Not long ago, I came across one of the saddest videos I’ve ever seen: a pastor excitedly sharing how a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform allows people from his church to interact with him at any time. Actually, they’re not interacting with him; they’re interacting with a virtual form of him. Nor is it free to do so: pastoral care from the virtual “pastor” costs $49.
As Christians, we believe that technology can be used for great good. God is introduced to us in the Bible as Creator. The brilliant mind of God is responsible for all we see each day, showing us just how valuable intelligence, creativity, and development are. In the Garden of Eden, God’s image-bearer, Adam, was not called to leave everything as it was; he was called to exercise dominion over the earth (Gen. 1:26-28).
We Christians are thankful for all sorts of technology. We benefit from advanced medical care for our physical pains; we eat delicious food produced by kitchen gadgets and tools; we rejoice when unbelievers around the world hear the gospel and biblical truth through AI, the Internet, and easy-to-use apps.
However, our technology usage has limits. For example, we would not want to replace fathers and mothers with AI “parents.” Flesh-and-blood fathers and mothers are essential! Neither would we want to swap out our kids for AI “children.” Our boys and girls are made by God and full of wonder (Psalm 127:3).
So, too, with pastors. While it’s terrific to have an avalanche of good sermons, podcasts, and other Internet resources from godly teachers and preachers, no online voice can stand in for a true pastor. We all need a shepherd who knows us, loves us, and points us to God in a steady, stable, kind, convictional, and humble manner.
Every good pastor reminds us of the true Shepherd of the sheep, Jesus Christ; he is the “Good Shepherd” (John 10:11). As such, Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us; he lives to care for us in a close, caring, and loving way.
That is exactly what we celebrate in the Christmas season: Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14), “God with us.” Jesus has drawn near to us and has made atonement for us; we are no longer alone.
None of this heavenly ministry, by the way, costs us a dime. Virtual pastors may charge for their services, but the blood of Christ is free—eternally free.