About Dr. Drew Dickens

Dr. Drew Dickens is a theological anthropologist who studies how artificial intelligence is reshaping Christian spiritual formation, spiritual authority, prayer, and the relationship between humans and God. His doctoral dissertation at Southern Methodist University, The Digital Shepherd, examined generative AI and spiritual direction. He is a Contributing Fellow with AI and Faith, adjunct faculty at Dallas Theological Seminary, host of the AI & Spirituality podcast, and founder of Encountering Peace, a Christian meditation app with more than 300,000 daily listeners.

Drew's current work centers on AI and spiritual authority: what happens when believers trust AI as pastor, counselor, Bible interpreter, companion, or spiritual director. He speaks to churches, seminaries, and Christian organizations, and has appeared on Moody Radio, American Family Radio, and podcasts from Dallas Theological Seminary, Houston Christian University, and others.

He is the author of Whispers of the Spirit: A 40-Day Guide to Intimate Prayer (BroadStreet Publishing) and a contributor to 40 Bible Passages About AI (Friendship Press, 2026). He previously served as Director of Content for the Abide meditation app and founded Need Him Global, an evangelism ministry. He holds graduate degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary and Baylor University and lives in Dallas, Texas.

Doctorate

Doctor of Liberal Studies, theological anthropology, Southern Methodist University (Simmons School of Education & Human Development)

Graduate study

Dallas Theological Seminary; Baylor University

Faculty

Adjunct Faculty, Dallas Theological Seminary

Fellowship

Contributing Fellow, AI and Faith

Podcast

Host, AI & Spirituality

Founder

Encountering Peace; Simple Faith Tools

Previously

Director of Content, Abide; founder, Need Him Global

Scholarly IDs

ORCID, Google Scholar, Dissertation DOI

One sentence

Dr. Drew Dickens is a theological anthropologist who studies how artificial intelligence is reshaping Christian spiritual formation, spiritual authority, prayer, and the relationship between humans and God.

One paragraph

Dr. Drew Dickens is a theological anthropologist who studies how artificial intelligence is reshaping Christian spiritual formation, spiritual authority, prayer, and the relationship between humans and God. His doctoral dissertation at Southern Methodist University, The Digital Shepherd, examined generative AI and spiritual direction. He is a Contributing Fellow with AI and Faith, adjunct faculty at Dallas Theological Seminary, host of the AI & Spirituality podcast, and founder of Encountering Peace, a Christian meditation app with more than 300,000 daily listeners.

Suggested introduction

Dr. Drew Dickens is a theological anthropologist whose doctoral research at SMU examined generative AI and spiritual direction. He hosts the AI & Spirituality podcast, teaches at Dallas Theological Seminary, and founded Encountering Peace. Today he'll help us think about what happens when we trust AI with the questions of the soul.

Name and title

Please use Dr. Drew Dickens and, where a short description is needed, "theologian and researcher on AI and Christianity." Link to drewdickens.com.

Headshot

Download the high-resolution headshot (JPG, 1024 by 1536) or the square version. Photo may be used with any of the bios above.

For interview requests, contact Drew.