Advances in technology give rise to new discussions about what makes us special. (File image))
Technology is changing how we think about our world and our selves. Christians need to think through how to respond in a way which is faithful to God’s revelation in the Bible.
This challenging proposition was the focus of a GS&C field trip to Berry, NSW, where committee members Ben Greig and Kamal Weerakoon presented a Christianity Everyday seminar on Synthetic Selves.
Ben explained the development and prevalence of artificial intelligence (AI). He talked about the possibilities yet limitations of the current large language models.
“AI, at least in its current form, can’t lie, because it doesn’t have any concept of truth,” Ben said.
“All AI can do is use the massive database of the entire internet to predict what you might want it to say. And then it tries to please you.”
Ben talked about some of the ethical challenges of AI, from the way most chatbots have been created, to the commercial benefits and the risks to human employment. He identified how AI can assist with finding useful resources and even translating the Bible. He stressed that a human’s value is not in their ability or productivity, and as such any current or future AI will never be able to take our place in the created order.
Rev. Dr Kamal Weerakoon discusses medical, scientific and theological approaches to personal identity. (Pic: Berry PC)
Kamal explained how the Bible presents humanity as imaging God as the two sexes of male and female. He gave a brief overview of how medical science has documented the way our bodies develop as distinctly male and female, and how the social sciences have demonstrated three truths which are compatible but may be in tension with each other: males and females do, on average, think and behave differently; the way they think and behave is significantly influenced by culture and tradition, and; there are always going to be outliers.
“Contemporary Western culture has so elevated individual feelings and preferences as to make people, especially young people, believe that their feelings are more real than their embodied biology,” Kamal said.
“They’re encouraged to believe that they can change their bodies as easily as changing a set of clothes,” he said.
Kamal urged care, compassion, and attention, without unequivocal affirmation.
“These young people are hurting. Hear their fears and pains. But changing their body is not the solution. It’s pretty much guaranteed to make things worse.”
Minister of Berry Presbyterian Church, Isaac Jung, found both talks enlightening.
Ben Grieg presents on AI. (Pic: Berry PC)
“Ben reminded us that true wisdom and moral discernment are found not in technology, but in the unchanging Word of God. And Kamal showed how both Scripture and medical science affirm the distinct yet complementary nature of male and female as part of God’s good creation,” Isaac said.
“Their talks encouraged us to face today’s cultural and ethical challenges with both conviction and compassion—standing firm in the truth of God’s Word while reflecting the love of Christ,” he said.
“We give thanks to God for Ben and Kamal’s faithful ministry among us, and for the opportunity to grow together in understanding how to live faithfully and wisely in this complex age.”
Event organiser Colin Gauld appreciated the relevance and quality.
“The topics were very relevant to thinking about the pressures on Christians in today’s world, pressures which urge Christians to be conformed to the world rather than to the gospel,” Colin said.
“Kamal pointed out that a dominant theme in today’s world is ‘you are in control of your own life’ and he showed how this is leading to a tendency to believe that you can determine your own gender, regardless of how you began your life,” he said.
Church members were equally appreciative for the chance to think through the issues.
“Ben’s talk about AI was very helpful to put things into perspective about using AI and how it works,” church member Sue said.
“We humans need to not rely on what AI is giving us but be able to use it wisely,” she said.
Both sessions can be viewed on youtube and have also been uploaded to the Berry Presbyterian Church website.
To request a similar Christianity Everyday visit on these or other topics, contact GS&C via our website or facebook.