For more than twenty years, social media and data mining algorithms have driven how we think and respond. Has the contemporary Church lost our understanding regarding the importance of our minds being renewed in Christ?

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God charges his children to learn how to think on good things. Philippians 4:8 says, Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (ESV). The Greek word for “think” in this often-taught scripture is logizomai, which is defined as “to reckon or to consider.”  It is taken from the word logos, about which John 1:1 – 2 says, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. The He revealed in verse 2 of John 1 speaks to Yeshua having been the logos who was from the beginning, is, and will always be. As humans made in GOD’s image, we are created, gifted, and charged with thinking and exploring by method of inquisition, so that our thoughts are the result of God’s logos: the Word.

Enter Artificial Intelligence (AI), defined by Britannica as a term “frequently applied to the project of developing systems endowed with the intellectual processes characteristic of humans, such as the ability to reason, discover meaning, generalize, or learn from past experience.”  The debate about AI has ignited important discussions about man’s capacity for thought, and whether our capacity should be outsourced to man’s own inventions.

There are many important questions to consider, including:

• Is the “logos” programmed in AI replacing being led by the Spirit of GOD Himself?
• Can biblical morality be programmed into AI?
• Is A.I. a threat to Christian ethics?
• What effect will A.I. have on learning and teaching the Bible, searching and meditating on the Word ourselves?

Recently, Faithwire reported on an American Bible Society survey that looked at what people of differing standpoints feel about A.I. and its effect on how the Bible and morality are taught.

We looked at things like, ‘Can AI be relied on for moral reasoning?’ or, ‘Would you be against AI helping your pastor to prepare his sermon or perhaps preparing the sermon and your pastor just delivering it?’ — things like that,’ Plake said. ‘We asked, ‘Do you believe that AI goes against biblical teaching?

Their findings were sorted by age and level of consistent engagement with scripture. Those who engaged with scripture more often were less supportive of the rise of A.I., less optimistic about A.I.’s future benefits, less likely to believe it aids in moral reasoning, and less like to see it as a tool for promoting spiritual health.

Dr. John Plake, chief program officer at the American Bible Society goes on to explain that the majority of people, not just scripture-engaged Christians, are generally doubtful of A.I. having anything to offer from a moral standpoint. “People who are more engaged with Scripture tend to be more skeptical of artificial intelligence,” Plake said, “And I think part of that is that they’re tuned into moral hazards that come about when we think about machines doing our thinking for us.”

However, people who are open to Christianity while not being particularly engaged with scripture, a population referred to as the Movable Middle, are warmer to the idea of AI-led spirituality. “The Movable Middle (…) are more likely to believe AI might enhance their spiritual practices and health, possibly indicating a desire to connect with God and Scripture with the right tool,” a press release read.

While many are in agreement about the emptiness of A.I when it comes to moral potential, there are still those who see it as an avenue for ethical decision-making.  As believers in Christ and followers of Him, how should we consider the idea of AI being a beneficial or necessary tool for deepening intimacy with Christ?  Can anything that is man-programmed technology result in our minds being renewed, so that we logizomai, think, decide, conclude, suppose, consider absent total dependence upon the Spirit of GOD giving us understanding?

Twenty years ago, AI was a novelty — the Deep Blue IBM computer that finally beat world chess champion Garry Kasparov after six attempts. Now it is a tool some in the Church consider necessary to do things better. The question is, will AI take over or deceive many?

If the Church wants to preserve the integrity of scripture from an AI takeover, biblical literacy and critical thinking must be defended in both the cultural and digital realms.  Our best weapon is and will always be Holy Spirit-led biblical literacy for thinking men and women. John 14:26 teaches about the Holy Spirit, But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

Pray that the Ecclesia remains steadfast in our pursuit of GOD through His Word, by whom we have access to think (logizomai) about, consider, and discern all that is true, honorable, just, and pure.

What do you think of artificial intelligence? Share your thoughts and prayers below.

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