AI and Biblical Research
Ray Copeland
In recent years artificial intelligence, or AI, has made quite a splash in the collective social consciousness. From recipes and meal plans to vacations and book reports AI seems to be taking the world by storm. Promising to relieve users of pesky, repetitive tasks and provide all the information that we need with just a few well worded queries. And this has extended into biblical research as well. And that is not, necessarily, a bad thing.
AI can be a great tool to assist a student or teacher in the preparation of materials for learning or to hone and argument or to find obscure references that would otherwise have gone unexplored. But there are some things that invite caution. As with any technology, it is a tool and not an answer. Used properly AI will prove to be a boon to those that are researching a particular topic. Used improperly it can lead to unsupported argumentation and false confidence about the weight of our own beliefs. Let's take a look at the good and the bad side of AI when it comes to biblical studies. [Continue reading this important article by clicking HERE.]
The best thing about AI in research is ease of use. A user can simply send the artificial research assistant on an errand to find the most obscure or least known reference and have it back in seconds. Statistics and facts are at the fingertips of researcher more quickly than they can take a sip of their coffee. Gone are the days of struggling through internet pages, encyclopedia pages, reference books, atlases and the like. Do you need to know how far it is from Bethel to Beersheba? Just ask. How many gallons of water did Jesus turn into wine? No need even for a calculator. Who was healed of leprosy in the Old Testament? You don't even have to remember if it was Elisha or Elijah that did it. Facts and answers abound. The time saved can be used for so many other things. It is not that we are short changing the process of preparation, it is that we can take the effort that would have gone into the search for basic background information and use that to further develop the application of the lesson, for example.
What are the dangers of using AI for biblical research? Let’s allow Deep Seek to answer that question for itself:
Using AI for biblical research can offer many benefits, such as analyzing large volumes of text, identifying patterns, and providing insights into historical and linguistic contexts. However, there are also potential dangers and challenges associated with its use. Here are some key concerns:
1. Misinterpretation of Texts and Lack of Contextual Understanding:
- AI may struggle to fully grasp the historical, cultural, and theological nuances of biblical texts, leading to oversimplified or incorrect interpretations.
- Literal vs. Figurative Language: AI might misinterpret metaphorical or symbolic language in the Bible, treating it as literal or vice versa.
2. Bias in AI Models
- Training Data Bias: AI models are trained on existing data, which may contain biases. If the training data reflects a particular theological perspective, the AI's output may be skewed.
- Developer Bias: The creators of the AI system may inadvertently introduce their own biases into the model, influencing its interpretations.
3. Over-Reliance on Technology
- Reduction of Critical Thinking: Relying too heavily on AI for biblical research might discourage individuals from engaging deeply with the text and developing their own understanding.
- Erosion of Traditional Scholarship: Over-dependence on AI could marginalize the role of human scholars, theologians, and historians in biblical studies.
4. Ethical Concerns
- Privacy Issues: If AI is used to analyze personal or sensitive data related to religious practices, there could be privacy concerns.
- Manipulation: AI could be used to manipulate biblical interpretations to support specific agendas or ideologies.
5. Loss of Human Connection
- Spiritual Disconnect: Engaging with scripture is often a deeply personal and spiritual experience. Relying on AI might distance individuals from the emotional and spiritual aspects of biblical study.
- Community Impact: Biblical research and interpretation are often communal activities. Over-reliance on AI could diminish the role of community and dialogue in understanding scripture.
6. Technical Limitation
- Language Barriers: Ancient languages like Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek are complex and nuanced. AI might struggle with accurate translation and interpretation.
- Ambiguity and Contradictions: The Bible contains passages that are ambiguous or seemingly contradictory. AI might not handle these complexities well, leading to misleading conclusions.
7. Theological Implications
- Authority and Authenticity: Some religious communities may question the authority of AI-generated interpretations, preferring traditional methods of biblical exegesis.
- Doctrinal Conflicts: AI interpretations might conflict with established doctrines, causing tension within religious communities.
8. Security Risks
- Data Integrity: If AI systems are used to store and analyze biblical texts, there is a risk of data breaches or corruption, which could compromise the integrity of the research.
While AI can be a valuable tool in biblical research, it is important to approach its use with caution. Researchers should be aware of its limitations and potential biases, and strive to use AI as a complement to, rather than a replacement for, traditional methods of biblical study. Balancing technological advancements with human insight and spiritual discernment is key to ensuring that AI enhances, rather than detracts from, the richness of biblical scholarship.
The most obvious problem is we have a tendency to think of AI as a person with whom we are chatting. We tend to see the language model, because of its ability to be conversant, as a form of consciousness and ascribe to it some level of awareness. We can think that if the AI bot tells us the information that we want to hear that means that we must be right. After all, it is a computer with the wealth of human knowledge at its digital fingertips. Surely if it agrees with me that means my argumentation is airtight. That is simply not the case. With every question, every query, every follow-up we are training the model to provide the answers that will keep us asking questions. If it simply contradicts us at every turn we will find a model that is more agreeable. In short, you can just train it to be biased in your favor. This can lead to an overestimation of the strength, truth, or even coherence of our arguments. This is especially true in the field of apologetics, as you might imagine.
Ultimately AI, as we have it, is not so much intelligent as it is artificial. It is a Large Language Model. It is excellent for facts but terrible for interpretation. It uses huge swaths of language to process and understand queries from users. (Even “understand” is probably overstated here.) The results can be interesting, amazing, natural, and deceptive. It can seem as though you are leading a perfectly logical opponent down the Socratic path to the answers that you want it to give, and with you being the master of logic and thought. A clever user can manipulate the AI to reach any desired conclusion. AI is not about conclusions; it is about research. And when we get that confused we can end up in some awkward places.
- Ray Copeland is Assistant Pastor of Caney Creek Apostolic Tabernacle (Conroe, TX)
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