As followers of Christ, we are called to engage the world around us with the unchanging gospel message of hope and reconciliation. Tools like technology are able to aid us in this pursuit. We know they can also be designed and used in ways that dishonor God and devalue our fellow image-bearers. Evangelical Christians hold fast to the inerrant and infallible Word of God, which states that every human being is made in God’s image and thus has infinite value and worth in the eyes of their Creator. This message dictates how we view God, ourselves, and the tools that God has given us the ability to create.
In light of existential questions posed anew by the emergent technology of artificial intelligence (AI), we affirm that God has given us wisdom to approach these issues in light of Scripture and the gospel message. Christians must not fear the future or any technological development because we know that God is, above all, sovereign over history, and that nothing will ever supplant the image of God in which human beings are created. We recognize that AI will allow us to achieve unprecedented possibilities, while acknowledging the potential risks posed by AI if used without wisdom and care.
We desire to equip the church to proactively engage the field of AI, rather than responding to these issues after they have already affected our communities. In light of this desire and hope, we offer the following affirmations and denials about the nature of humanity, the promise of technology, and the hope for the future.
Editor’s note: To read more about why we wrote this statement, read my post that originally ran at ERLC.com
Recommended Resources
The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity – by Jason Thacker
AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley and the New World Order – by Kai-Fu Lee
The Fourth Age: Smart Robots, Conscious Computers, and the Future of Humanity – by Byron Reese
Shaping a Digital World: Faith, Culture and Computer Technology – by Derek C. Schuurman
Transhumanism and the Image of God: Today’s Technology and the Future of Christian Discipleship – by Jacob Shatzer