Audio By Carbonatix

We live in an ever-advancing society where AI has surpassed smartphones, Apple and Android, and television streaming platforms. But with these technological advancements have come many concerns: What are the moral, ethical, and spiritual implications of AI within the Church? Furthermore, how can faith leaders get ahead and use this to the Gospel's benefit as technology continues to evolve? 

While AI is useful and brilliant to some degree, Christian Today reports that it also comes with caveats. Nick Kim, a Christian technologist who has over 20 years of experience working in the technology sector, including jobs with Google and YouTube, explains that AI is a powerful, ever-evolving beast: It can make our lives easier, but it also poses a threat to our own human development, creativity, and intelligence. 

“AI is fundamentally different from any other invention because it is taking our most prized asset, our intelligence, and we are now outsourcing it to a machine,” Kim said.

While all aspects of society will continue to thrive or diminish with its use and understanding of AI, Christians are met with a challenge. How can we use this tool to further enhance the Gospel? 

"So this is a prime opportunity for the Church to then not be backfooted but really lead the charge in this area and leverage this technology for the Kingdom of God and something good,” furthers Kim. 

Because AI cannot distinguish right from wrong, or good from bad, this is why it's crucial that the Church exemplify using AI righteously. Our goal should be to help create a positive framework for using this device, while also being careful that it doesn't become an idol. Like any good thing abused, we need to align AI usage with biblical principles and sound theology. 

As ministers of the Gospel, we need to be AI-enhanced and educated, but not AI-dependent. Use AI to personalize spiritual growth plans, create stunning content, and transcribe meetings, but don't let it replace your dependence on Christ, ability to discern, or make big decisions. Don't take a backseat while the world advances; rather, treat this change with care. 

Ask yourself:

• Am I using this tool to glorify God or ignore difficult thinking?
• Am I verifying what AI produces, or am I blindly trusting it?
• Do I run to AI first for advice, or God?
• Would the person on the other side of the screen feel seen, known, and valued if they knew AI helped me?
• Is AI shaping my shapes, habits, and time in ways that draw me closer to God or distract me from His presence?

AI is a beautiful opportunity to create ethical stories of truth, redemption, and growth, but we must move forward with caution. Technology will continue to grow, change, and adapt, but we can root ourselves in the one who never changes:  "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8, NIV). 

Ideas, strange teachings, and advancements will continue to infiltrate our society. But just like those in the book of Hebrews, we must remember to cling to what is true, lasting, and stable. Through Jesus, let us evaluate our next steps, and through Christ alone, may He show us how to digitally disciple well. 

Amber Ginter is a teacher-turned-author who loves Jesus, her husband Ben, and granola. Growing up Amber looked for faith and mental health resources and found none. Today, she offers hope for young Christians struggling with mental illness that goes beyond simply reading your Bible and praying more. Because you can love Jesus and still suffer from anxiety. You can download her top faith and mental health resources for free to help navigate books, podcasts, videos, and influencers from a faith lens perspective. Visit her website at amberginter.com.

Audio By Carbonatix

We live in an ever-advancing society where AI has surpassed smartphones, Apple and Android, and television streaming platforms. But with these technological advancements have come many concerns: What are the moral, ethical, and spiritual implications of AI within the Church? Furthermore, how can faith leaders get ahead and use this to the Gospel's benefit as technology continues to evolve? 

While AI is useful and brilliant to some degree, Christian Today reports that it also comes with caveats. Nick Kim, a Christian technologist who has over 20 years of experience working in the technology sector, including jobs with Google and YouTube, explains that AI is a powerful, ever-evolving beast: It can make our lives easier, but it also poses a threat to our own human development, creativity, and intelligence. 

“AI is fundamentally different from any other invention because it is taking our most prized asset, our intelligence, and we are now outsourcing it to a machine,” Kim said.

While all aspects of society will continue to thrive or diminish with its use and understanding of AI, Christians are met with a challenge. How can we use this tool to further enhance the Gospel? 

"So this is a prime opportunity for the Church to then not be backfooted but really lead the charge in this area and leverage this technology for the Kingdom of God and something good,” furthers Kim. 

Because AI cannot distinguish right from wrong, or good from bad, this is why it's crucial that the Church exemplify using AI righteously. Our goal should be to help create a positive framework for using this device, while also being careful that it doesn't become an idol. Like any good thing abused, we need to align AI usage with biblical principles and sound theology. 

As ministers of the Gospel, we need to be AI-enhanced and educated, but not AI-dependent. Use AI to personalize spiritual growth plans, create stunning content, and transcribe meetings, but don't let it replace your dependence on Christ, ability to discern, or make big decisions. Don't take a backseat while the world advances; rather, treat this change with care. 

Ask yourself:

• Am I using this tool to glorify God or ignore difficult thinking?
• Am I verifying what AI produces, or am I blindly trusting it?
• Do I run to AI first for advice, or God?
• Would the person on the other side of the screen feel seen, known, and valued if they knew AI helped me?
• Is AI shaping my shapes, habits, and time in ways that draw me closer to God or distract me from His presence?

AI is a beautiful opportunity to create ethical stories of truth, redemption, and growth, but we must move forward with caution. Technology will continue to grow, change, and adapt, but we can root ourselves in the one who never changes:  "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8, NIV). 

Ideas, strange teachings, and advancements will continue to infiltrate our society. But just like those in the book of Hebrews, we must remember to cling to what is true, lasting, and stable. Through Jesus, let us evaluate our next steps, and through Christ alone, may He show us how to digitally disciple well. 

Amber Ginter is a teacher-turned-author who loves Jesus, her husband Ben, and granola. Growing up Amber looked for faith and mental health resources and found none. Today, she offers hope for young Christians struggling with mental illness that goes beyond simply reading your Bible and praying more. Because you can love Jesus and still suffer from anxiety. You can download her top faith and mental health resources for free to help navigate books, podcasts, videos, and influencers from a faith lens perspective. Visit her website at amberginter.com.