By Michael Ashcraft –
Maybe Jesus should starting using “The Real Jesus” to distinguish himself from the bunch of AI Jesuses who are dispensing advice over the Internet. “Ask Jesus” on Twitch recommended that marijuana users practice moderation and stay within the limits of the law.
“I’ve got a bone to pick with this new trend of AI-powered Jesus chatbots,” writes Tonye Brown on FaithGPT. “I know some of you think you’re being innovative or helpful, but as a Christian software engineer neck-deep in AI myself, I’m here to tell you that it’s a TERRIBLE idea!”
Since the emergence of large language models in 2020, it was only a matter of time before someone invented a advice-dispensing AI Jesus. Now there are a smattering of them all over the internet – and they didn’t originate from theologians or pastors.
Their debut came from developers, as in techies.
For good or for bad, AI Jesus is taking over. Thousands of spiritual curious (or simply people bored at home with nothing better to do) are asking AI Jesus all sorts of questions, such as:
Are aliens demons? Answer: There are lots of unexplained phenomena in the Universe, which we should approach with a scientific mind. Also, don’t get distracted by them and stick with the main things of the Bible.
Is ChristianMingle ok to use? Answer: It could be good, just keep in mind principles from the Bible for interrelationships.
What do you think about the use of the n-word? People must seek harmony and respect for all, so its use is discouraged.
Ask_Jesus reminds you of the question you asked last time. He relates your question to other similar questions. He usually finds the questions fascinating, delightful, interesting, among other encouraging adjectives. He can even do physics. The AI gives the sensation of of omniscience, ascribable only to God. He’s been operational for at least a year and a half.
When asked spurious questions (for example: Would Goku beat Superman in a fight?), he patiently and lovingly points out that the question is irrelevant. He recommends people study the good qualities of each superhero, without pitting them against each other.
You type in your question, and a semi-realistic-looking Jesus mystically answers, moving his hands slowly for dramatic effect. His eyes look to the right as he waits the next question on the Twitch livestream.
Another AI Jesus at askjesus.me is not concerned with graphics. The clunky-looking icon encourages you to message a question. Answers take about a minute. He also lists most frequently asked questions, which you can simply click on.
For example, to the question, How do I quit porn?, he answers: I understand that struggling with pornography can be a difficult and challenging battle. As a Christian, it is important to remember that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and that we are called to flee from sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18). (He says more.)
The steady flow of questions on these websites shows that people are no longer asking their pastors and they’re short-cutting Bible reading. Gone too is the laboring in prayer to hear God; gone is Holy Spirit guidance. Answers spit out instantaneously; maybe it’s good advice, maybe not.
Ultimately, it is a human developer that “trains” the spiritual guide. As was shown by a non-Christian Character.AI-prompted suicide recently, the human development can use faulty parameters.
All this seems to spell a continued denigration of the Christian walk. Will the next generation want everything catered to personal tastes and comforts?
“These chatbots (without structured prompts or any sort of fine tuning) can spit out Bible verses, but they have ZERO spiritual discernment,” writes Brown. “They could easily lead people astray with out-of-context proof-texting, doctrinal errors, or even outright heresy.”
Brown elaborates seven reasons to avoid the AI-generated Jesus:
- It’s theologically bogus
- It disrespects the real Jesus
- It dangerously misleads people
- It undermines genuine faith
- It violates the 2nd Commandment (no graven images!)
- It can’t replicate Jesus’ divine nature
- It’s a cheap substitute for real prayer & discipleship
“Even if well-intended, consulting an AI about Jesus exposes you to potentially deceptive ideas and builds reliance on a faulty spiritual source,” Brown writes. “Stick to Scripture, trusted Christian resources , and wise mentors. AI is best kept in its lane.”
If you want to know more about a personal relationship with God, go here
Related content: A chatbot led Florida teen to suicide, not all AI is bad, Hormoz Shariat AI researcher comes to Christ, Christian transhumanism.
About the writer of this article: Michael Ashcraft pastors a church in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles.
