Within Christianity, there is an ongoing debate as to whether artificial intelligence should be openly invited to play an important role in our daily spiritual walk. Though there will be solid arguments on both sides of the debate, let me offer some thoughts in the key areas of wisdom and dependence.
Wisdom
There is no doubt that life is complex and in order to navigate the serious financial, emotional, physical and spiritual decisions that we are faced with daily, we need wisdom. One psychologist recently reported that in counselling sessions, they noticed a growing trend whereby patients are turning to AI tools in order to solve their relationship problems or overcome other psychological roadblocks. Viewing AI tools as somewhat akin to an objective second brain, there is growing public sentiment that they are convenient, resourceful, and helpful when looking for quick solutions. Although, there are comical limitations.
I recently encountered “Apostle Stephen,” an online chatbot created by the Redeemed Christian Church of God. When I clicked the suggested question, “How soon is the rapture?” the chatbot responded by saying: “Greetings! I am Apostle Stephen, here to share the word of our Lord Jesus Christ with you. Before I answer your question regarding the rapture, may I kindly ask for your name, email, and phone number? Thank you!” Not willing to share my personal data with a chatbot, it appears I will have to forsake the “Apostle’s” views in relation to the imminency of the rapture.
When it comes to the usefulness of AI, what we need to recognise as Christians is that AI is able to provide data, but it certainly cannot provide wisdom. When it comes to Biblical wisdom, in the New Testament, “sophia” (the Greek word for “wisdom”) is used frequently to describe somebody who grasps the reality of a situation as God sees it and then acts in harmony with God’s will. In other words, wisdom is the ability to judge the best course of action based on the correct application of knowledge and understanding. With that in mind, let me point you to Proverbs 2:6 which says this: “For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
Technology has its place in our lives and it undoubtedly assists us in ministry if harnessed in the right way. However, technology must not be a substitute for God’s wisdom. Proverbs 3:5-7: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil.”
The wise Christian is the one who views life in the light of God’s revelation, not their own and certainly not that derived from collective data sources which lack spiritual discernment.
Dependence
Earlier this year, Barna Group (in partnership with Gloo) released new research which focused on the trends emerging in the field of faith and AI. That research revealed that nearly one in three U.S. adults – with the figure sitting at two in five among Gen Z and Millennials — say spiritual advice from AI is as trustworthy as advice from a pastor.
My concern is that the worrying dependence upon AI for spiritual guidance will lead to people being tossed to and fro as the available data is changed. If you are going to outsource your Biblical worldview to data that is subject to change and manipulation, you are weakening your dependence on the Word of God and increasing your dependence on data which can be faulty.
In the field of wearable AI-tech, Glorify (a Christian daily devotional app) and Confidein (an AI hardware and faith technology company) have recently joined forces under the Glorify brand. The centrepiece of this merger is the Glorify Ring that combines conventional smart-ring hardware with faith-specific features. Users of this technology can tap the ring against a smartphone to receive an AI-matched Bible verse or prayer based on their selected emotional state. The ring also delivers gentle vibrations as reminders for prayer, devotions, or reflection, while tracking spiritual habits such as prayer duration and consistency.
Although I do not wish to be critical of the designer’s overall intention to provide a service which helps Christians in their daily walk, my concern again lies in the fact that we are forsaking the tools God has provided in pursuit of a technology that makes us increasingly dependent upon it rather than God.
For example, on the Glorify website, one section says: “The ring becomes your spiritual anchor. Notifications, verses, and community moments arrive when you need them most.” Firstly, I believe it is important that we uphold Jesus as our spiritual anchor, not a ring. Secondly, in relation to our moment by moment walk, there is a risk that the user would rely more upon the prompting of the ring rather than the prompting of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
In closing, let me say this. Artificial intelligence, rightly subordinated through the exercise of responsible stewardship, may be a useful tool. But if, in the life of a believer, it displaces the spiritual tools which God has provided, it has the potential to subtly but surely lead people astray.
