Prov 22:1 says “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.” 1 Timothy 3:7 emphasizes the importance of a Christian having a good reputation with people outside the church to avoid disgrace.

Sadly, people flippantly throw away their good name today. In fact, a good name is increasingly in serious jeopardy among many today because of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The problem is that people often use AI as a shortcut, inducing laziness and distorting reality. There is a video here showing how a lawyer threw away a good name by submitting a legal brief that was generated by (AI), citing cases that do not exist. The judge rightly was upset and imposed sanctions against the lawyer with a $25,000 judgment.

Aiden Isaacs has an article here entitled “The Dangers of Artificial Intelligence to Theology: A Comprehensive Analysis.” Ironically the article was written by ChapGPT which admits,

“When it comes to theological matters, relying solely on AI-generated material can pose significant risks. The opacity of AI algorithms presents a particular challenge in this domain, as theological truths often involve nuanced interpretations of sacred texts and complex philosophical concepts. Blindly accepting AI-generated interpretations without human oversight and theological expertise can lead to distortions or misunderstandings of religious doctrines. Additionally, since AI systems learn from existing data, they may inadvertently perpetuate theological biases present in their training datasets. Therefore, it is essential for individuals to approach AI-generated theological content with caution, seeking guidance from knowledgeable theologians and engaging in critical reflection to ensure the integrity and accuracy of their religious understanding. Furthermore, the rapid pace of AI development outstrips the ability of ethical and regulatory frameworks to keep pace . . . Moreover, the widespread integration of AI threatens to undermine the theological understanding of humanity’s unique status as creatures made in the image of God. By eroding human agency, moral autonomy, and relationality, AI fosters dependence on non-human entities and diminishes the significance of human creativity, ethical reflection, and communal solidarity. To preserve the theological integrity of human existence, theologians must engage critically with the implications of AI and advocate for ethical frameworks that uphold the dignity and worth of every human being as reflections of the divine image.”

In 2023, Dr. Sterling Allen wrote an article with ChapGPT entitled “The Theological and Ethical Dangers Associated with Using Artificial Intelligence in Christian Religious Settings.” Dr. Allen purposely wrote the article using ChaptGPT “to demonstrate how scarily real the interaction was in the writing process. There was seemingly genuine dialogue taking place during the research and writing process. This omission of delineation was intentional to show how rhetorically persuasive artificial intelligence can be when prompted carefully. Because the point of this piece is to raise questions about content generated by AI, the editors have not edited for content.” 

The article warns,

“The utilization of AI in decision-making processes within sacred settings raises theological concerns regarding human agency and the authority of God. If AI systems make autonomous decisions, there is a potential for these decisions to contradict religious/theological (or even commonly held moral) principles. Since the fall, theological tension has prompted Christians to reflect on the balance between human responsibility and the guidance of a higher power (in our case, as Christians, the power of the Holy Spirit).

AI systems possess the ability to process vast amounts of data and make decisions based on algorithms and patterns. However, these decisions may not always align with Christian moral teachings or principles. This ethical dilemma raises questions about the responsibility and accountability for the actions and decisions made by AI systems within religious contexts.“

Allen’s AI-generated article disturbingly admits “Some churches have added AI-prayer responses to their websites or the use of Text In Church services. In most cases, the requests for prayer eventually reach a living person down the chain, but any immediate relief to the requestor gained through intercession based on Christian fellowship is faux at best.”

Commenting on the article, Charlie Robertson warned, “AI can never be trusted to represent a more accurate interpretation of the Bible than that which we discern.” Another commenter (Tim) correctly observed that “Just because something is available to us doesn’t mean it is wise to use.”

There are serious ethical and theological concerns with using AI-generated theological content. As happened with the lawyer in the video above, one can find their good name quickly destroyed.