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Can Christians practice their faith in a virtual environment? Imagine a Christian that attends a virtual church. He frequently enjoys the messages and advice from his pastor, except his pastor is not human but an avatar projection in the virtual space operated by artificial intelligence. The church service features upbeat singing and music by the AI gospel artist JC, and its virtual choir. The Christian can hear the occasional shouts of praise but is this from the congregation or sound effects echoed at the right moment by a well-crafted algorithm? Perhaps some could find this satisfactory for church, as so many in-person church services are filled with religious platitudes instead of Spirit-filled worship, anointed singing, and life-changing preaching. Tech experts can replace such lukewarm services with AI and virtual spaces without church-goers noticing a difference. But isn’t this the kind of church that Jesus would spit out of his mouth?

Can Robots and AI Replace Pastors/Preachers?

It seems some people are already willing to embrace robot and AI pastors and spiritual leaders. This is no longer futuristic. The BBC reports that “Experts say major global faiths are discussing their relationship with AI, and some are starting to incorporate this technology into their worship. Robot priests can recite prayers, deliver sermons, and even comfort those experiencing a spiritual crisis” (www.bbc.com). A robot priest by the name of Santo is already in use at a Catholic church in Poland. Reported on The First News, “Using Artificial Intelligence, Santo has been specially programmed to meet the needs of Catholics after being uploaded with a memory bank of information about the religion (TheFirstNews.com)”.

So using a combination of robotic technology and artificial intelligence, priests and religious robots are already in a few churches and religious organizations. Some religious believers seem to be comfortable with this, as reported on Premier Christian News, “A quarter of UK adults say they would be comfortable taking spiritual advice from an artificial intelligence priest”.

It’s notable that the book of Revelations prophesied about an image of the Beast that would have life, speak, and be able to punish those who did not obey the beast. Revelation 13:14-15 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 15And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. With this technology available now, it seems that the image of the beast could be a robot or some type of virtual projection in the physical world, like a hologram, that operates by artificial intelligence allowing it to seem lifelike.

Now, there are several reasons why Christians should not embrace AI pastors and spiritual leaders. Ministry gifts are from God given to men to minister and build up other members of the body of Christ. These cannot be replaced by robots or AI. Now, it is easy to say well they can be used as tools, but with so many lazy Christians unwilling to take up spiritual discipline such as regularly reading and studying the Bible, promoting AI pastors is a dangerous proposition. Instead, church leaders should avoid promoting this, and believers should stick with pastoral leaders and spiritual leaders who are sent by God.

There are certain things that AI cannot replace in the human that is called by God. The following attributes cannot be replicated in a robot or AI system.

Ministry Leaders Are:

Gifted

God has chosen and gifted the body of Christ with ministry leadership gifts. They are divinely given, not man-made.

Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Touchable

The true ministry leader understands the spiritual struggles of the people because he himself experiences similar temptations and weaknesses of the flesh. AI cannot replicate this understanding.

Speaking of Jesus, the book of Hebrews says in Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Just as Jesus can intercede on our behalf because he understands our weaknesses, even so the pastor and spiritual leader ministers from an exemplary life of facing human challenges and overcoming them.

Intercessory

Although an AI robot may mimic prayer, it cannot replicate true intercession that comes from the inner being of a man with the assistance of the Holy Spirit with groanings.

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Revelatory

The ministry leader who is called by God operates by the revelation of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit illuminates them with the messages to speak (Isaiah 50:4), leads them to take ministry actions, and manifests spiritual gifts through them (1 Cor. 12:4). Obviously, no AI could replicate the revelation and manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

Empowered

Finally, true ministry leaders are empowered by the Holy Spirit to operate in their calling. They have been anointed by God for the task they have been given.

Overall, the point is that ministry leaders are raised up by God. An inanimate artificial entity made by men cannot reproduce the divine gifts of the Spirit.

Take up your call to the ministry. Let God use you as an arrow of revival.