Christians in the Age of Artificial Intelligence - Adventist Review

We live in a time when digital technology permeates almost every aspect of our lives. Faith is no exception. A “4.0 member” is a term that describes a person who is always electronically connected. These members carry the Bible on their smartphones, participate in services via streaming, and share verses on social networks. This new reality is challenging churches to rethink methods of engagement and discipleship.

The question is, then: How do believers’ technology practices affect the way the Seventh-day Adventist Church does mission in the age of artificial intelligence (AI)?

A New Profile

In the digital age many church members are highly connected. A survey by the Pew Research Center indicates that about 27 percent of adults in the United States watch religious services online or on TV on a regular basis, and 21 percent use apps or websites to read Scripture. [1]

Popular apps such as YouVersion (created by an evangelical community) have already been installed on more than 725 million devices worldwide, offering the Bible in more than 2,000 languages and dialects.

Tech-savvy church members value accessibility and interactivity. Accustomed to having on-demand content, they can listen to the Sabbath sermon on the bus on the way to work or follow a church program on YouTube thousands of miles away. They often engage in virtual faith communities, participating in prayer groups or theological forums on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook.

The 4.0 members can also become “digital evangelists,” sharing inspiring messages on their social networks or even conducting Bible studies via videoconferencing. For example, an Adventist university church in the United States has created a platform called Flocktoc.com, with which any member around the world can have their own video chat room to study the Bible “face-to-face” with up to 10 people simultaneously. [2]

It is worth noting that this transformation brings generational challenges. While young people are digital natives, older members sometimes face “technophobia,” or difficulty in dealing with new tools. [3] Churches have realized the importance of including and training these members too, so that no one is left out because of technology.

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence

AI adds an extra layer to the challenges that churches are currently facing. Several are already experimenting with AI tools to enrich member engagement. For example, algorithms can customize devotional content according to each person’s spiritual needs. [4]

Evangelism chatbots such as Esperança (adv.st/queroestudar in Portuguese) can give Bible studies and answer questions about doctrines, providing biblical references and even offering initial spiritual guidance. In large communities where pastors are not always available, such virtual assistants can help identify needs and connect people to appropriate ministries.

AI capabilities already help pastors in sermon preparation by analyzing congregation data and suggesting approaches that resonate with audiences. Thus, technology is becoming an ally to make the message more understandable and accessible to the digital generation.

Naturally, there are pending questions. Some wonder if consuming religion via an app or YouTube can lead to a more individualistic faith that is disconnected from the local community. Others point to such risks as the spread ofreligious “fake news” or misinterpretations amplified by algorithms. Indeed, AI has the potential of spreading theological errors. For example, an Adventist experiment noted that AI responses to Ellen G. White’s writings were not always accurate. So users must remember that using AI is only a starting point and should never replace personal study of Scripture.[5] Leaders and members need to develop discernment in order to take advantage of the best of technology without giving up the essence of faith.

Predictions About AI and Spirituality

Moving forward, experts believe AI could profoundly impact the religious experience. They anticipate a revolution in the way we connect with the sacred. “We believe that AI impact is potentially more significant than [the] internet itself,” said Dan Houghton, head of an Adventist technology committee,[6] noting that “if used wisely, it could revolutionize the way we share the gospel.”

One of the predictions is that faith experiences will become increasingly personalized and interactive. We can imagine virtual prayer assistants who know our struggles and send us encouraging messages at the right times, or clever Bible-study plans that adjust to each person’s spiritual progress.

In the Adventist Church, technology leaders are already shaping the future. For example, a technology committee proposed creating AI databases with Adventist literature, documents, materials, videos, audios, and sermons so that the answers generated are aligned with the doctrine and message of the church. Thus, AI would act as an extension of ministry, maintaining denominational identity while broadening reach.

Another promising area is AI-driven church management and planning. Predictive analytic tools can help the church understand trends in participation and engagement by anticipating member needs. For example, algorithms can analyze data on service attendance, ministry engagement, and even online interactions to predict the spiritual health of the congregation and guide pastoral decisions. A member who fails to participate for long periods of time could be flagged for special attention from the pastor or community. Thus, AI can act as a strategic “advisor” to the church, allowing for more proactive actions.

At the same time, the future holds important questions about the limits of automation in our faith experience. In 2023 in Germany, more than 300 people packed a Lutheran church for an experimental service conducted almost entirely by AI. Virtual avatars guided by ChatGPT preached, prayed, and sang blessings for 40 minutes. The feat proved that machines could produce “worship,” but it also revealed the limitations of technology. Many participants felt a lack of human warmth. “There was neither heart nor soul; the avatars showed no emotion and spoke so monotonously that it was difficult for me to focus,” an attendee shared.[7] The experiment begs the question: To what extent do we want AI to lead our moments of worship?

AI can provide correct theological information and even some interactivity, but it lacks the empathy, spontaneity, and personal experience of faith that a human leader has. Probably in the future, AI and humans will work together, but flesh-and-blood shepherds will remain essential for the irreplaceable human touch.

Technology and the Gospel

Faced with the advent of the technological age, the church must adopt a twofold stance: innovation and faithfulness. Innovation to speak the language of today and to reach people where they are: on smartphones, social media, and AI platforms. And faithfulness to the transforming message of Christ and the bond of communion among believers.

Just as the press, radio, and TV were used to spread the message without replacing a direct experience with God, AI must be a tool to spread the gospel. It is up to each Christian community to discern, pray, and act so that amid bytes and algorithms, the light of hope and divine love may always shine.

This article was written with the help of AI.