capabilities, not substitute for them

  - Use of AI as amplification rather than replacement

  - Development of complementary human capabilities

  - Cultivation of wisdom in technological stewardship

8. Pedagogical Implications

For educators and students in particular, this framework suggests several key considerations.  As Christian teachers and as students, we have a special responsibility here. We need to help one another understand AI critically while keeping our faith central. Students should learn how AI works, but more importantly, they should learn to think independently and critically from a Christian perspective. We need to show them how to use technology while staying true to their faith, their God, their values, and their hearts.

We should help ourselves and those we lead and guide to develop critical AI literacy.  This starts by understanding AI's capabilities and limitations. It includes

recognizing the influence--sometimes unhealthy influence--of algorithms, which have not always been created with God's purposes in mind. And it should result help us all cultivate thinking skills completely independent of AI influence.

In practical terms this means we all, both students and teachers, need strive for a balance between technological assistance and independent work. We need to devleop our own authentic voices in writing and expression. And we need to cultivate our own original thought processes.

9. Conclusion: The Path Forward

The solution to our digital challenge isn't rejection of technology – just as the Magi didn't reject their astronomical tools. AI is a tool, not a replacement for human judgment. God gave us minds to think, hearts to feel, and spirits to connect with Him. Technology can help us in many ways, but it should never take the place of our relationship with God or our responsibility to make wise, Spirit-led decisions. We need to find a balance that uses AI's benefits while protecting our God-given human agency. Let's define our role as stewards of technology, not its servants. This involves recognizing our inherent dignity and authority as human beings, understanding technology as a tool rather than a master, and cultivating conscious choice in our use of AI systems.

As we move forward into an increasingly AI-driven future, remember that you were created to have dominion – to be deeply in touch with your authentic desires and to have the power to pursue them. Technology should enhance this dominion, not diminish it. Our challenge is to use AI while maintaining our crown of agency, to be enhanced by technology while never being enslaved by it.

10. Discussion Questions and Application

As we conclude our examination of agency in the digital age, I want to pose several questions that will help us apply these concepts to our daily lives and academic work. These aren't merely rhetorical questions – they're invitations to deeply examine our relationship with technology and our understanding of human agency.

First, consider your academic work: How do you experience the tension between technological enhancement and personal agency in your studies? When you write a paper, for instance, how do you navigate the balance between using AI-powered writing assistants and maintaining your authentic voice? This isn't just about academic integrity – it's about the development of your intellectual capabilities and your unique perspective as a scholar.

Second, I'd like you to reflect on your personal practices: What methods have you found helpful in maintaining authentic thought and expression while using AI tools? Some students have shared with me that they write their first drafts without any AI assistance, only bringing in technological tools during the revision process. Others have developed specific criteria for when they will and won't use AI assistance. What boundaries have worked for you?

Third, let's consider the theological implications: How do you understand the relationship between divine image-bearing and technological augmentation? If we are indeed created in God's image, what does that mean for how we interact with and rely upon artificial intelligence? This question goes to the heart of our understanding of human nature and our role as stewards of creation.

Finally, consider the communal aspect: What role does community play in maintaining healthy technological boundaries? In my experience, individual efforts to maintain agency often falter without community support. How might we, as an academic community, support each other in maintaining healthy relationships with technology?

11. Further Reading and Resources

To deepen your understanding of these topics, I recommend several key works that bridge the gap between theological anthropology, technological ethics, and human agency:

"The Technological Society" by Jacques Ellul provides a foundational critique of technology's impact on human agency and social structures. While written before the AI revolution, its insights remain remarkably relevant.

For a theological perspective on human agency and technology, Brent Waters' "From Human to Posthuman: Christian Theology and Technology in a Postmodern World" offers valuable insights into how Christian anthropology can inform our understanding of technological enhancement.

In terms of practical application, Andy Crouch's "The Tech-Wise Family" provides concrete strategies for maintaining human agency in a technological world, while James K.A. Smith's "You Are What You Love" helps us understand how our practices shape our agency and desires.

For those interested in the psychological aspects of agency, Albert Bandura's work on human agency and self-efficacy remains fundamental to understanding how we maintain personal agency in the face of external influences.

These readings will help you develop a more nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities we face in maintaining human agency in an AI-dominated world. I encourage you to engage with these resources critically, always considering how their insights might apply to your own experience and practice.

12. Final Thoughts

As we conclude this lecture, remember that the question of human agency in the digital age isn't merely academic – it's deeply personal and profoundly practical. Each of us must find our own way to navigate these challenges, but we do so as part of a community of learners and believers who share a commitment to maintaining human dignity and agency in an increasingly technological world.

Your engagement with these ideas shouldn't end with this lecture. Take these concepts with you, discuss them with your peers, and most importantly, use them to inform your own relationship with technology. The decisions you make about how to use and limit AI tools will shape not only your own development but also contribute to our collective understanding of what it means to be human in the digital age.