Evangelizing Online and What AI Will Never Replace (Fr. Gregory Pine) | Ep. 519

Wed Apr 09 2025

Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. is an instructor of dogmatic and moral theology at the Dominican House of Studies and an Assistant Director of the Thomistic Institute. He holds a doctorate from the University of Fribourg (Switzerland). He is the co-author of...

Transcript

A (0:00)

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B (0:31)

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A (0:44)

Coming soon to Android the terminus like the end point of our conversation, our relationship is human communion. Like we might traffic in goods and services, but you can't spend a whole life trafficking in goods and services. Eventually you need to abide. Like you need to come home and you need to build a home with other human beings, whether in the setting of the family or the polis or the religious community or wherever. Like, we are made to be with others, to think about the same things, to love after the same manner, to congregate around goods such that we can genuinely commune in those goods. And I think that AI is just capable of kind of spinning off artifacts for our use. It can actually supply for our enjoyment in that terminal sense of human communion. And I think you can always tell when it's just use and when it doesn't kind of give way to enjoyment. And I think that that need is perennial. And I don't. I don't care how good the technology gets. I don't think that we're going to be satisfied with it.

B (1:43)

Were you ever the kind of Catholic that would make just like I just did, like an enthusiastic sound in prayer that would like frighten people around you sometimes.

A (1:51)

Yeah. I refer to them as glory groans.

B (1:55)

Didn't even know that you had thought about it enough to have a name for it.

A (1:58)

Yeah.

B (1:59)

I'm so excited to have in the studio.

A (2:01)

I'm delighted to be here. Choking on coffee.

B (2:04)

I'm excited because I have a cigar and I have coffee and I have wine.

A (2:09)

You're a raid with all the goods. I'm ready to go.

Summary

Pints With Aquinas #519: Evangelizing Online and What AI Will Never Replace (Fr. Gregory Pine)

Episode Overview

Theme:
In this engaging, free-flowing conversation, Matt Fradd welcomes Dominican priest and theologian Fr. Gregory Pine to explore the challenges, joys, and peculiarities of evangelizing and living the Catholic faith in the digital age. They discuss everything from the temptations of content creation and algorithmic pressure to the uniquely irreplaceable nature of genuine human encounter—and what artificial intelligence will never be able to mimic. Their discourse ranges over spiritual authenticity, the pitfalls and blessings of online ministry, personal quirks, and the spiritual wisdom of imperfection and peace.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Irreplaceable Role of Human Communion (00:44–01:43, 53:09–54:21)

Fr. Pine opens by reflecting on how technology—including AI—may offer us “artifacts for our use” but fundamentally cannot supply what he calls “terminal human communion.” Despite advances in tech, “we’re made to be with others … to genuinely commune in those goods. … I don’t care how good the technology gets. I don’t think that we’re going to be satisfied with it.”
Insight: No algorithm, app, or virtual space can fulfill the deep, perennial human longing for true presence, relationship, and joy.

2. Authenticity and Vulnerability in Online Evangelization (12:01–14:08, 19:55–21:12)

Both host and guest struggle honestly with the pressure of staying relevant or successful online. Matt confesses to feeling compelled to “keep getting, like, bigger name people on to keep that view count up,” worried about pursuing novelty instead of authentic conversations.
Fr. Pine unpacks his approach: “There is sometimes a kind of, like, sorrow that it isn’t bigger or that it isn’t more popular. But I think … you gotta be who you are and what you’re for.”
They discuss the challenge of avoiding “algorithmic refinement” that forces content creators to become formulaic or manipulative.
Notable Quote: “You can always tell when it’s just use and when it doesn’t kind of give way to enjoyment … That need [for real communion] is perennial.” (00:44)

3. Pressure, Identity, and the Spiritual Dangers of Online Ministry (14:21–20:16, 28:23–31:25)

Fr. Pine reflects on religious identity: “Who am I and what am I for? I’m a Dominican friar. I’m a Catholic priest … I feel the freedom to live my life, do the things for which I am tasked, and then contribute because it can be helpful, it can be fruitful.”
Both acknowledge the temptation to tie one's worth and identity to online success or visibility, but ultimately, both return to the primacy of vocation and relationships.
Matt: “I think I'm just gonna quit. … I'm free to quit—and I’m free not to quit.”
They share a lighthearted exchange about how, in the end, “we’re all kind of replaceable. Not to God, not to our immediate family, but to the wider digital audience.”

4. Manipulation vs. Attraction in Evangelization (32:30–34:05)

Fr. Pine: “I think there’s a difference between attracting and manipulating. To attract people, you’re giving them an accurate representation of what they’re going to find … whereas manipulating is just working within the bounds of the algorithm.”
There's a critical reflection on clickbait, sensationalism, and discernment regarding digital means.

5. The Spiritual Trap of Self-Deception and Metrics (34:56–37:44)

Matt: “There is this level of self-deception that we all have to some one degree or another … I don't know if I'm doing that.”
Fr. Pine: “The grind has a way of chastening us … at a certain point, it just doesn't make sense to pretend because it costs too much effort, takes too much time, wears you down too darn much.”

6. The Problems of Virtual Catholicism and Sacramental Reality (38:11–41:29)

Both lament when the Faith becomes over-theoretical online, losing concrete interaction with "the poverty of the parish."
Matt: “I’m afraid that we [are] maybe venturing too deeply into the virtual space … and I’m not actually dealing with the concrete other.”
Fr. Pine candidly recounts parish masses where “most of whom would rather die than hear a homily exceeding two and a half minutes,” underscoring the messiness and beauty of real parish life.

7. AI, Insight, and What Technology Cannot Replace (43:16–49:58)

Wide-ranging speculation on the future of AI-generated movies, podcasts, even books.
Fr. Pine provides a philosophical critique: AI can process and synthesize but cannot actually insight—it lacks participation in the “divine light.” Only conscious beings can truly understand and delight in reality.
Quote: “There are certain things for which the human mind and heart are made that aren’t processible. They’re only ever the fruit of insight.” (45:03)
He distinguishes pleasure from joy; AI may produce pleasure, but not the joy that comes from real creative communion.

8. On Podcasting, Self-Disclosure, and Imperfection (61:05–72:41)

Long-form, unedited conversations are valued precisely because they retain humanity—including imperfection, messiness, and awkwardness.
Matt: “Hopefully no one’s going to nail you down to something you said in a long-form discussion. … This is us just trying to grasp at conclusions.”
Vulnerability, not perfectionism, is the key to relatable and fruitful ministry and conversation.

9. The Freedom to Be Oneself (74:57–85:21)

Fr. Pine discusses his journey to comfort with his quirks and presenting as himself, both online and off, attributing much to a secure and loving family environment and the gift of religious community.
The importance of giving oneself and others “the grace to be weird,” especially within the broad bounds of Catholic orthodoxy.

10. Perfection, Peace, and the Spiritual Life (89:19–110:58)

The pair explore what Jesus meant by “Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect,” and how Catholics can find peace amidst their imperfection.
Pine: “The point for me as a human being isn’t to be impeccable. The point is to be Yours. … Convict me as to my dependence, convict me as to my reliance, because I’m here for that.” (98:53)
Strong recommendations for Jacques Philippe’s Searching for and Maintaining Peace and the spirituality of St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

11. Assurance of Salvation and Catholic Hope (110:58–116:28)

The tension between Protestant “once saved, always saved” and Catholic doctrine is discussed, with emphasis on authentic hope as “certainty born of the heart”—trusting God’s concrete, particular love for each person.
Fr. Pine: “What’s most important is to trust that God’s plans for me are good, … that his dealings with me are provident, are informed by love.”

12. The Wisdom of Balance, Play, and Humanity (152:00–164:05)

Fr. Pine describes his daily and weekly routines: walks, language learning, socializing with cigar-smoking, intentional retreats—demonstrating the need for play and leisure for spiritual and human flourishing.
Matt: “A surplus of theological knowledge will not compensate if you remove these very human activities from your life.”
Pine: “Bodies get tired … and when bodies get tired, minds get tired. You need to refresh your body and your mind.” (162:28)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

“You can always tell when it’s just use and when it doesn’t kind of give way to enjoyment. And I think that that need is perennial. I don’t care how good the technology gets. I don’t think that we’re going to be satisfied with it.”
—Fr. Gregory Pine (00:44)

“Who am I and what am I for? I’m a Dominican friar. … There is sometimes a kind of sorrow that it isn’t bigger or that it isn’t more popular. … But, you know, you’ve gotta be who you are and what you’re for.”
—Fr. Gregory Pine (14:08, 19:55)

“There’s a difference between attracting and manipulating. … The algorithm has its own standards and then humanity has its standards.”
—Fr. Gregory Pine (32:30)

“The grind has a way of chastening us and sobering us, because at a certain point it just doesn’t make sense to pretend … it costs too much effort, it takes too much time, it wears you down too darn much.”
—Fr. Gregory Pine (34:56)

“No algorithm, app, or virtual space can fulfill the deep, perennial human longing for true presence, relationship, and joy.”
—Summary (throughout, especially 53:09–54:21)

“Perfection in the spiritual life is not about being impeccable; it’s about dependence and consent to God’s work in us.”
—Summary from (98:53, 104:19)

“…Peace of heart is never to be lost. Because even losing our peace about losing our peace is unacceptable as well.”
—Matt Fradd with Jacques Philippe reference (103:41)

Timestamps for Important Segments

00:44–01:43 — The limitations of AI and the necessity of human communion.
12:01–14:08 — Dealing with pressure as a Catholic content creator.
28:23–31:25 — On the freedom and permission to quit, or not.
32:30–34:05 — Distinguishing attraction from manipulation in evangelization.
38:11–41:29 — The messiness and sanctity of real parish life vs. online experience.
45:03–49:58 — What AI can never do: Insights, creativity, and the “divine light.”
74:57–85:21 — Embracing quirks; the gift of being yourself in the Church.
89:19–110:58 — Perfection, peace, and hope; practical spirituality.
152:00–164:05 — Routine, play, and the importance of ordinary human goods.

Memorable Moments & Humor

Cigar banter and coupon codes: The pair humorously discuss the trials of buying cigars and the importance of using promo codes (02:16–03:40).
“Posterize” debate: Viewers ask if Fr. Pine would dunk on Matt in a hypothetical basketball scenario, leading to a lighthearted digression (210:02).
Favorite languages: Pine gives a whimsical rundown on which languages he finds most beautiful and why—even if it means confessing to being, perhaps, a little too earnest with language podcasts on his walks (153:05–157:09).

Closing Reflection

The heart of this episode is a call to deeper authenticity, a prioritizing of lived, sacramental, and relational encounters over digital virality or perfectionism. Both Matt and Fr. Pine return repeatedly to the wisdom of trusting God with the “here and now,” embracing one’s own vulnerability, and finding peace amidst imperfection. They remind listeners—whether evangelizing online or simply striving to be a saint in the everyday—that no digital platform, algorithm, or AI can ever substitute for the gift of real human presence and the restless yearning for divine communion.

Further Resources

Book Recommendation: Searching for and Maintaining Peace by Jacques Philippe (104:19)
Saintly Wisdom: The Little Way of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, especially on spiritual childhood and fulfillment in God.
Practical Step: Take intentional Sabbath/tech breaks, and prioritize in-person spiritual friendships and practices.

(Note: Ad spots and promotional reads have been excluded from this summary for focus on content.Questions from patrons are covered toward episode’s end in a lighthearted Q&A.)