AI and Faith: Navigating New Frontiers

James Brown

So, artificial intelligence—yeah—it’s not just a buzzword anymore. It’s become a part of everyday life, hasn’t it? And it’s not just out there in Silicon Valley or tucked away in tech conferences. It’s made its way into our homes, our workplaces—and even, for some of us, our churches. Now, for Christians, this raises a really interesting question: how do we, as followers of Christ, engage with something as complex and, let’s face it, as intimidating as AI?

James Brown

There’s this fascinating research from Barna. It highlights how Christian communities—pastors, congregations—are starting to use AI as a tool in ministry. Picture this: AI drafting sermons, guiding Bible studies, even helping translate Scripture into remote languages faster than we could’ve imagined. It feels like we’ve got an opportunity here—a real gift—to spread the gospel in ways that were, well, kind of unthinkable a decade ago.

James Brown

But, you know, with every opportunity comes a challenge, right? And AI, it brings some pretty weighty challenges to the table. One of the biggest concerns folks are grappling with is how this technology might affect our spiritual authenticity and, even deeper, our souls. AI, by design, reflects the priorities and biases of the people who create it. If these tools are built to respond to our deepest questions, then we’ve gotta ask ourselves—what kind of answers are they giving us? What’s shaping the information they provide? Are these tools drawing us closer to God, encouraging us to love our neighbors, or—I don’t know—are they pulling us into something a little more hollow?

James Brown

I mean, think about it. Soul formation has always been deeply relational, right? It’s grounded in community, in worship, in those messy, deeply human interactions with one another and with our Creator. But AI? It’s devoid of that. It’s not human, it’s not relational, and it definitely doesn’t have a soul. So when we, as Christians, start relying on it as a spiritual partner, are we missing out on something foundational to our faith?

James Brown

And another thing—there’s this idea of trust. Trust is sacred in any faith journey, and AI, well, it doesn’t always get things right, does it? It mirrors its programming, and that programming can be biased or incomplete. So, are we placing our trust in a tool that reflects the fallibility of humanity? Or are we discerning enough to see it strictly as an assistant, not a source of spiritual truth?

James Brown

So, yeah, there’s a ton to unpack here. And Christians are doing some deep thinking about it, let me tell you. There’s this awareness building that while AI might help us share information—it’s never gonna replace the embodied experiences of worship, the physical act of breaking bread together, or those quiet moments when the Holy Spirit moves within us.

James Brown

We’re being reminded that our faith isn’t about convenience or efficiency; those are things AI excels at, sure, but our walk with God? That’s a process. It’s messy, and it’s hard. And maybe, just maybe, that’s exactly how God intended it to be.

James Brown

Alright, let’s delve a little deeper now, into the heart of the matter—the ethics of AI. You know, when we talk about ethics and AI in the context of Christianity, there are some real, uh, thorny questions sitting at the table. And one of them is this question of influence. See, AI has the ability to shape beliefs—mine, yours—and that, well, it can get pretty tricky, right? For instance, what happens if the algorithms feeding us information are subtly steering our thoughts or beliefs? When it comes to faith, that—that raises some huge red flags.

James Brown

And, let’s face it, the people creating these systems, they’re not impartial. These tools, well, they inherit the values, the priorities, and even the blind spots of their creators. So now the question becomes: if AI gives spiritual guidance, whose moral compass is it following? Is it shaped by the Word of God or by someone’s coding biases? Does it reflect, you know, divine wisdom or just the cultural trends of the moment? It’s, uh, it’s enough to give anyone pause.

James Brown

Now, here’s the thing: debates are raging on this front between theologians, ethicists, and tech professionals. Some argue that, as long as we treat AI as a mere tool—a means to an end—it’s harmless. But others, well, they go deeper, asking questions about its impact on our spiritual formation. I mean, can a program that lacks a soul help us find ours? Can it encourage us to grow closer to God or, in fact, lead us astray? The answers, they aren’t so simple, are they?

James Brown

But here’s what I wanna focus on—where do we, as followers of Christ, draw the line? What boundaries do we set to ensure our reliance on AI doesn’t diminish our relationship with God or, you know, with each other? Because faith, at its core, is relational. And that’s something I think we’ve gotta protect.

James Brown

You see, in the Bible, we learn that God calls us to love, not just through words but through actions—real, tangible acts of kindness, service, and fellowship. Those moments of shared faith, whether it's a hug or a communal meal—they’re irreplaceable. But AI? Yeah, it—it doesn’t offer that. It might emulate empathy, but it doesn’t feel it. And we’re—we’re meant to feel, you know? To connect, to bear one another’s burdens. That’s not something you can code into a machine.

James Brown

And look, I—I understand the allure here. Technology, it promises to make everything easier, faster. But our walk with God... it’s just not about efficiency, is it? It’s about being present. And when we let AI creep into our spiritual lives, we risk trading that messiness—the discomfort, the growth—for something, well, kind of shallow. And honestly? That’s a trade I just don’t think we can afford to make.

James Brown

So, let’s talk about balance—technology and spirituality. You know, for a lot of us, this isn’t just a question about convenience or the latest gadget. This is about how these tools shape our faith traditions, our spiritual practices, and even the way we see our relationship with God. And to add another layer to this, there’s a real divide in how generations respond to AI in their spiritual lives. Younger folks, they’re growing up with digital everything, right? It feels natural to them. They’re open to, say, using an app to help guide a Bible study or generate prayer prompts. But for others—maybe you’re one of them—there’s a lot more caution. And honestly, I get it. This is new ground, and new ground? It can feel shaky.

James Brown

But I think the real question isn’t about age or whether you grew up with a smartphone in your hand. It’s about intention. If we’re going to integrate AI into our spiritual practices, we’ve gotta ask ourselves—what *kind* of impact is this making? Are we using these tools to supplement our faith journey or to replace what’s deeply relational? To me, the line seems clear: AI can assist us, sure, but it can’t do the heavy lifting of our spiritual growth. That’s heart work, not machine work.

James Brown

And that gets me thinking—what would it look like to design AI tools that align with Christian principles? I mean, can these tools encourage humility, patience, and generosity? Could they really reflect the values of community and human connection? I’ll be honest—there’s room for hope here, but also a need for wisdom. These tools must be transparent, impartial, and rooted in truth, and I believe Christians in tech have a responsibility, even a calling, to shape this space with thoughtful intention.

James Brown

But here’s the thing—relying on AI too much, even in the best-designed ways, comes with risks. That’s why critical thinking—yeah, that’s key. We’ve gotta be mindful, discerning. Before we ask what AI can do for our faith lives, let’s remind ourselves: our faith isn’t digital, it’s sacred. And sacred things? They’re lived out in real relationships: in families, in churches, in communities, on the messy and beautiful paths we walk together.

James Brown

I think the takeaway here is this: technology is a tool, not a substitute. Use it wisely, sure, but don’t let it pull you out of what’s real and true. Focus on God, not on the distractions this world throws at you, even if they come in shiny, high-tech packages. And remember, sometimes the most meaningful encounters with the divine happen, not in convenience, but in the messy, untidy, deeply human parts of life.

James Brown

And on that note, that’s all for today, folks. As always, it’s been a joy sharing this time with you. Stay thoughtful, stay grounded, and, well, stay faithful. I’ll see you next time. Take care.