The Future is Human

In this episode of The Future Is Human, I'm joined by theologian and blogger Larry Chapp for a wide-ranging conversation on Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas. Larry — who writes at GaudiumEtSpes22.com and is a regular contributor to Catholic World Report — brings his characteristic blend of patristics, Augustinian social thought, and sharp Vatican-watching to the document. We dig into the encyclical's Christological anthropology, the Pope's Augustinian reading of the Tower of Babel, the tech-bro backlash, why AI will never achieve consciousness, what the encyclical gets right and wrong on just war theory, and what we're still hoping Leo writes next. Larry Chapp's response to Magnifica Humanitas at CWR: https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2026/05/27/why-i-think-magnifica-humanitas-is-a-pointed-and-prophetic-gut-punch/ Larry's blog: GaudiumEtSpes22.com Magnifica Humanitas : https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html

In this episode of The Future is Human, I’m joined by Danish journalist, theologian, and cultural commentator Iben Thranholm to discuss her recent First Things essay, “Dawn of a New Pre-Christian West,” and the unexpected wave of young people flooding into the Catholic Church across Europe and the United States. We talk about why the New Atheism collapsed, why Muslims are converting to Christianity in record numbers (often after seeing Christ in dreams), the spiritual cost of lives lived through a screen, and why genuine love — not political programs — is what will define the future of the West. Links and references: Iben Thranholm’s First Things essay, “ Dawn of a New Pre-Christian West ” Iben’s recent essay in The European Conservative on Muslims and the Christian revival Iben’s YouTube channel Hallow’s research on the surge in U.S. adult Catholic confirmations Got feedback? Email Zac at zac@creedalpodcast.com

In this episode, Zac and Larry discuss Larry's observations from the Synod on Synodality in Rome. 00:00 Introduction and Conference Reflections 05:07 Insights from the Synod on Synodality 10:00 Expectations vs. Reality of the Synod 15:00 The Role of Laypeople in the Church 20:04 Pope Francis and Progressive Catholicism 25:04 The Vatican's Approach to American Catholicism 29:56 Conclusion and Future Implications 32:04 The Eurocentric Nature of the Synod 34:51 African Church Perspectives and Concerns 37:50 The Disconnect Between the Synod and Global South 39:43 Pope Francis and the Challenge of Co-optation 42:30 The Nature of Dialogue at the Synod 52:22 Hope for the Future of the Church

In this conversation, Zac and Andrew discuss Andrew's book (co-written with David Paul Baird and Rev. Michael Ward) entitled 'Popcorn with the Pope.' We delve into specific films on the list, such as 'Au Revoir Les Enfants' and 'Babette's Feast', discussing various themes and ideas from each. Relatedly, we also discuss concerns about the impact of AI on the arts--both from labor and creative perspectives. Buy the book here: https://bookstore.wordonfire.org/products/popcorn-with-the-pope?gclid=Cj0KCQjwn9y1BhC2ARIsAG5IY-6mWrryeuTxWChVGh8EYliN2em43I0skHdYAQs7o0bh_a4XlMUeKLYaArEoEALw_wcB 00:00 Introduction and Background 05:26 The Vatican Film List and Popcorn with the Pope 17:10 Exploring 'Au Revoir Les Enfants' 24:08 Uncovering the Themes of 'Babette's Feast' 27:50 Babette's Feast and the Vatican Film List 36:09 The Impact of AI on the Entertainment Industry 39:19 The Need to Protect Human Creativity and Dignity 45:10 Protecting Workers' Rights and Copyrights 48:28 The Threat of Cultural and Economic Devastation by AI 50:49 Using the Differentiation from AI as an Evangelism Tool

In this conversation, Zac and Alex discuss the limitations of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on human flourishing. They explore the role of intuition and embodiment in human understanding, and explore a Christian account of the development of understanding via the Sacraments. They also delve into the concept of emergent consciousness and the challenges of reducing the human mind to a material substrate or a product thereof. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:16 Misconceptions and Challenges of AGI 13:51 The Flawed Computational Theory of Mind 21:23 The Unfounded Idea of a Singularity 25:38 The Limitations of Large Language Models 32:04 Intuition and Embodiment in Human Understanding 33:55 The Sacraments and Embodied Experience 37:35 The Importance of Personhood in AI 46:28 The Dangers of Outsourcing Jobs to Robots 53:19 The Cultural and Societal Implications of AI 55:44 For next time: AI in Warfare? Ethical Concerns and Responsible Decision-Making Books Discussed: Hubert Dreyfuss: What Computers [Still] Can't Do--https://a.co/d/016fuh7L Nick Bostrom: "A Letter from Utopia"--https://nickbostrom.com/utopia Iain McGilchrist: The Master and His Emissary--https://a.co/d/03LzycwX

In this episode, Zac and Andrew discuss various news articles in the 'Fake News' segment and then dive into a close read of an article by L.M. Sacasas titled 'Secularization Comes for the Religion of Technology.' They explore the concept of secularization and how it applies to the religion of technology, as well as the implications for society. 00:00 Will Barbers Save Civilization? 03:16 Fake News Segment 16:17 Secularization Comes for the Religion of Technology 36:03 Technology as a Religion 37:09 World Fairs and Technological Exhibitions 42:40 Secularization of the Religion of Technology 45:57 The Vacuum of the Religion of Technology 52:20 The Unstable Nature of Technology 57:45 Recommendation: Popcorn with the Pope 59:05 Recommendation: Navalny Documentary ** Secularization Comes for the Religion of Technology by L.M. Sacasas** Fake News Real Item #1 Fake News Real Item #2

My conversation with Dr. Larry Chapp today discusses the recent teaching edict of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith: Fiducia Supplicans. The document attempts to clarify the pastoral meaning of blessings, particularly in relation to "irregular unions," but falls short on several fronts. We discuss some of our issues with the document, including theological incoherence, the invention of straw man positions, and the potential for misinterpretation. We also explore the implications of divorcing pastoral practice from truth, and the need for love to be grounded in truth. Included in the discussion: clericalism, masked homophobia, incrementalism and the law of gradualism, responses from bishops conferences around the world, synodality and non-synodal approaches, comparisons to Humanae Vitae (ha!), the subseuqent press release, the endurance of the Church, support for LGBT Catholics, and much more. Episode Links: Fiducia Supplicans The subsequent press release The Pillar's rollup of reactions Eden Invitation Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:49 What is Fiducia Supplicans? 02:09 Authority of the Document 05:24 Perceptions and Reactions 08:19 Invention of a Middle Position 10:08 Theological Incoherence 11:34 Blessing Individuals vs. Relationships 13:02 Train Wreck of Pastoral Approach 14:28 Spin and Misinterpretation 15:28 Pastoral Disaster 20:21 Theology of Blessings 21:42 Tenuous Foundations 22:17 Solution in Search of a Problem 23:15 Incoherence and Contradictions 26:04 Masked Homophobia 27:33 Divorcing Pastoral Practice from Truth 31:16 Theological Stupidity 35:43 Ecclesiastical Free-for-All 38:26 Divorcing Love from Truth 40:54 The Church as an Idol 44:04 Incrementalism and the Law of Gradualism 45:00 Responses from Bishops Conferences 46:50 Synodality and Non-Synodal Approaches 50:13 Comparisons to Humanae Vitae 52:46 The Press Release and African Bishops 57:43 Racism and Synodality 58:06 The Church's Endurance and Hillaire Belloc 58:19 Support for LGBT Catholics 01:01:28 Pope Francis and Pastoral Mistakes 01:03:06 Proclaiming the Truth

Today on the show we tackle our usual "misinformation" segment before diving into "BAPism" the absurd ideology espoused by followers of a mysterious internet persona known as "Bronze Age Pervert." Using Graeme Wood's latest article as a starting point, we discuss the ideology and a few of its grievous errors before articulating the beginning of an alternative. Grame Wood's article: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/09/bronze-age-pervert-costin-alamariu/674762/ Also mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvG44mwPsbk&ab_channel=TheEuropeanConservative