Scott Turner In today’s digital age, the world moves at a faster pace than ever before. As we continue to advance technologically, we face new challenges and opportunities every day. As someone who seeks to live a life of purpose and meaning, I find myself constantly reflecting on the intersection of technology and faith. I recognize that I don’t have all the answers, and I am far from perfect. In fact, I have made many terrible mistakes in my life, but I am committed to learning from them and using those situations as building blocks for personal growth. You know what they say, sometimes the best way to learn is to fail. My dad always told me when I would go dirt bike riding that if I didn’t fall, I wasn’t having fun. And trust me, I had my fair share of fun – and bruises to prove it! (humor)
In my pursuit of wisdom and discernment, I rely on Jesus to guide me. As a self-proclaimed geek, I have a deep appreciation for technology and love learning about new advancements. I subscribe to AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney, and I highly recommend the TLDR AI Newsletter for staying updated on the latest AI developments. In this blog post, I will share my personal experiences and reflections on building discernment, engaging in apologetics, and confronting deceptive influences related to AI, while embracing my passion for technology and learning from my mistakes.
Preserving Values in this Technology Focused World
It’s no secret that our society has shifted dramatically in the past 25 years, with technology transforming nearly every aspect of our lives. Remember when phones were just for making calls? Yeah, me neither. It’s like trying to remember a time when Joe Rogan didn’t have a Podcast…Â Today, we face unique challenges and temptations as technology, including AI, continues to evolve. As Christians, it’s essential that we maintain our focus on timeless values like the fear of God, the Holy Spirit, and conviction.
The Bible tells us that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). Wisdom isn’t just about knowing facts that you can Google in a heartbeat – it’s about understanding God’s will and making the right decisions in life. A healthy fear of God helps us develop discernment, which enables us to make wise choices in our increasingly complex world.
Cultivating Discernment in the Digital Age
In the context of the digital age and its challenges, cultivating discernment is crucial for Christians. Discernment allows us to navigate the complexities of modern technology, like AI, and avoid falling prey to deceptive influences. Developing discernment comes from deepening our relationship with God, seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit, and diligently studying Scripture.
As we grow in our faith and understanding of God’s Word, our ability to discern truth from deception will become more refined. With this discernment, we can confront and expose the deceptive influences related to AI and other technological advancements while continuing to embrace the benefits of technology.
Analytical Visualization: See the Data, Know the Truth
To highlight the massive leap in technology utilization and the vast amount of data available, consider the following visuals
Chart 1 displays for us the dramatic increase in cellular phone subscriptions between 98′ and 22′ from 154M – 8.18B which is a 5,206% increase!
Chart 2 displays for us the very impressive increase in available data between 08′ and 22′ from 340M TB – 59.7B TB / .34 ZB – 59.7 ZB equating to a staggering 17,506% increase!!!
The Importance of Apologetics and Confronting Deceptive Influences
As Christians, we need to be prepared to defend our faith and confront deceptive influences, especially in the realm of AI. As the saying goes, “the best offense is a good defense,” or, in our case, a solid foundation in apologetics. Thankfully, there are many great online resources like CARM, CrossExamined, and Reasons to Believe that can help us strengthen our understanding of Christian doctrine and tackle tough questions.
One challenge we face is the ethical use of AI. While there are guidelines like the UNESCO’s AI Ethics Recommendations, it’s essential to approach them with discernment and caution. Just because something is recommended doesn’t mean it’s aligned with Christian values.
We should consider whether a separate regulatory body based on Christian values is necessary to ensure that AI is developed and used in accordance with our faith and values. It’s like having a spiritual antivirus for the digital world.
Conclusion: Embracing Technology While Staying Grounded in Faith
As a tech enthusiast and Christian, I’m constantly learning and trying to strike the right balance between embracing new technology and staying grounded in my faith. Sure, I’ve made my share of mistakes – haven’t we all? But I believe that by seeking wisdom, cultivating discernment, and relying on Jesus to guide me, I can navigate the complexities of our digital world without losing sight of what truly matters. In fact, I strongly believe that we can utilize it for good in the world. An awesome quote by Francis Bacon states “God has, in fact, written two books, not just one. Of course, we are all familiar with the first book he wrote, namely Scripture. But he has written a second book called creation.” This quote highlights the idea that both science and faith can provide insights into understanding God’s creation.
So, let’s continue to engage with technology, learn from our mistakes, and strive to be better humans every day. And remember, just because we can Google everything doesn’t mean we have all the answers. Sometimes, we need to turn to the ultimate search engine: God’s Word.
It’s time to take action and implement these strategies into your daily life now that you have gained valuable insights into how to navigate technology and AI as a Christian. Keep your faith grounded while embracing technological advancements with wisdom and discernment. So, I challenge you to take one action today that will bring you closer to achieving this balance. It could be setting boundaries on your smartphone usage, committing to spending more time in prayer and reflection, or simply being more mindful of the impact of technology on your life. Whatever action you choose, remember that small steps lead to big changes, and you have the power to create a life that aligns with your faith and values. Let’s get it done!
