By Pastor Stephen Hess –
Since the early part of this year, one of the stories that has been dominating the headlines has been the massive advancements in artificial intelligence technologies. New chatbots such as “Chat GPT” have shocked the world with their ability to generate information and engage in conversation with human-like abilities. Many are speculating that we are rapidly entering an era where it will be difficult—if not impossible—to determine whether our online interactions are with a human or an AI enhanced bot.
These new technologies have introduced a flood of new moral and ethical questions: Are these technologies helpful for society or could they be dangerous? How do we prevent these technologies from being used for harmful purposes even as we acknowledge their potential benefits? Most importantly, how should Christians think through the use of these technologies as they become more common in our everyday lives?
We must start by recognizing that technology in and of itself is morally neutral. When God created mankind, he gave them dominion over the earth, and this included the ability to create technology. In fact, in the early chapters of Genesis we see human beings creating dwellings, musical instruments, and tools, which are all forms of technology (Gen. 4:19-22). None of these things are sinful but are merely extensions of God’s command to work, to be fruitful, and to multiply. The Lord has gifted us with the ability to create the incredible technology we see today.
As history has unfolded, there have been new technological advancements with every age. One thing that has become clear is that technology is usually a double-edged sword. While most technologies can be used for good purposes, they can also be used for harmful purposes. For example, advancements in nuclear technology have opened the way for new sources of energy that many argue are desperately needed, but these same technologies have opened the way for weapons of mass destruction that could wipe out civilization. Similarly, over the last twenty years the internet has revolutionized the way we live our lives, bringing many benefits including new access to information and previously unimaginable connectivity. Yet at the same time, the internet has had many detrimental effects, including the proliferation of false information, toxic content, and social media platforms which recent studies show have created an epidemic of depression among young people.
How then should Christians respond to new advancements in technology? Some Christians, seeing the potential risks associated with technology have argued we should reject it altogether. Others, seeing the potential benefits associated with technology have argued we should accept it without question. I would argue that both approaches are misguided. Those who would reject technology miss the fact that many technologies have been used to significantly advance the cause of Christ throughout church history. For instance, during the Protestant Reformation, the printing press (a new technology at the time) was what enabled gospel truth to be transmitted rapidly and the word of God to be placed into people’s hands. In a similar way, the internet is being used by missionaries and Christian workers today to share the gospel in ways previous generations would have never thought possible. Having said all this, technology is not without its dangers. Those who would accept technology without discernment miss the fact that every new technology has risks and therefore we must proceed with caution.
I would argue that Christians should neither reject technology altogether nor embrace it without discernment. Instead, we should approach each technological advance with an openness to how it can be used for godly purposes and an awareness for how it could be used for sinful purposes. Here are some questions we would do well to ask as we assess modern technologies that are part of our lives:
- Does this technology help me to love God more or does it hinder my relationship with him?
- Does this technology help me to love my neighbors more or does it decrease my love for them?
- Does this technology lead to human flourishing as God intended or does it tend to dehumanize others?
- Does this technology lead to God’s glory or man’s glory?
- What are the potential risks as well as rewards that this technology will have when it comes to my spiritual health?
There are no easy answers to these questions, and not every Christian will come to the same conclusions. In some situations, we may choose to embrace certain technologies because of the way they can be used for God’s Kingdom. In other situations, we may choose to reject certain technologies because they do not lead to our good or God’s glory. But in every situation, we should exercise Christian discernment so that we can make sure we are using technology in a way that honors Christ. As one author wrote, “Ultimately, we will be accountable for how we steward all of what God has given us. Technology is a gift from him, brought about by his skilled image-bearers, and should be used to know him better, build up our neighbor, and glorify him above all.”