Listening to the Current Reality
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI is now a powerful complement to human efforts in fulfilling the Great Commission, but it must be applied thoughtfully, with an understanding of its limitations and strengths. The gap in using AI to spread the gospel and make disciples arises from several key challenges and concerns, rooted in both technical limitations and deeper ethical or theological considerations.
There is a need for a theological or redemptive framework for AI. We need Christian tech leaders in positions of influence across the global church and must address the general gap in accepting AI technologies.
The Great Commission involves personal relationships, genuine discipleship, and spiritual growth, which can be difficult for AI to replicate. AI lacks the human experience of faith, empathy, and spiritual discernment, making it hard to foster the deep personal connections foundational to discipleship.
At its core, evangelism is relational. AI can provide information, but the transformational work of faith often requires deep, personal interactions between believers and those they are ministering to. The concern is that over-reliance on AI could make evangelism feel impersonal.
While AI excels at pattern recognition and data processing, the depth of spiritual questions and theological debates often requires a nuanced understanding of history, culture, and personal belief systems—areas where AI can lack contextual understanding.
There is also concern that over-reliance on AI could reduce personal responsibility or the effort involved in spiritual growth. True discipleship often involves intentional relationships and communal activities like mentorship, prayer, and Bible study—elements that could be diluted if overly automated.
Transhumanism
Transhumanism, a movement aimed at enhancing human abilities through technology, is advancing rapidly and changing perceptions of human identity. From genetic engineering to cognitive enhancements, Transhumanism promises improved physical and mental capabilities but brings ethical and theological questions, challenging the Christian view of humanity as made in God’s image.
This movement’s focus on self-improvement and autonomy can conflict with Christian values of humility, reliance on God, and spiritual growth. By prioritizing technological “perfection,” Transhumanism risks diminishing qualities central to faith, such as empathy and interdependence.
Transhumanism blurs the line between creator and creation as humanity seeks to reshape itself beyond natural limits.
Imagining a Preferred Reality
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
In a preferred future, AI and human efforts work together in harmony to advance the Great Commission, enhancing evangelism’s reach and impact without replacing its essential relational and spiritual dimensions. In this vision, AI acts as a powerful tool that helps overcome global challenges—like language barriers, cultural differences, and resource accessibility—while preserving the authenticity of the gospel and nurturing genuine spiritual growth.
AI-powered translation tools are highly advanced in this world, translating the Bible, sermons, and other spiritual resources into every known language and dialect with perfect contextual accuracy.
AI provides real-time mentorship for church leaders and missionaries, offering access to theological expertise, virtual conferences, and practical evangelism tools. Leaders are empowered to disciple others, creating a multiplying effect in their communities.
Imagine a Christian missionary in a remote Southeast Asian village, facing language and resource challenges. An AI assistant accompanies the missionary, instantly translating conversations and providing Scripture in the local dialect. The app suggests culturally relevant parables and metaphors, helping the missionary connect the gospel to local customs.
Meanwhile, the pastor back home uses an AI tool to analyze sermon engagement trends, noting that people in certain regions respond strongly to themes of hope and redemption.
Transhumanism
In this world, Transhumanist technologies, such as medical enhancements and cognitive support tools, help alleviate suffering by extending physical health, reducing pain, and offering cognitive aids that improve quality of life. These tools serve humanity without detracting from spiritual growth, community, or reliance on God.
In this vision, transhumanist technologies prioritize compassionate goals—such as aiding those with disabilities, preventing disease, and addressing mental health challenges—while encouraging ethical reflection on the nature of humanity. Christians adopt and advocate for technologies that promote empathy, community, and humility, ensuring they enhance life without diminishing spiritual values.
Imagine a future where Christians use genetic therapy to alleviate hereditary illnesses or employ neural aids to support cognitive functions for those with learning disabilities, enhancing the quality of life without promoting human superiority or perfection.
This preferred reality imagines a world where technology serves humanity’s needs without redefining human identity, aligning scientific progress with the spiritual and ethical principles foundational to faith.
Creating a Way to Close the Gap
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Bridging the gap between AI and the Great Commission requires a thoughtful, strategic approach that combines technological innovation with theological and ethical insights. The focus is on using AI as a supportive tool that extends human evangelistic efforts, helping to reach those who are difficult to access while preserving the essential personal connection of the Christian faith.
- Clear goals should be set for how AI can support the Great Commission, emphasizing areas where technology can enhance, rather than replace, human-driven evangelism and discipleship. This includes functions like translation, resource distribution, and logistical support while leaving personal spiritual guidance and discipleship to human leaders.
- Hosting conferences and workshops where church leaders and tech experts collaborate will foster innovative uses of AI in evangelism while upholding core spiritual values. Partnerships between Christian organizations and AI technology companies can ensure that ministry-specific tools are developed with a clear understanding of the challenges and goals of evangelism and discipleship.
Transhumanism
- Closing the gap between the church and Transhumanism requires a balanced and proactive approach that aligns technological advancements with Christian ethical and theological values. The focus is on using enhancement technologies to alleviate suffering and promote human dignity, ensuring these tools serve humanity without redefining its God-given identity.
- Clear guidelines are needed for how Transhumanist technologies can ethically support well-being. These guidelines should emphasize health improvements, cognitive assistance, and quality-of-life enhancements while avoiding any attempt to alter fundamental aspects of human nature.
- Establishing a theological framework that respects the benefits and limitations of human enhancement is essential.
- Church leaders and Christian ethicists should work together to develop educational resources that guide believers in responsibly navigating Transhumanist technologies. These resources can help the church engage thoughtfully with enhancement advancements without compromising spiritual values.
- Building partnerships with ethical technology developers and medical professionals can also create opportunities for developing health-focused tools that support well-being without compromising Christian beliefs. Through these collaborations, the church can guide Transhumanist technologies to serve humanity while preserving the spiritual and moral values integral to the Christian faith.
Communicating a Prayerful Proposal
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
When thoughtfully and ethically applied, AI can be a powerful tool to support the spread of the gospel and enhance the effectiveness of the Great Commission in today’s digital age. Christ’s mandate to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19-20) remains the church’s core mission. Yet, challenges persist in reaching unreached people groups, overcoming language barriers, and providing personalized discipleship in remote or restricted regions.
Our proposal centers on the strategic use of AI to bridge these gaps by:
- Enhancing gospel accessibility across languages and cultures,
- Personalizing discipleship journeys for believers, and
- Strengthening evangelistic outreach through data-driven insights and secure digital platforms.
This approach calls for collaboration with bioethicists, Christian leaders, and technology developers to guide the ethical use of human enhancement tools. Such partnerships ensure that these technologies support humanity’s well-being without compromising its sacred identity or elevating physical enhancements over spiritual growth.
Transhumanism
When approached with discernment and aligned with Christian values, Transhumanist technologies can enhance human life and alleviate suffering, serving as a supportive tool to improve health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. However, as the church remains committed to Christ’s mission, it must ensure that these technologies honor God’s design for humanity, preserving human dignity and spiritual growth.
Our proposal focuses on the responsible use of Transhumanist advancements to:
- Support physical and mental health improvements without compromising spiritual values,
- Encourage compassionate applications of technology for those in need, and
- Promote ethical reflections on human enhancement, upholding humility, empathy, and reliance on God.
This approach calls for collaboration with bioethicists, Christian leaders, and technology developers to guide the ethical use of human enhancement tools. Such partnerships ensure that these technologies support humanity’s well-being without compromising its sacred identity or elevating physical enhancements over spiritual growth.
Acknowledgments
Sharoon Sarfraz – Content Specialist
Dr. Latha Christie – Content Specialist
Joseph Sam – Facilitator
Joshua Vijayam – Facilitator
Tim Kyle – Affinity Host, Kingdom Impact
Cedric Kanana – Affinity Host, World Religions
Rajesh Duthie – Affinity Host, Mission Strategy
Ricki Gidoomal – Affinity Host, Contextual Mission
Billy Coppedge – Affinity Host, Whole-Life Mission
Jieen Chen – Affinity Host, Reaching People
Omar Fidel Viazcan – Affinity Host, Justice & Advocacy
Authors
Sharoon Sarfraz
A Former corporate professional turned Christian ministry leader, dedicated to spreading faith and compassion by developing digital gospel products. As the CEO of Glee Technologies, Sharoon Sarfraz is dedicated to helping people, promoting harmony, and spreading the word of hope and transformation via faith. He also uses his technical expertise to encourage spiritual development and community service with a passion for making a greater kingdom Impact. In his voluntary association, He works with the WEA Alliance Engagement Department. He also serves on the Board of Lausanne Movement Pakistan, the Lausanne Movement Advisory Group of workplace ministries, the Board of AFCI International in Pakistan, the Evangelical Alliance of Pakistan, and SUPPORT CHILDREN in Pakistan. He is interested in the topic of AI, Technology and Faith, and has spoken on many platforms, including WEA and Lausanne Movement, including Lausanne Asia2020 Congress and Lausanne Movement 4th World Congress. He is part of the FaithTech Global Movement and is leading this initiative in Pakistan as the City Lead for Islamabad. He is based in Islamabad, Pakistan. He is married to Saba Gill and has a daughter and a son.
Dr. Latha Christie
Dr. Latha Christie is a Senior Scientist with over 36 years of experience in the Government of India. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering and her Master’s and Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Additionally, she holds an International Executive Diploma in Project Management and Leadership from I2P2M in collaboration with the George Washington University School of Business, Washington DC, USA. For more than 15 years, she has served as both Project Director and Head of HR. She is the recipient of the prestigious Prof. Satish Dhawan Award for Engineers for outstanding achievements in engineering sciences. Other honors include the Women Achiever Award from the Federation of Karnataka in 2022, the AGNI Team Award for Excellence in Self-Reliance, various Best Technical Paper awards at conferences, and the President Scout Award. Dr. Christie has published around 70 papers in peer-reviewed journals and conferences and has authored four books. Her book Beyond the Boundaries of Science explores how the Bible aligns with science. Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in theology, focusing on Artificial General Intelligence and human identity. Passionate about the intersection of science and faith, she has released a 20-episode YouTube documentary on Genesis 1 titled The Grand Cosmic Story. She also has training in Intelligent Design from the Discovery Institute in Seattle. In addition to her scientific and theological pursuits, Dr. Christie is passionate about raising women leaders to build God’s Kingdom. She was instrumental in starting the Deborah Rise Movement to empower and support women in this cause. Dr. Christie resides in Bangalore, India, and has two sons who are settled in the United States.