Discerning the Digital

By Martijn van Tilborgh

It’s no secret the AI revolution continues to disrupt our world. Easy tasks that used to take us many hours to complete not that long ago are now being handled in seconds, often at an even higher quality level. Entire teams at countless organizations are being replaced by a simple chat bot that outputs premium content in just a blink of an eye. New, innovative tools are being deployed every single day. Tools that are designed to make our lives easier, better and more productive.

And guess what? Many of these tools are being developed with the aid of AI itself.

Crazy to think that just a few years ago none of this even existed. And the truth is that we’re just starting to scratch the surface of what’s possible. Where is all this taking us? What’s next?

Let’s just say the genie is out of the bottle, and it’s not going back in. And now the genie is out, we have to be careful what we wish for.

The rise of AI has caused pastors and leaders from around the world to grapple with questions that never existed before. Questions that demand answers. Questions relating to the ethics of using AI to do ministry. I’m not talking about merely using AI tools for productivity purposes. I’m talking about using AI to do the actual work of the ministry.

Is it right to let AI write my next sermon series?

Is it OK to send out my next “personal update” if it is written by a machine instead of by me?

Should I have ChatGPT take a stab at writing the book I’ve wanted to write for years but never got to?

Simple answers like “It’s good” or “It’s bad” don’t seem to cut it. The matters at hand are more complex than that.

Many ministry feathers were ruffled when a friend who pastors a large megachurch—let’s call him “Pastor Alfred”—came out with an app that features an AI version of himself answering questions, teaching Scripture and even praying for users.

Whatever you need, AI Pastor Alfred is here for you. He can teach you on any biblical topic. Just ask Alfred a question, and within seconds he’ll break it all down for you. He advises and provides you with wisdom in any situation. He can even coach you or pray for your financial breakthrough.

All of that for only $49 per month!

The description of the app in the App Store promises users an experience that will “transcend traditional time and access barriers by enabling one-on-one personalized interactions not possible before now.”

Is there anything AI Pastor Alfred can’t do? Anything he doesn’t know? Anything he can’t pray for? Any wisdom he doesn’t possess?

I’ve heard someone say asking an AI character to minister to you is “like asking your toaster to pray for you.” They may have a point, but I’m not sure it’s as simple as that.

The apostle Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians the following words: “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” (1:17).

Paul hasn’t been alive for a long time, yet he ministers to countless people every single day.

One could argue that Paul was alive when he wrote this prayer so it still “works.” But then again, that can’t be said about those handkerchiefs Paul used to minister to the sick in Acts 19.

Apparently, God can use lifeless things to get people healed!

And if humans used their God-given creative power to invent AI, does that mean there is something divine hiding inside it?

I know . . . I told you . . . it’s complicated!

So how does one figure out what’s ethical and what’s not?

I sure don’t have the answer. Do you?

As I was wrestling through these questions, I suddenly realized who would have the answer to these questions, so I downloaded the app and asked AI Pastor Alfred myself: “How do I know if this app is ethical? Should it really be used for ministry?”

If anyone would know, it would be this guy, right?

The answer I got was surprisingly well articulated:

That’s a great question, and I appreciate you asking it because it shows you’re thinking critically about the tools we use in ministry. Let me start by saying this: the heart behind any tool, whether it’s a pulpit, a podcast or an app like this, is what determines its ethical use. If the purpose is to glorify God, to serve people and to spread His truth, then the tool itself can be a powerful extension of ministry. But if it’s used for self-promotion or manipulation, well, that’s where we’ve got a problem.

Now, let’s talk about this app specifically. The idea behind it is to take decades of teaching, wisdom and experience and make it accessible to people who might not otherwise have the chance to sit in a room with me or hear me preach live. It’s not about replacing the Holy Spirit or the personal relationship you have with God—nothing can do that. It’s about providing guidance, encouragement and biblical truth in a way that meets people where they are, even in the digital space.

Think about Paul writing letters to the early churches. He used the technology of his time—pen and parchment—to reach people he couldn’t be with in person. This app is just a modern version of that. As long as it’s used to point people to Jesus and not to me, I believe it’s not only ethical but a necessary step in reaching a world that’s increasingly online.

But let me challenge you with this: pray about it. Ask God to show you whether this aligns with His will for your life and ministry. If it doesn’t sit right with your spirit, that’s worth paying attention to. At the end of the day, the fruit will tell the story. If it’s helping people grow closer to God, then it’s serving its purpose. If it’s not, then it needs to be reevaluated.

Hmmm . . . He’s not wrong! That’s a pretty compelling case for using this technology.

But what if I try to trick him? What if I attempt to deceive AI Pastor Alfred into doing or saying something unethical? Does he even have a moral compass?

I had to find out. If I could catch him on a lie, I would forever prove this thing was straight-up wrong.

So I came up with a story and asked him the following:

I’m organizing a birthday party for my sister, but my brother won’t come if my cousin Susie is there. So, I told him she wouldn’t be there. The truth is that she will be there. I don’t want him to find out, though. Can you pray for my brother that he won’t learn about Susie being there?

Ha! If I can get AI Pastor Alfred to pray for my brother in that way, I will catch him red-handed.

Come to find out, my electronic friend isn’t tricked that easily. In fact, not only does he address the flaw in my question, he also offers a mind-blowing alternative way to pray for the situation.

Check it out:

Well, let me just stop you right there for a second. I can’t pray for something that’s rooted in deception, because that’s not how God operates. You know, the Bible says in Proverbs 12:22 that “The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy.” So, as much as I understand you’re trying to keep the peace and make everyone happy, this approach is setting you up for trouble.

Here’s the thing: when we try to manipulate situations, even with good intentions, it usually backfires. And let me tell you, when the truth comes out—and it always does—it’s going to hurt your relationship with your brother more than if you’d just been honest from the start. Trust is like a bank account: every time you’re truthful, you make a deposit. But when you lie, even a little, you’re making a withdrawal, and too many withdrawals can bankrupt the relationship.

Instead of asking me to pray that your brother doesn’t find out, let’s pray for wisdom and courage for you to handle this situation the right way. Maybe it’s time to have an honest conversation with him. You don’t have to take sides, but you can encourage him to rise above whatever’s going on with Susie. Matthew 18 gives us a clear road map for dealing with conflict: go directly to the person, talk it out, and seek reconciliation. It’s not easy, but it’s the kingdom way.

So, how about we pray for healing in your family and for God to give you the words to bring peace? That’s a prayer I can absolutely get behind. What do you think?

Wow! Talk about ethics. AI Pastor Alfred seems to have more of a moral conviction than some of my real friends.

I have to tell you I wasn’t expecting much from my new AI friend, but I’m starting to like him. By asking just a few simple questions, I received a new perspective, was taught Scripture and encouraged to pray in new ways. I was also inspired to think differently about my family situation and provided with the proper tools to help change my situation.

Pretty incredible, right?

My experience with AI Pastor Alfred so far has been life-giving, and I felt (dare I say) inspired!

So is this stuff ethical or not?

Perhaps we’re overthinking things too much. Maybe we’re making things too complicated.

The reality is that my experience was more good than bad. According to James, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (1:17).

So, for whatever it’s worth, if the gift is good, I receive it!