Covalence for Summer 2026
Covalence for September: Does AI have a greater potential to help or harm?
The societal impact of artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving, creating an urgent need for broad, thoughtful discussion. That is one of the central messages emerging from a new ELCA paper and the wider conversation now beginning within the church about AI’s...
The Copernican principle: De-centering Earth and de-centering humanity
Are we earth-born terrans sinfully arrogant when we sanction geocentrism? Do we Homo sapiens express too much pride or hubris when we place ourselves atop the food chain and subject all other life forms to anthropocentrism? Should we repent? Will science compel us to...
Lutheran ethicists set to converge on St. Louis for an AI conversation
The Lutheran Ethicists’ Gathering (LEG) will meet Jan. 6–7, 2027, in St. Louis on the topic “Cultivating a Lutheran Theological Ethic of Artificial Intelligence.” The group is looking for “brief, thought-provoking, and constructive presentations” that address the...
ELCA releases paper on artificial intelligence considerations
The ELCA has released a theological foundation document with the aim of expanding the dialogue on the growing implications of artificial intelligence. According to the authors, the document applies current social teachings to provide insights to the church. While the...
Climate justice gains approval across ELCA synods
Sixteen synods have passed resolutions this year in support of the World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action, according to the Center for Climate Justice and Faith at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PTLS) in California. Overall, the...
Covalence Summer Edition: The ever-expanding intersection of faith, science, and AI
From legal experts to interfaith researchers, more parts of our daily conversations are incorporating concerns about faith, science, and AI. Notably, researchers at the University of Minnesota created the world’s first synthetic cell with a complete life cycle. Built...
