Witness the fact that preachers have already tapped into AI to write sermons. And one church recently allowed the entire sermon to be both written and delivered solely by artificial intelligence. Other than igniting the computer driven procedure, no flesh and blood minister was involved in the process.
(As one who both writes and delivers sermons, I doubt seriously that I will ever be accused of employing AI in my own preparation. For this to happen, my messages would first need to reflect some semblance of intelligence –something of which I am rarely accused!)
When it comes to AI, hearing from the Lord through the words of a sermon is one thing. But hearing from Him in a one-on-one conversation is quite another. And yet, it seems that this is exactly what is being proposed in a provocative new app.
Kurt Knutsson, in his CyberGuy Report for Fox News earlier today, shared the following article: “Controversial New AI App Allows You To Text With Jesus – And Satan: Blurring The Digital Divide: Faith Meets Futuristic Chatbots”.
Here are a few of Knutsson’s observations…
It's not every day that the spiritual realm intersects with smartphone tech. But in the era of Chatbots and AI, even the biblical figures aren't immune. Welcome to the world of "Text With Jesus," where you're just a tap away from a conversation with the holy – and, for a price, the not-so-holy.
For those longing for a more personal connection to their faith, this app might be the digital salvation they're seeking. Designed with devoted Christians in mind, "Text With Jesus" promises interaction with figures like Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Peter and Matthew. This app wears its spirituality on its screen, guiding you through its queries with responses mined from the depths of the Bible's rich text.
There's a certain audacity in allowing you to go beyond the traditional interactions one might expect. Although the full range of figures and unlimited messaging are only available to premium subscribers, the app is free to download and use on all eligible devices. By shelling out just $2.99/month, you can embark on a journey through some of the Bible's more intricate dialogues, like Adam and Eve's narrative or the dawn of humanity…
Beyond its novelty, "Text With Jesus" opens up a dialogue on the evolving nature of faith in our increasingly digital world. For some, it might offer solace in moments of solitude, providing scripture-based advice at the touch of a button. For others, it may serve as a curious exploration into how technology can shape, transform or even distort ancient teachings.
"Our app is a tool for exploration, education, and engagement with biblical narratives, and it is not intended to replace or mimic direct communication with divine entities, which is a deeply personal aspect of one's faith," the app creators say on their website. "The AI-powered app does not claim to provide actual divine insights or possess any form of divine consciousness, but simply uses its language model to generate responses based on a wide corpus of biblical and religious texts."
With this in mind, "Text With Jesus" might be the forerunner in a digital faith movement, a beacon lighting the way for a new kind of spiritual exploration. The amalgamation of centuries-old teachings and modern tech poses fascinating queries about the evolution of faith in a digitized age.
If "Text With Jesus" is any indication, the convergence of technology and spirituality is only in its infancy. The future might see virtual reality church services, AI-generated sermons tailored to individual beliefs, or augmented reality Bible studies offering immersive experiences of ancient stories. As this melding continues, it's vital to tread carefully, ensuring that the core tenets of faith are preserved amidst the dazzle of technology.
I’ll leave it up to my readers to decide whether this entire undertaking is good or bad. But I can assure you that one does not need an Artificial Intelligence driven app to communicate with the God of the Bible!
He has made Himself known to us through His Word. What is more, His Spirit speaks to our hearts directly whenever we undertake a serious reading of His Word. And on top of this, we have been assured that we can boldly approach His throne of grace in prayer and communicate with Him whenever we desire. He is always approachable. He is always reachable. He is always responsive. Given that we have this high privilege, why would anyone accept a substitute?
Oh, there is one more thing. As you decide whether or not “Text With Jesus” is for you, take into consideration the app's most controversial feature: conversations with Satan himself!
According to Knutsson…
Expectations can be deceiving, especially in the world of AI. Satan, historically the symbol of temptation and deceit, dons a surprisingly mellow avatar in this app. Users anticipating fiery dialogues or cunning deceptions might be left scratching their heads. Instead, the Prince of Darkness champions love, respect and understanding — values synonymous with biblical virtues.
Oh well, in his second New Testament Letter to the Corinthians (chapter 11, verse 14), the Apostle Paul tells us that Satan himself very often masquerades as an angel of light! Given this, my strong suspicion is that he is just fine with being portrayed in such a fashion.
But if we truly talk this matter over with the Lord, we will find that He is not! Any such depiction of Satan is clearly artificial. It has to be; for it is not genuine!
STORY SOURCE: https://www.foxnews.com/tech/controversial-ai-app-allows-text-jesus-satan.
SEE ALSO: https://cyberguy.com/news/chatgpt-is-finding-itself-everywhere-now-in-churches-and-synagogues/.
SCRIPTURE SOURCE: https://biblehub.com/2_corinthians/11-14.htm.