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<\/figure>In this short clip, https:\/\/youtu.be\/lt88F9cbXw8<\/a>, the hosts of Core Christianity respond to a listener’s question about whether the “image of the beast” in Revelation 13, which is given “breath” to speak [00:11<\/a>], could be a form of artificial intelligence [00:31<\/a>]. The host, Adriel Sanchez, says this is unlikely [00:36<\/a>].<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n He explains that Revelation was written to persecuted Christians in the first century to encourage them to persevere [00:47<\/a>]. He argues that the “beasts” in Revelation, much like in the book of Daniel, are symbols for ungodly nations that persecute God’s people [01:01<\/a>]. The message was primarily to comfort its original audience by showing them that even this terrifying “beast” (representing pagan nations and rulers like Caesar) was “allowed” to do what it does [02:39<\/a>], meaning God was still in control [03:03<\/a>]. The imagery fit their reality perfectly, where they were forced to worship the “image of Caesar” or face death [03:46<\/a>]. While the spirit of antichrist continues today [03:22<\/a>], the primary interpretation was for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I. The Listener’s Question<\/strong> [00:00<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n II. The Host’s Primary Answer<\/strong> [00:36<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n III. Biblical Interpretation of “The Beast”<\/strong> [00:58<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n IV. The Meaning for the First-Century Audience<\/strong> [02:22<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2023 (a year after ChatGPT was released), a well-known Oxford professor, Christian mathematician, and author, Dr. John Lenox, shared his view about AI in an interview at https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=X8xooWDd4DM<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n In this interview, Dr. John Lennox discusses the rise of artificial intelligence from a theological and ethical perspective. He distinguishes between “Narrow AI” (ANI), which performs single tasks, and “General AI” (AGI), the hypothetical, human-level superintelligence [05:05<\/a>]. Lennox firmly states that current AI shows no signs of true sentience or consciousness, calling it a highly advanced simulation, not genuine thought [08:13<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n The main focus of the conversation is on the ethical lag in AI development. Lennox uses the analogy of a knife: it can be used for surgery or murder, and the same applies to AI, which can be used for medical breakthroughs or oppressive government surveillance [11:07<\/a>]. He connects the dangers of AI surveillance, such as social credit systems [23:28<\/a>] and “deep fakes” [25:55<\/a>], to the dystopian visions of Orwell and Huxley [12:06<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lennox argues that the biblical prophecies in 2 Thessalonians and the Book of Revelation, which describe a final, deceptive world leader who controls the economy and demands worship, are remarkably similar to the secular fears of a globe-spanning, AI-controlled “Omega Corporation” [15:37<\/a>]. He urges Christians not to dismiss these texts as “lunatic fringe” but to see them as a relevant scenario, warning against a coming global deception [17:08<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ultimately, he advises against both paranoid retreat and naive embrace. He encourages Christians to “not run away from the technology” [38:52<\/a>] but to get involved in the field to help shape its ethics [39:17<\/a>]. His final advice for believers is to protect their human agency by practicing “electronic fasting” [34:41<\/a>] and to anchor their hope not in resisting technology, but in the ultimate sovereignty of Christ [30:34<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n I. Introduction & Defining AI<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n II. The Dangers: Dystopian Futures & Biblical Prophecy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n III. Human Agency & The Christian Response<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In Aug. 2025, Andy Crouch<\/strong> (Christian author and former executive editor of Christianity Today) was interviewed on John Mark Comer\u2019s Practicing the Way channel at https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=K2j8053yxbE<\/a>. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities AI presents through the lens of Christian spiritual formation, viewing its emergence as a pivotal “2007 moment”<\/strong> (like the iPhone launch) that requires thoughtful pastoral leadership [00:33<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Crouch defines AI as the latest layer in the evolution of human tools: from skill-dependent tools<\/strong> (e.g., a hammer) to autonomous devices<\/strong> (e.g., a steam engine) to the world of digital information<\/strong> (e.g., screens), and finally to AI<\/strong>. This new layer possesses unprecedented capabilities: cultural\/linguistic fluency<\/strong>, simulated relational\/emotional intelligence<\/strong>, and high-level simulation power<\/strong> (generating images\/video) [07:41<\/a>]. The core concern is that AI promises the “superpower zone”<\/strong>\u2014a life of “effortless power”<\/strong> (maximal effect with minimal effort) [01:03:13<\/a>]\u2014which is fundamentally orthogonal<\/strong> (irrelevant and potentially harmful) to the Christian life. Discipleship to Jesus requires bearing a cross, friction, and difficulty for formation, while AI trains users to avoid this work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I. Introduction: The Challenge of AI for Spiritual Formation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n II. The Danger of Deformity and Disconnection<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nMulti-Level Outline<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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A Christian Scientist Perspective (Dr. John Lenox)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Multi-Level Outline<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Spiritual Formation Perspective (John Mark Comer, Andy Crouch)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Multi-Level Outline<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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