Let’s face it: AI is no longer on the horizon—it’s here. From automating tasks to creating content, from personalized medicine to intelligent analytics, artificial intelligence is becoming the silent engine behind everything. As leaders, we don’t get the luxury of ignorance or avoidance. The question is not whether to engage with AI, but how.
And that leads to a bigger question: What would Jesus say about AI?
That’s not just a provocative thought experiment. It’s a challenge. Because the moment we remove Jesus from the future, we lead without the very wisdom we claim to follow.
Jesus Was Never Afraid of Tools
Jesus was a carpenter, a builder, a creator. He used the tools of His time to bring form, function, and purpose into being. He also walked in a world of Roman engineering, synagogue scrolls, temple systems, and seafaring boats. Never once did He reject the tools—He reframed them.
He would not fear AI. He would frame it.
He would call out its power for both good and evil. He would challenge us to use it to feed the hungry, teach the poor, amplify the message of the Kingdom, and guard against exploitation and pride. He would remind us: tools don’t sin, but people do.
The Christian Controversy: Is AI Evil?
In many Christian circles, AI is met with suspicion—even outright condemnation. Some call it demonic, a threat to God’s image, or a stepping stone to a soulless future. These concerns aren’t baseless—there are legitimate questions about ethics, autonomy, and the human soul. But fear alone is not a strategy.Ignoring the situation leads to miss opportunity. Ignoring AI does not protect our faith—it reduces faith to irrelevant.
We must ask: How do 21st-century Christians embrace the tools of our time without compromising the truth of eternity?
The answer is not retreat. It’s engagement. As with every new advancement—from the printing press to the internet—followers of Jesus must lead not just with caution, but with conviction. We have an opportunity to shape the future, not simply survive it.
The Christian Ethic of AI: It Starts with Purpose
If we are disciples of Jesus, our use of AI must be grounded in Kingdom values:
How Do We Work It Into Our Lives?
AI is already in our inbox, our workflows, our calendars, our newsfeeds. The question for leaders is: how do we integrate it?
When We Invest but Aren’t Ready
Scripture is filled with moments where someone invested into something they didn’t fully understand or weren’t prepared to steward well:
What If Jesus Gave a Sermon on AI?
He would likely start with a parable.
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a wise servant who discovered a powerful tool. He did not bury it. He did not boast in it. He used it to multiply his master’s mission. But he kept his heart humble and his hands clean.”
Jesus would not unplug from the world to stay pure. He would plug in with purpose.
The Leadership Challenge: Don’t Just Watch the Future—Shape It
We are not called to sit on the sidelines. We are called to lead with courage, creativity, and Christlikeness. Don’t wait for the Church or culture to catch up. Lead now.
Ask yourself:
Jesus isn’t afraid of AI. And if He isn’t, why should we be?
Lead on. Lead well. And let your leadership reflect the One who is never surprised or intimidated by the future—because He is already there.
