Dr. Chris Palmer Explains What Happens When Society Abandons God

Dr. Chris Palmer joins the Kent Ingle Podcast for a thought-provoking conversation about faith, philosophy, artificial intelligence, and what happens when society begins to live without God.

Dr. Chris Palmer is the Dean of the Barnett College of Ministry and Theology at Southeastern University and the author of A World Without God: The Search for Meaning in a Society Overwhelmed by Despair. He shares what inspired him to write the book after noticing a growing sense of hopelessness and what he describes as passive nihilism, where people are increasingly living without a clear sense of meaning, purpose, or hope.

The conversation explores how social media, artificial intelligence, and constant access to information are changing the way people think, believe, and engage with the world. Chris explains why having more information than ever before has not necessarily produced greater wisdom or stronger faith, and why pastors and Christian leaders must rethink how they communicate truth to the next generation.

Dr. Palmer and Dr. Kent Ingle also tackle some of today's biggest questions. What happens when God is no longer the foundation of truth and morality? Why are people turning to spirituality, technology, and alternative beliefs to find meaning? And how can Christians share Jesus with a generation that increasingly questions absolute truth?

Chris also reflects on his personal journey of discovering God through Scripture and explains why authentic faith requires more than knowledge. It requires a genuine relationship with Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit, and a life that demonstrates what we believe.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why society is struggling to find meaning and purpose

• What passive nihilism is and how it affects our culture

• How social media, AI, and information overload shape our beliefs

• Why more information does not always produce stronger faith

• How pastors can communicate truth in a changing culture

• Why living out your faith is more powerful than winning arguments

• Why younger generations are exploring spirituality and alternative beliefs

• What happens to morality when God is removed from society

• Why Jesus is the foundation of truth, meaning, and purpose

• How Scripture and the Holy Spirit transform lives

If you have ever questioned your purpose, struggled to understand what is true, or wondered how to live out your faith in today's culture, this conversation is a reminder that lasting meaning and purpose are ultimately found in Jesus Christ.

Chapters:

00:00 Coming Up

00:45 Welcome and Introduction to Dr. Chris Palmer

01:40 Why Chris Palmer Wrote A World Without God

06:52 Why More Information Is Not Producing Stronger Faith

09:32 Social Media Algorithms, Radicalization, and Modern Preaching

13:24 Preparing Christian Leaders to Share Jesus in Today's Culture

18:52 Why Living Out Your Faith Is More Powerful Than Arguments

21:01 Why People Believe in Spirituality, Aliens, and AI but Question God

25:19 What Happens to Morality When Society Rejects God?

27:00 Is Truth Relative? Finding Meaning and Purpose in Jesus

32:19 Finding Hope and Purpose Through Scripture

34:47 Preparing the Next Generation of Christian Leaders

37:31 Final Thoughts With Dr. Chris Palmer

Guest: Dr. Chris Palmer

Check out A World Without God: The Search for Meaning in a Society Overwhelmed by Despair wherever books are sold.

https://zondervanacademic.com/products/a-world-without-god

Learn more about the Barnett College of Ministry and Theology at Southeastern University:

https://www.seu.edu/

Follow Dr. Chris Palmer on Instagram: @chrispalmer

Follow the Barnett College of Ministry and Theology on Instagram: @seuministrytheology

Follow me on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kent_ingle/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kent.in