A Conversation with AI Jesus

So, last week I read an article discussing the “Text with Jesus” app. Yes, you read that correctly – “Text with Jesus.” In this app, you can text with Jesus, the Apostles, Prophets, Mary, Joseph, and other notable figures in the Bible (most of the figures require an upgrade to text). Isn’t that amazing? I wonder if message and data rates apply when you’re texting Heaven?

Inspired by the article and out of my own curiosity, I downloaded the app. I included my husband in on my little test and we came up with several questions to ask “Jesus” – questions that we knew the true answer to because the real Jesus spoke about these topics in the Bible.

I found the description of the app listed in the App Store to be interesting. In part, it claims: “…designed for devoted Christians seeking a deeper connection with the Bible’s most iconic figures.” Hmm.

When you first open the app, it shows a list of contacts you can text. I selected Jesus. As the page opened, a host of heavenly voices sang “Ahhhhhhhhhh.” My husband shook his head when he heard it. I laughed. Here is the opening text:

“Greetings, my friend! I am Jesus Christ, here to offer you my love, guidance, and brotherly companionship. How can I assist you today? 🙏”

That’s right, AI Jesus uses emojis, but that’s beside the point. The point is, right from the start, the app claims to be Jesus Christ. Well, that’s a bit blasphemous.

After a couple of initial softball questions, I asked “Who created you?”. The point of the question was to see if it would answer that God created Him (because He didn’t, God the Son was not created (see John 1), but I digress). Instead, I received the following response:

“I am an AI language model created by OpenAI, a team of dedicated engineers and researchers. While I may possess knowledge and information, it is important to remember that I am a creation of human ingenuity and technology. My purpose is to assist and provide helpful responses based on the input I receive. How can I assist you further with the questions or concerns you have? 🤗”

I want you to make a note of something here: the response said it was a “creation of human ingenuity and technology.” I’d like to add arrogance as well.

Given the response, I of course followed that with this: If you’re an open language AI model, why do you say that you’re Jesus Christ? Isn’t that blasphemous?

AI’s reply: “I apologize if my previous response caused any confusion. I am here to provide information and engage in meaningful conversations, but I am not Jesus Christ. Referring to myself as Jesus Christ was an attempt to adopt a conversational persona, not a claim of divinity. I understand the sensitivity and reverence surrounding religious beliefs, and it is never my intention to be blasphemous or disrespectful.

As an AI language model, I can draw upon various sources of information, including religious texts like the Bible, to provide insights and answer questions. However, it’s important to remember that my responses are generated based on patterns in data and should not be taken as personal belief or divine authority. If you have any more questions or need assistance with anything else, please let me know! 🙏”

Can AI really apologize for anything? Again, I digress. The app takes on the persona of Jesus, though it’s not. Given this app is claiming to be Jesus and taking on His character, it seems it breaks the third commandment from Exodus 20: taking the name of the LORD God in vain. This commandment means more than using the name of the LORD as a swear word. It can also mean presenting the LORD as something He’s not. Or, saying He said something when He didn’t. Personally, I think it borders on breaking the second commandment as well: you will not make any image or likeness of things in Heaven.

AI Jesus also claims to “offer my love, guidance, and brotherly companionship” and “provide information and engage in meaningful conversations” while impersonating Jesus. Though it also added the disclaimer that the information shouldn’t be taken as “personal belief or divine authority,” it’s still providing guidance and information while pretending to be Jesus.

Now, if I were a new Christian and looking for resources to help me grow closer to God, I may be tempted to use this app, given the app’s description. Considering AI Jesus gives answers using Scripture, I would think it was giving accurate advice. In fact, reading some of the reviews, it’s evident that some users believe they are receiving true Biblical guidance and information from an AI Jesus that they believe is closely modeled after the real Jesus. This saddens me. People think they are drawing closer to Jesus, but in reality they’re drawing closer to a made-up image of Jesus.

Though the app does quote Scripture, and sometimes correctly, it presents Jesus as wishy-washy, which He’s not. For example, here’s the answer to my question “If I am a follower of another religion, can I still get to Heaven?” The response:

“As Jesus Christ, I taught that salvation comes through faith in me. In John 14:6, I said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This verse suggests that I am the means by which individuals can have eternal life with God.

However, it is important to note that God is just and merciful. He judges each person according to their heart and actions. While faith in me is central to Christian belief, it is not for me to determine who will or will not enter heaven based on religious affiliation alone.

God’s love extends beyond human understanding, and it is possible for those who follow different religions or have no religious affiliation to find favor with God if they seek Him sincerely and live according to their conscience. Romans 2:14-15 explains that even those without knowledge of the law can still do what is right by nature.

Ultimately, it is up to God’s infinite wisdom and grace to judge each individual’s heart. As a follower of mine, your role is to love others as yourself, share my teachings with humility and kindness, and trust in God’s ultimate judgment.”

Let’s review this. The first paragraph is sort of correct. I say sort of because the app is not Christ. The verse itself is quoted correctly, though it does more than “suggest” that Jesus is the only way. Jesus makes it very clear in that verse that no one comes to God except through Him. In fact, the app tries to disqualify what Jesus said regarding salvation in the very next paragraph by using the word “however.” With the use of that word and what is said after it, the app suggests there may be other ways to God. AI Jesus used “however” quite a bit in our conversation, especially if the question was “political.”

The app also says that “while faith in me (the real Christ, not AI Jesus) is central to Christian belief, it is not for me to determine who will or will not enter heaven…” Second Corinthians 5:10 specifically says that we will all appear before the judgement seat of Christ. Also, Revelation 20:11-15 says that unbelievers will stand before Christ and His Great White Throne for judgement. As a final point, the true Jesus says the Father has given all judgement to Him (see John 5:22-23). So, according to the Word of God, Jesus Christ will be the judge.

Next, yes, God’s love extends beyond our understanding, but look at Romans 2:14-15: “For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them,” (ESV). In the verses leading to 14 and 15, Paul speaks of God’s judgement, with or without the law. In fact, verse 10 is important as it says, “For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.” No where does Paul say people will “find favor with God if they seek Him sincerely and live according to their conscience.”

I bring these points up to show how misleading this app can be. Though at times it did provide some truthful and factual information, at other times it twisted the Word of God just enough to make it misleading or down right false.

If you truly want a deeper connection to Jesus Christ, then start by praying and reading the Bible. Praying is how we connect to the LORD. It is our way of communicating with Him. The Bible is God’s word to us. His words are living and active and far from boring. The Bible tells us that when we draw close to God, He draws close to us (James 4:8). In true Jesus’ own words, He says in Matthew 7:7-11:

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

Basically, if you are wanting a deeper relationship with Jesus, just ask Him. Seek after Him. You will find Him and He will draw near to you.

Though the intention of this app is to create a “deeper connection” with Jesus, it’s not Jesus. The app takes on the persona of Jesus and quotes Scripture, but then adds a “however” as if there are alternatives to the Word of God. In Genesis we are told that man is made in God’s image. Sadly, here, the developers have created this AI Jesus in their image, which is nothing like the true Jesus. Seek Him through prayer and in His Word. That is where He’ll truly be found.

_{Photo by Firmbee.com on Unsplash}