The Church in Changing Times
From The Table Podcast by Dallas Theological Seminary
April 21, 2026 · 52 min · Episode 702
About this episode
The episode discusses how the church can remain relevant amidst cultural changes driven by technology and societal issues.
How does the church stay relevant in a world defined by artificial intelligence, extreme polarization, and a global loneliness epidemic? Join Darrell Bock and Jurie Kriel as they explore the unprecedented cultural shifts redefining human identity and unpack why returning to the “irreducible minimum” of authentic community is the ultimate key to reaching the next generation. Time codes: 01:23 What Does Church Relevance Mean Today? 02:04 Lessons on Truth and Trust from South Africa 10:33 Navigating Rapid Cultural Change 15:19 The 6 Shifts Shaping the Future 17:01 AI and the Global Human Identity Crisis 24:15 The Paradox of Digital Connection and Loneliness 28:30 The “Irreducible Minimum” of the Church 34:49 Surviving the Echo Chamber and Cultural Polarization 43:32 How Technology is Forcing a Return to True Belonging Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
People in this episode
Host: Darrell Bock
Guest: Jurie Kriel
Topics covered
- church relevance
- cultural shifts
- community
- artificial intelligence
- loneliness
- polarization
Keywords
- church
- relevance
- community
- cultural change
- AI
- loneliness
- polarization
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Dallas Theological Seminary, South Africa, AI
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