Tag: Gen Z

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Know About Creating: How Can Artists Use AI and Other Digital Tools Wisely?

Interview With Ross Boone (Part 1)

Ross Boone (artist name Raw Spoon) is an author, illustrator, mechanical engineer, and theologian. He’s also had his share of doubts about faith and the Bible. Using those struggles as his creative engine, today Ross encourages others through artwork and stories. In Part 1 of his interview with Know Why Podcast, Ross shares how he uses digital tools including AI to create art that enhances biblical understanding. He also discusses how his app Creature Habits aims to reorient our distractions toward positive purposes. Listen and check out more of Ross’s creative resources below.

Doubt, Faith, and People

Ross told Know Why that he used to struggle with guilt over doubts and questions he had regarding Christian faith. He turned to creativity to process those doubts and questions, and now helps others wading through the same questions through his art.

Overtime, Ross realized that doubt is an important part of one’s journey with faith. “If you weren’t ever left in longing or left with questions, you wouldn’t have to dig deeper,” he said. He’s found that seeming dissonances within Scripture actually point to the complexity and nuance of humanity—much like art.


“If you weren’t ever left in longing or left with questions, you wouldn’t have to dig deeper.”

Ross boone

He believes Christian art needs to do a better job of portraying this reality. “Art has alerted me to the fact that we are complex, because I recognize when stories and portrayals of humans are done poorly.”

AI and Art

Ross believes that digital tools, including AI, have the power to bring depth and complexity to our understanding of biblical principles. He uses AI to generate art that accompanies Bible passages available in his app, Creature Habits. He hopes the art will help users visualize and understand biblical morals in fresh ways.

He notes that AI isn’t replacing the creative process for him as an artist. Rather, AI is a tool he is using for the benefit of the viewer in a specific context.

“Every new, modern technology is a tool for us to do what we want to do better,” he told Know Why. “We just have to be careful we don’t become a slave to these tools.”

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Listen to another perspective on AI and art here.

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Know About Creating: Why Should Christians Value Art?

Interview With John Hendrix

Bestselling author and illustrator John Hendrix joins the Know Why Podcast to talk about the intersection of art and faith. A critically acclaimed artist and lifelong Christian, John shares why beauty has inherent value, argues why Christians should support artists, and explains why pursuing art as a profession matters in today’s world. A professor of art at Washington University in St. Louis, John offers advice and encouragement to aspiring artists. We also discuss some of John’s published (and forthcoming) graphic novels, so don’t miss this episode!

Art and Faith

John told Know Why he has been a Christian and an artist for as long as he can remember. As a child, he was often artistically inspired by the beauty in his home church. He sees art and creation as intrinsic expressions of his belief system.

“You cannot decouple creativity from expression of Christian faith,” he said, noting that “everyone is a creator,” even if they don’t consider themselves artists.


“We are made in the image of a Maker, and that is why we love making stuff.”

John Hendrix

John also shared how throughout his life, he’s wrestled with seasons of doubt regarding Christianity. “I think if you do not have doubts in your faith, you’re probably not really wrestling with it,” he told Know Why. “The doubts are a sign that it means something to you.”

The Value of Beauty

Christians can sometimes have a complicated relationship with the arts, and Johns sees a few reasons for this. For instance, Christians are often focused on practical ways to advance the gospel, and focusing on art can feel like an “indulgence.”

John understands the concern, but thinks the focus on practicality is misguided. “The sunset is not doing a particular work in spreading the gospel, unless you believe that beauty is fundamentally connected to some of God’s intrinsic values, which—news flash—it is,” he said. “So supporting the arts, in some ways, means succumbing to a mystery.”

He believes that churches should welcome artists and even implement programs to support them.

Encouragement for Aspiring Artists

The decision to pursue art professionally can result in both judgment and concern regarding everything from finances to the legitimacy of the pursuit. John encourages young artists, insisting that devoting one’s life to art is not selfish, but sacrificial—and meaningful for the world.

“Artists do not have the same earning power in general as Wall Street brokers, and that’s ok,” he said. “The goal of life on this planet is not to maximize your earning potential.” He says following one’s calling and living rightly are what matter most.


“The calling into the arts is a very broad one and it is totally worthy of your life.” 

John Hendrix

Regarding illustration specifically, John says that “there is no better time to be an illustrator than right now.” There are so many devices and books that need illustration today, he continues, and illustration brings “clarity.”

“What does God value in the world?” John asked. “He values clarity. Clarity is a value. And it’s a value that is very difficult to do and to bring to the world.”

Listen to the entire conversation for more insight, encouragement, and information about John’s forthcoming graphic novel, The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.

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Know About Creating: Why Do We Make Art and How Does it Make Us?

Conversation With Meghan Kitchen and Stephen R. Miller

Meghan Kitchen and Stephen R. Miller continue the conversation on art, why we love it, why we do it, and how it impacts people. Part 2 kicks off with a discussion of how different kinds of art highlights truth, and whether Christian artists must be “explicit” in their message in order to point people to the gospel. Then Stephen, Meghan, and Liberty talk about why making art is important even when art doesn’t make money—and why we should all carve out time for creative endeavors. Listen to Part 1 here.

Stories

Last week, Stephen argued that even dark art can point people to Jesus. Continuing that conversation, Liberty talks about The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy, a novella that impacted her faith through its themes of death and futility. Stephen argues that stories impact us deeply by connecting us with God, truth, and humanity.


“We’re telling stories, and I think within us all is a desire to somehow replicate … the unnamable.”

Stephen R. Miller

“We’re telling stories, and I think within us all is a desire to somehow replicate … the unnamable,” he said. “To put down whether it’s oil on canvas or ink on paper or performance with a music instrument or a human being acting on stage, to give this form, but it starts with a story.”

With or Without Money?

Liberty asked Meghan and Stephen if they would make a living off their art if they could (everyone agreed they would), and why they still pursue their art even if it doesn’t make money. Everyone agreed that creating art is important even if it doesn’t earn a living.

“The further I get from the assumption that I ‘ought’ to be making money at this, the better,” Stephen told Know Why. Letting go of that assumption allows him to focus on what really matters about his passion, acting: “It connects me to my fellow human beings and it is the way God has given me to reflect him among his creation.”

Are you making time for your creative endeavors?

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Know About Creating: Why We Love Art

Conversation With Meghan Kitchen and Stephen R. Millar (Part 1)

For the first episode of Know Why’s new series, “Know About Creating,” Liberty is joined in-studio by audio engineer Meghan Kitchen and producer Stephen R. Miller, both of Point of View Radio Talk Show. But for this conversation, Liberty, Meghan, and Stephen are artists. They discuss what they love about their favorite art mediums, why they feel the drive to create stories, music, and performances, and how faith impacts their interactions with art. Enjoy Part 1 of this fun conversation and look for Part 2 next week! 

Art is Life

For people who consider themselves creatives, creating isn’t an option. That’s how Meghan, Stephen, and Liberty feel about their favorite forms of creative work. All three agree that art helps to connect them with other people.

“I love it [acting] because it gives me a chance to open people’s eyes, it gives me a chance to make people laugh or cry and to think deeply about humanity and about how they relate to others, and how others relate to them,” Stephen said.

“Art is to be shared,” Meghan added.

Faith and Art

What does it mean to do art as Christians? Meghan, Stephen, and Liberty share their various feelings on the combination of art and faith, acknowledging that sometimes Christians feel the need to box themselves or other artists in to explicitly and exclusively referencing God in their works.

Stephen argues that even in “dark” stories where the Gospel isn’t explicitly mentioned, people can be pointed to truth.

Listen to the episode for more about how art of various forms points to God, and check back next week for Part 2!

More Resources

  • What Happens in a Dream? Fictional Podcast by Meghan Kitchen
  • Request a free copy of the booklet “A Biblical View on Imagination” by Stephen Miller here, or read an expanded digital edition here.
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Why Should I Advocate for Religious Freedom?

Interview With Nathan Shackelford

What if we fostered a culture of curiosity about others’ religious beliefs, rather than judgment? In the last episode of Know Why’s series on political engagement, Liberty interviews Nathan Shackelford of First Liberty Institute. Nathan shares stories of religious discrimination happening today in the United States—from synagogues being rejected by cities, to pastors being criminally charged for offering shelter to the homeless, and more. Listen to learn how you can help defend religious freedom for all.

Everyone Should Care

Nathan Shackelford is the Manager of F3, a new initiative from legal firm First Liberty Institute. F3 equips young adults to stand up for religious freedom rights. He told Know Why that religious freedom is something everyone should care about, regardless of their political stance. “You should want the ability to express your faith without fear of government reprisal, no matter which side you’re on,” he said.

While many members of Gen Z in the U.S. support certain subtle expressions of religion, a majority do not support bolder expressions of faith, such as preaching in public or holding faith-based, counter-cultural opinions. But Nathan argues you can’t have one kind of expression of faith without the other.

“If you’re a person of faith, you shouldn’t have to turn off half of yourself when you’re in public,” he told Know Why.

Free to Express Your Faith

That’s what many of First Liberty’s legal cases center on—protecting Americans’ right to freely express their religious beliefs in public without fear of retribution from government or employers. Several of First Liberty’s U.S. Supreme Court wins have secured precedents that expand rights for people of all faiths, Nathan told Know Why.


“Every person of faith has to have the right to express their faith equally.”

Nathan shackelford

“Every person of faith has to have the right to express their faith equally,” he said. “If the First Amendment only applies to Christians but doesn’t apply to every other group, then the law is being selective in what it’s covering.” 

Fostering Openness

Nathan believes the impulse to want people of faith to hide their beliefs comes from a loss of openness and friendly debate in American culture. He thinks diverse expressions of faith should invite curiosity and conversation, rather than make people uncomfortable.

While some may doubt that religious discrimination is truly a problem in the United States, First Liberty Institute’s case list proves otherwise. Nathan summarizes a few ongoing and recent cases, including one involving a pastor who is being targeted by his city government for attempting to house the homeless. Another example involves a synagogue told by city officials that their kind were not wanted.

Defending religious freedom in America also has an impact on religious minorities around the world who are more harshly persecuted, Nathan explained. Many religious non-profits who offer global aid to the persecuted are based in the U.S. (and religious believers are most likely to give to charity). If religious organizations and individuals are not able to operate freely, people around the world suffer.

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To learn more about your religious freedom rights and how you can become involved in defending others’ religious freedom, explore the links below.

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Can Localism Ease Partisanship (And Even Anxiety?) Know About Political Engagement

Interview With Dr. Mark T. Mitchell

Does the philosophy of localism offer an antidote to the hostile partisanship that typically marks American politics? Can it even address the cultural problems of anxiety and loneliness? Dr. Mark T. Mitchell, co-founder of Front Porch Republic and Dean of Academic Affairs at Patrick Henry College, joins Liberty to talk about the importance of intentional living, physical space, embodied community, and more.

‘Bodies Matter’

Various episodes in Know Why Podcast’s “Know About Political Engagement” series have highlighted the importance of voting in local elections. But the idea of localism goes beyond voting. It’s a way of thinking and living that emphasizes the importance of physical space and in-person community. Through Front Porch Republic, “We are emphasizing the importance of face-to-face encounters with other human beings,” Dr. Mitchell told Know Why.

In today’s increasingly mobile, global age, face-to-face encounters are becoming less common. Even though many people tout the benefits of online or social media “communities,” Dr. Mitchell argues there can be no such thing.

“A real and legitimate community in its fullest sense requires sharing common space,” he said. “When our online technologies become substitutes for embodied presence, I think we’re in trouble.”

‘Restless Anxiety’

For examples of what kind of “trouble” substituting online “communities” for embodied community leads to, just consider the high rates of anxiety and loneliness among young generations today. Millennials and Gen Z are the most educated generations on record. Many were encouraged to “go far” and “follow dreams,” leading to the abandonment of hometowns for impressive degrees and careers. Happiness has not been their reward, however—but rather isolation, loneliness, and rootlessness.

What if more people chose to truly put down roots right where they are?

“A real and legitimate community in its fullest sense requires sharing common space.”

Dr. Mark T. Mitchell

“We surf. We scroll. All of this terminology is indicative of the kind of transient, unsettled, dissatisfied thumbing through life that is increasingly characterizing so many of our lives,” Dr. Mitchell told Know Why. “That’s no way to live, ultimately.”

“Restless anxiety keeps a people constantly searching—constantly scrolling you might say,” he said. And yet, “So many of the very best things in life are only realized in the wake of commitment.”

To Love Thy Neighbor, Know Thy Neighbor

While localism can help fulfill human needs of physical community and connection, it may also alleviate some of the nastiness of modern politics.

“So much of our political conversation obsesses with national politics, where partisanship is most profoundly obvious,” Dr. Mitchell said. But when more people are focused on working together to solve problems in their local communities, party differences start to matter less and less.

The first step on the path to engaging more with neighbors on local issues is opening yourself up to them—even if that means doing something as simple as sitting on your front porch to invite conversation. This may not always be convenient, but it’s necessary for robust local communities and real human connection.

“‘It’s easy to talk about love of humanity. It’s an abstraction,” Dr. Mitchell told Know Why. “The hard part is loving that bothersome person down the road, or a member of your own family.”

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Am I Placing Wholesomeness Above Holiness? Know About Political Engagement

Interview With Dr. James Spencer

In this episode, Dr. James Spencer, president of the D. L. Moody Center challenges Christians to reframe the way they interact with politics. As Dr. Spencer and Liberty discuss topics like cultural Christianity and Christian nationalism, Dr. Spencer argues that Christians’ political involvement should stem from a place of discipleship, not a desire for comfort. 

Wholesome vs. Holy

Dr. Spencer’s recent book, Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness, argues political action is often an effective means for loving God and loving our neighbor—the two greatest commandments in the Bible. But our motivation can be misplaced. For instance, as Christians, our motivation for getting involved in politics shouldn’t be “saving the culture” or restoring a cultural Christianity for our own comfort.

“Christians tend to settle for wholesomeness when only holiness will do,” Dr. Spencer said.

Won’t activism that is inspired by Christian principles have a positive effect on the culture? Dr. Spencer says that’s not guaranteed in Scripture.

“Our task is to be faithful regardless, and to allow God to do through us what we can’t see,” he told Know Why. That doesn’t mean our faithfulness won’t bear fruit—but it may not be in ways (or on timelines) we can see. “As we’re faithful, he’ll use that faithfulness across the generations.”

Christian Nation(alism)?

Many people use the term “Christian nation” to refer to America, due to strong Christian and theistic elements of its founding and history. But Dr. Spencer says we shouldn’t call America a Christian nation, since “Christian” has a precise definition that doesn’t apply to earthly governments.

“There’s a big distinction to be made between being inspired by the Bible and believing that the Bible is an inspired authority,” he said.

While he believes “Christian nationalism” is a “pejorative” often used to demean Christian political activists, he does believe that actual Christian nationalism is wrong. “I think that merging the church and the state is a fundamental theological error. The two simply do not go together,” he said.

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How Do I Contact My Elected Officials? Know About Political Engagement

Interview With Debbie Wuthnow (Part 2)

How do you make a difference after the election is over? Build relationships with your elected officials—even those in Washington, D.C. In the second part of her interview with Know Why, Debbie Wuthnow, president of iVoterGuide, offers tips on contacting your representatives and telling your story to make a difference.

Contacting Congress

Being an informed voter is one of the first steps to political engagement. But what about after the election is over? Debbie encourages listeners to contact their elected officials. It’s probably easier than you think! Listen to the episode or check the resources below for an easy-to-follow checklist that will help you communicate when your representatives effectively.


“Any issue that matters to you is worth an email or a phone call to your congressman.”

Debbie Wuthnow

“That’s all lobbying is, is telling your story … to your representative,” Debbie said. “That story is what will guide them.”

Sharing your story may not result in a total victory for for the issue you care about, but it could be enough to enlighten officials with a new perspective or motivate them to advocate for adjustments as they negotiate legislation with other lawmakers.

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Does One Vote Really Count? Know About Political Engagement

Interview With Debbie Wuthnow (Part 1)

Debbie Wuthnow joins the Know Why Podcast to discuss the many ways just one vote can make a difference. Debbie is the president of iVoterGuide, an organization that has equipped and educated millions of voters. In this episode, Part 1 of a two-part interview, Debbie shares stories of elections that were determined by a slim margin, and explains why votes are especially impactful in primary and local elections. She also provides practical tips and resources for finding information about your local elections and candidates.

The Power of One Vote

A national poll released by the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School showed a few months ago that young Americans are less likely to vote in the upcoming presidential election (November 2024) than they were in 2020. Many may feel like it’s pointless to vote.

Debbie told Know Why that every vote truly does matter, even in presidential elections. “Nationwide, 60,000 votes in a few key counties swung the presidential election in 2020,” she said.


“Your vote really does have power.”

Debbie Wuthnow

But in primary elections and local elections, one vote has even more impact. One in 20 registered voters participates in primary elections, Debbie said. That means your vote goes a long way in determining which candidates will ultimately face off. In local elections, including for offices like school board members and county judges, “average turnout is only 6% of registered voters,” she told Know Why.

How to Research Candidates

To find out when elections are in your area and who’s on the ballot, Debbie says to search online for your county name and “sample ballot.” You can also contact your county election office.

To begin researching candidates, one place to start is iVoterGuide.com. If iVoterGuide doesn’t have information on a particular candidate you’re looking for, you can also search candidates’ names online and on social media platforms. Debbie recommends reading what they write and seeing what events they attend to judge if their values align with yours.

Debbie also recommends following the money. Go to FEC.gov and search any federal candidate’s name to see campaign finance records, which must remain public by law. State and local campaign financial information must remain public. Google your state name and “campaign finance reporting” to find information. For financial information on local candidates, Debbie recommends starting with your county election office. Read more about researching candidates by clicking on the resources below.

Be sure to listen next week for Part 2 of Know Why’s interview with Debbie Wuthnow!

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How Can I Become An Informed Voter (Part 2)? Know About Political Engagement

Interview With Lisa Hendrickson

Primaries, propositions, and partisanship, oh my! Does political jargon make your head spin? In Part 2 of her interview with Know Why, campaign manager Lisa Hendrickson explains primaries, offers tips on staying engaged in between election cycles, and discusses the importance of finding common ground with your political opponents.

Inform Yourself

Lisa strongly encourages people to become more politically active. During election season, this includes voting in primary elections. Many people misunderstand primaries, or prefer to only vote in general elections, Lisa told Know Why. In her opinion, not participating in primaries is equivalent to letting someone else make important decisions for you.

She also encourages young adults to dedicate the time and energy to researching candidates for themselves to become truly informed. Even though it’s time-consuming, it’s worth it.


“It’s the day-to-day, moment by moment staying involved that makes a difference.”

Lisa Hendrickson

“You know more about the Kardashians or Taylor Swift, but will take no time to make sure you have freedom the next election cycle,” she said of people who don’t take the time to research candidates and issues.

Stay Engaged

While becoming an informed voter is arguably a first step to becoming politically engaged, Lisa told Know Why that staying active in between election cycles is just as important. “It’s the day-to-day, moment by moment staying involved that makes a difference,” she said. “It’s not just showing up in an election year, then going home.”

While Lisa doesn’t like the word “compromise,” she does believe it’s crucial to have civil conversations with political opponents in order to find common ground and make a difference in those areas. That can’t happen if opponents aren’t willing to talk.

“You need to sit at a table long enough with someone to find out what you can agree on,” she said.

Listen to Part 1 of Lisa’s interview with Know Why here.

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