“At every corner in every home, on every street, business or place of recreation, the altars of worship are perfectly positioned, waiting for the final call. Be it worn on the wrist, sat on a desk, or placed in the pocket, what we innocently consider to be the future is gradually distancing us from reality and gently guiding us into a place of ‘virtual’ reality with the promise of no more unhappiness. You can almost imagine the words of Timothy Leary ringing on every device, “Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out”, as young and old are transfixed by the screens of a seemingly innocent device.”
(Quote: The Hidden Tree - Page 381)
Now, before you ask ‘was this blog created using AI?’ I will pre-empt your question by confirming that it was produced using good old brain power and agile typing instruments called, fingers.
It is true, however, that the technological revolution is upon us and we cannot reverse the clock to a pre- AI existence. In fact, to undo its influence in our lives is an impossibility and everyone knows it but, there is something we can do, and that is choose. Choose what, you ask? Well, we can choose to say no.
Does AI Meet the Criteria?
We forget that the AI used for church services, or anything else, is programmed by humans. This in itself mocks the fundamental definition or requirements of what a preacher is, using the Bible as the measuring line of course. For example:
Being born again / born from above
Filled with the Holy Spirit
Understanding the teachings of God
Believing in salvation through the Jewish Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus)
Being part of the family of God
And finally, being created in Gods image.
These are just some of the basic biblical requirements but once again, our attempt to create a form that can be accepted in places of worship should not be surprising, especially as we have already sold the biblical faith down the river for our personally crafted, sanitised services. Services which are only capable of convicting the sinner of the breakfast they had missed due to their determined effort to get to church on time to hear their favourite AI preacher. There can be no substitute for a God sent, Holy Spirit filled preacher,
Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. Acts 13: 1-3 (NKJV)
The Imposters
To believe that there is some kind of legitimacy in the experience created by this AI imposter is tantamount to believing that the donkey which rebuked Balaam in *Numbers 22:28 was capable of receiving salvation simply because it could speak. Yet, the donkey (without nano chips and micro bytes) had the sense to stop the false prophet in his tracks, preventing his inevitable demise. So, the big question remains, are we really going to place our faith in the virtual hands of a man made, speaking digital image or are we (as sheep) going to choose the voice of the One who is known as our good shepherd? The only Only who is worthy of all worship and adoration. Think on.
* (Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”)