New research from the 2026 State of the Bible report reveals a striking contradiction: Gen Z is the least Bible-engaged adult generation in America and the most likely to turn to AI for biblical insight. But they’re also the generation most resistant to seeing that same tool in the hands of their pastor. What does that tell us about authenticity, trust, and spiritual formation in the age of AI?
In this episode, Dr. John Plake sits down with Dr. K — AI consultant, ethicist, former US intelligence officer, theologian trained under Dallas Willard, and author of Hope’s Horizon: From Chatbots to Jesus Return — to dig into what the data says and what it means for the church.
Learn more about the State of the Bible research and download the latest chapter at stateofthebible.org.
Chapters:
00:30 – Meet Dr. K: AI ethicist, theologian, and former intelligence officer
01:46 – Dr. K’s journey from Vegas to the CIA to AI ethics
08:24 – What the 2026 data says about American attitudes toward AI
09:36 – Why AI optimism is growing and what’s driving it
13:33 – The Gen Z paradox: least Bible-engaged, most likely to use AI for scripture
18:03 – Why Gen Z holds their pastor to a higher standard than a chatbot
19:24 – Authenticity is the coin of the realm for Gen Z and Gen Alpha
20:00 – Who’s really using AI for Bible study and why it matters
24:08 – This AI moment is a gospel moment
28:08 – How the church should respond to the AI age
29:46 – Should we benchmark AI models for Christian faithfulness?
35:58 – Where AI helps a pastor and where it doesn’t
40:00 – Dr. Kay’s conversion story: saved in a Vegas hair salon
43:47 – What would Dallas Willard say about AI?
48:11 – The wisdom gap and the church’s opportunity
50:02 – Hope’s Horizon: from chatbots to Jesus’ return
53:25 – Closing and resources