The Digital God

As humans charge up the steep slope of technological innovation, digital age media increasingly shapes our perception of everything--even spiritual matters. The next stage of spiritual development may be the product of a digital interface between our own image of the divine, virtual reality technology that produces real perceptions, and with devices that stimulate areas of the brain associated with spiritual experience. This book explores the influence of digital media on spirituality and the impact of the digital environment on our experience of the spiritual world. The author predicts a future in which digital technology and neuroscience will combine to create a new understanding of the divine. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

He is the Cyber-Age Krishna, Destroyer of the Evil Kansa A runaway kid from the most powerful family in Hyderabad, Kanu is a twenty-two-year-old hacker. His mission in life is to destroy his uncle, Rana, and take control over Sathyamev Computers, a billion-dollar company originally started by his father.Together with the beautiful Darshu, a journalist crusading against corruption, Kanu sets out to expose a mega financial scam at Sathyamev. His only weapon: ingenious computing skills.

As humans charge up the steep slope of technological innovation, digital age media increasingly shapes our perception of everything--even spiritual matters. The next stage of spiritual development may be the product of a digital interface between our own image of the divine, virtual reality technology that produces real perceptions, and with devices that stimulate areas of the brain associated with spiritual experience. This book explores the influence of digital media on spirituality and the impact of the digital environment on our experience of the spiritual world. The author predicts a future in which digital technology and neuroscience will combine to create a new understanding of the divine. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

The church can be uncertain of itself in our digital age. Some Christians denounce the twenty-first century's media culture while others embrace the latest gadgets and apps as soon as they appear. Many of us are stumbling along amidst the tweets, status updates, podcasts, and blog posts, wondering if we have ventured into a realm beyond the scope of biblical wisdom. Though there is such a thing as 'new media', Andrew Byers reminds us that the actual concept of media is ancient, theological, andeven biblical. In fact, there is such a thing as the media of God. 'TheoMedia' are means by which God communicates and reveals himself - creation, divine speech, inspired writings, the visual symbol of the cross, and more. Christians are actually called to media saturation. But the media that are to most prominently saturate our lives are the media of God. If God creates and uses media, then Scripture provides a theological logic by which we can create and use media in the digital age. This book is not an unqualified endorsement of the latest media products or a tirade against media technology. Instead, Byers calls us to rethink our understanding of media in terms of the media of God in the biblical story of redemption.

A book that dares to describe individualism as a religion and paint a reality that is primarily virtual, rather than physical. While the authors don’t mind challenging the reader’s view of the self and the world, their main intention is to induce passive receivers of the future to become more active participants. Engaging observations and perceptive interpretations of contemporary society.

A strikingly original exploration of what it might mean to be authentically human in the age of artificial intelligence, from the author of the critically-acclaimed Interior States. • "At times personal, at times philosophical, with a bracing mixture of openness and skepticism, it speaks thoughtfully and articulately to the most crucial issues awaiting our future." —Phillip Lopate “[A] truly fantastic book.”—Ezra Klein For most of human history the world was a magical and enchanted place ruled by forces beyond our understanding. The rise of science and Descartes's division of mind from world made materialism our ruling paradigm, in the process asking whether our own consciousness—i.e., souls—might be illusions. Now the inexorable rise of technology, with artificial intelligences that surpass our comprehension and control, and the spread of digital metaphors for self-understanding, the core questions of existence—identity, knowledge, the very nature and purpose of life itself—urgently require rethinking. Meghan O'Gieblyn tackles this challenge with philosophical rigor, intellectual reach, essayistic verve, refreshing originality, and an ironic sense of contradiction. She draws deeply and sometimes humorously from her own personal experience as a formerly religious believer still haunted by questions of faith, and she serves as the best possible guide to navigating the territory we are all entering.

"During the pandemic, churches pivoted to online worship. Justin Bishop offers practical guidance and theological reflection to offer help to churches trying to establish and strengthen their digital presence"--

At just twelve years of age, Kathy met Kris, age fifteen, and it was love at first sight. Before her lay the journey of engagement and marriage to a man who would become an influential leader at Bethel Church; raising children while being part of one of the most influential Spirit-filled networks on the globe; and her own involvement in leadership--sparking a movement with her husband that has impacted much of the world. In this unfiltered, messy, and exciting narrative, Bethel Church matriarch Kathy Vallotton traces her life with Kris as she recounts their early married life, his heart-wrenching nervous breakdown, troubling financial setbacks, the jarring experience of living with a prophet, learning to develop a healthy kingdom culture at home--and how she grew to trust God in the midst of it all.

Named to Kirkus Reviews' Best of 2016 Book List. Finalist, Best Thriller of 2016, Pacific Book Awards. A deadly and exhilarating game of cat and mouse that has all the makings of an engaging series about fighting terrorists. -Kirkus Reviews (starred review) In the fast-paced world of cybersecurity, Juliana al-Dossari is a woman with a mission. When terrorist hackers threaten to disrupt water and power systems in Boston, Dallas, and Los Angeles, she joins her husband and a team of white hat hackers to track them down. With few technical skills but plenty of courage, Juliana quickly learns how to navigate the dangerous waters of the internet in order to save her city. But using her knowledge comes at a high price - her marriage and her children are threatened if she fails. Filled with action, suspense and intrigue, God of the Internet is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that will keep you resisting to pause until the very end. GOD OF THE INTERNET is a delightfully frightening, completely realistic fictional depiction of a new face of terrorism. -IndieReader Five stars. In a real thrill ride of a read, God of the Internet...will grab readers from the very first pages, and keep them obsessively turning...all the way through until the very end. -Readers' Favorite Five stars. Lipinski has constructed a thriller based on elements that are intricately intertwined today-the internet, the family, and terrorism. In this fast paced potboiler, digital derring-do shares page space with familial obligations and international intrigue. -Pacific Book Review