Prospects and Challenges in Artificial Intelligence use and the Christian faith: Augustinian and other considerations
In the current world, artificial intelligence (AI) is raising numerous important questions and is posing challenges to people of faith. It is therefore critically important for Christian believers to reflect theologically on the use of AI. The development and integration of AI technologies into reli...
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Africajournals
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Pharos Journal of Theology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_32_106_4__regular_issue_august.pdf |
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| author | Prof. G.M. Naidoo Prof. A. Nicolaides |
| author_facet | Prof. G.M. Naidoo Prof. A. Nicolaides |
| author_sort | Prof. G.M. Naidoo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In the current world, artificial intelligence (AI) is raising numerous important questions and is posing challenges to people of faith. It is therefore critically important for Christian believers to reflect theologically on the use of AI. The development and integration of AI technologies into religious settings is potentially an opportunity but is equally challenging, as there are cases of believers, inter alia, taking their spiritual cues from AI and not God’s Holy Word, and thus, they accept severely flawed theological interpretations as being correct. This leads to severe negative spiritual and functional consequences for Christian churches of all denominations as well as for communities in general. The article reconnoitres the likely attitude that Saint Augustine would have had concerning the usage of AI from a Christian viewpoint. AI is potentially highly beneficial, but it is essential that, especially its theological implications, be critically considered, given that some believers seek answers in AI with its vast powers, rather than from the Holy Trinity and Holy Scriptures. Consequently, many people often get trapped in ethical dilemmas and dangers, and many even become slaves of AI and lose their sense of worth and dignity as God’s creatures. AI, with its huge power, has become a god for many, and it is vital to promote a sense of responsible use when people indulge in AI offerings, especially in the teaching and promotion of appropriate Christian religious beliefs and the desired societal attitudes that Christians should be embracing in their daily lives. Churches can use AI in a range of ways to further develop their ministries and the reflection of the faithful. Believers can seek out spiritual guidance, seek texts or related information about their Christian denomination, and be offered prompt responses to questions of faith as texts are analysed and new insights are provided when studying theological themes. AI can make religious resources far more accessible, it can streamline church operations, and provide believers with personalised tools for their carefully plotted spiritual journeys. We are in no way demonising AI and its technologies but are rather calling for careful discernment and a deep theological reflection when employing AI usage and, of course, by always seeking to preserve our fundamental Christian values and principles as expounded in Church teachings. AI must thus be used carefully as a tool to enhance and support the Church's mission while respecting the spiritual traditions of the faith. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cd8fe052d4ca471e92fcbf91365a837d |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2414-3324 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Africajournals |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pharos Journal of Theology |
| spelling | doaj-art-cd8fe052d4ca471e92fcbf91365a837d2025-08-20T02:48:57ZengAfricajournalsPharos Journal of Theology2414-33242025-08-011064https://doi.org/10.46222/pharosjot.106.4032Prospects and Challenges in Artificial Intelligence use and the Christian faith: Augustinian and other considerationsProf. G.M. Naidoo0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5445-0160Prof. A. Nicolaides1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2153-2853Deputy Dean of Research Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences University of Zululand, South AfricaDepartment of Philosophy and Applied Ethics University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa, South AfricaIn the current world, artificial intelligence (AI) is raising numerous important questions and is posing challenges to people of faith. It is therefore critically important for Christian believers to reflect theologically on the use of AI. The development and integration of AI technologies into religious settings is potentially an opportunity but is equally challenging, as there are cases of believers, inter alia, taking their spiritual cues from AI and not God’s Holy Word, and thus, they accept severely flawed theological interpretations as being correct. This leads to severe negative spiritual and functional consequences for Christian churches of all denominations as well as for communities in general. The article reconnoitres the likely attitude that Saint Augustine would have had concerning the usage of AI from a Christian viewpoint. AI is potentially highly beneficial, but it is essential that, especially its theological implications, be critically considered, given that some believers seek answers in AI with its vast powers, rather than from the Holy Trinity and Holy Scriptures. Consequently, many people often get trapped in ethical dilemmas and dangers, and many even become slaves of AI and lose their sense of worth and dignity as God’s creatures. AI, with its huge power, has become a god for many, and it is vital to promote a sense of responsible use when people indulge in AI offerings, especially in the teaching and promotion of appropriate Christian religious beliefs and the desired societal attitudes that Christians should be embracing in their daily lives. Churches can use AI in a range of ways to further develop their ministries and the reflection of the faithful. Believers can seek out spiritual guidance, seek texts or related information about their Christian denomination, and be offered prompt responses to questions of faith as texts are analysed and new insights are provided when studying theological themes. AI can make religious resources far more accessible, it can streamline church operations, and provide believers with personalised tools for their carefully plotted spiritual journeys. We are in no way demonising AI and its technologies but are rather calling for careful discernment and a deep theological reflection when employing AI usage and, of course, by always seeking to preserve our fundamental Christian values and principles as expounded in Church teachings. AI must thus be used carefully as a tool to enhance and support the Church's mission while respecting the spiritual traditions of the faith.https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_32_106_4__regular_issue_august.pdfartificial intelligencechristian faithchallengesprospectsethical issues |
| spellingShingle | Prof. G.M. Naidoo Prof. A. Nicolaides Prospects and Challenges in Artificial Intelligence use and the Christian faith: Augustinian and other considerations Pharos Journal of Theology artificial intelligence christian faith challenges prospects ethical issues |
| title | Prospects and Challenges in Artificial Intelligence use and the Christian faith: Augustinian and other considerations |
| title_full | Prospects and Challenges in Artificial Intelligence use and the Christian faith: Augustinian and other considerations |
| title_fullStr | Prospects and Challenges in Artificial Intelligence use and the Christian faith: Augustinian and other considerations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prospects and Challenges in Artificial Intelligence use and the Christian faith: Augustinian and other considerations |
| title_short | Prospects and Challenges in Artificial Intelligence use and the Christian faith: Augustinian and other considerations |
| title_sort | prospects and challenges in artificial intelligence use and the christian faith augustinian and other considerations |
| topic | artificial intelligence christian faith challenges prospects ethical issues |
| url | https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_32_106_4__regular_issue_august.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT profgmnaidoo prospectsandchallengesinartificialintelligenceuseandthechristianfaithaugustinianandotherconsiderations AT profanicolaides prospectsandchallengesinartificialintelligenceuseandthechristianfaithaugustinianandotherconsiderations |