Wisdom in an Age of AI
Wednesday’s Verse:
From 1 Thessalonians 5:21 ESV
“Test everything; hold fast to what is good.”
AI can write this paragraph (it didn’t). Or create the image above (it did). Summarize articles you read online (the NY Post does this well). Or mimic human speech (just try what Google offers). AI can be helpful: connecting with others, learning new skills, translating languages, organizing data, maybe even finding the right word when you can’t think of it yourself.
But AI is not human. It does not reflect God’s image. It cannot love its neighbor, repent of sins, accept forgiveness, pray to God, suffer patiently, hope in salvation, or trust in Christ. AI is a tool. A tool created by humans — humans who are gifted, but also fallen, just like you and me.
That’s where our wisdom comes in. As Christians, we should neither fear nor love AI. Rather than panic or blindly embrace every new technology, let’s use our heads. As St. Paul says, “Test everything; hold fast to what is good.” When new technology helps us serve our neighbor, uphold what is true, and allows humanity to flourish, we can use those tools wisely and thank God for them. But we must push back against technology that spreads lies, takes advantage of the vulnerable, erodes personal responsibility, or distracts us from enjoying real human contact by offering a technological imitation.
Lutherans know our salvation isn’t dependent on what we create or accomplish. We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. No algorithm can outperform or amplify the grace of God poured out for us in Jesus Christ. And no technological advance can replace the Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed, the waters of Baptism, the body and blood of Christ given to us in the Lord’s Supper, or the Church itself.
AI may be smart, but it is not Lord. Christ is Lord. So you and I can approach this newest technological advance with neither fear nor foolishness, but with faith, discernment, and love for our neighbors.
✝️ A Prayer for Today
Lord God, who grants wisdom to all: Thank You for human knowledge and ingenuity. As we welcome new technologies into our lives, give us wisdom to use them well. Keep us mindful of Your truth, mindful of Your words, and aware of our neighbors' true needs. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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