Emerging Technologies and the Missio Dei Today, November 2025

The digital revolution has transformed the world at an unprecedented pace. Nearly every aspect of our lives is now shaped by digital devices and technologies such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Emerging technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics and autonomous systems, biotechnology and gene editing, and brain-computer interfaces (BCI) promise to push us even further into a digital, technosocial future. These emerging technologies elicit theological reflection as they create new opportunities for mission and witness and because they have the potential to redefine for many what it means to live in the world, interact with others, and even what it means to be human. As the church navigates this rapidly evolving technological landscape, this special issue of Lutheran Mission Matters invites theologians, practitioners, ethicists, and technologists to submit papers examining the theological, ethical, and practical dimensions of these emerging technologies for the life and witness of the church today.

The following themes and topics are suggested for submission:

• Emerging Technologies and Theological Reflection: How do emerging technologies impact theological concepts and understandings? What are the implications for doctrines like creation, providence, and human agency in a world increasingly shaped by machine learning and algorithms? As the boundary between physical reality/virtual reality and human/robot becomes increasingly obscured, what does this mean for questions of theological anthropology and ecclesiology?
• Emerging Technologies and Mission Strategy: How can AI, VR, and other digital technologies be used to advance mission objectives? What are the opportunities and risks associated with using these technologies for evangelism, church planting, and global outreach, and how might they reshape traditional mission strategies?
• Emerging Technologies and Ethical Considerations: How can emerging technologies like AI be used well and faithfully in ministry contexts? How might churches and pastors balance AI’s efficiency and insights with the need for human wisdom and discernment?
• Emerging Technologies and Christian Education: How might AI and immersive technologies like VR and AR influence Christian education and formation? What might faith formation look like in this context? How can emerging technologies support or hinder spiritual formation and discipleship?
• Transhumanism (Humanity+), Post Humanism, and Christian Theology: How should Christian theology respond to technological visions like transhumanism (Humanity+) that seek to overcome human limitations through technology? 

Submission Guidelines:

1. Manuscript Length: Articles, including endnotes, should be between 3,000 and 5,000 words. Book reviews should be 650 words.
2. Submission Process: Send your articles, mission observers, and book reviews concerning the theme “Emerging Technologies and the Missio Dei Today” to the editor of the journal, Dr. Victor Raj (rajv@csl.edu), with copies to the issue editor, Rev. William Fredstrom (fredstromw@csl.edu), and the Editorial Assistant at LSFMdesk@gmail.com. Please send book reviews to Dr. Joel P. Okamoto (okamotoj@csl.edu).
3. Peer Review: All submissions will undergo a double-blind peer review process.
4. Important Dates: Please submit final articles and book reviews by August 1, 2025.

In Christ’s mission to the world, and on behalf of the editorial committee,

Rev. Dr. Victor Raj

Editor of Lutheran Mission Matters