ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI and launched in November 2022. After hearing all the hubbub as you may have yourself, I thought I’d give it a try. Admittedly I am perfectly capable of researching and formulating my own conclusions, however let’s give it a go, just for fun, a change of pace as it were.
I asked it: What is truth? Now I certainly didn’t expect ChatGPT to be biased towards Christianity or any other religion for that matter, however I do find it fascinating how it formulated its answer:
As an AI language model, I do not determine truth on my own, but rather, I rely on the information and data that are fed into my system by humans. I use complex algorithms and natural language processing techniques to analyze and understand the patterns, relationships, and meanings in the language data I receive, and to generate responses based on that analysis.
Hmm, I agree with part of the first sentence. Truth is determined by an impartial, immutable source. For this reason, if its source is of human reasoning (potential garbage in/ garbage out) it will by nature be prone to error and amendment. Real, experiential relationships are crucial in developing a proper understanding of language. Clearly it’s becoming rather painstaking to keep abreast of todays “word definition gymnastics”.
The determination of truth involves evaluating the accuracy, reliability, and validity of information or claims, and it typically requires critical thinking skills and a rigorous process of inquiry and verification.
This is quite true. I should ask ChatGPT if it knows about the accuracy and reliably of the Bible? It’s quite astounding, especially when compared to the collective works of historic literature. It’s hard to conceive that this oversight was unintentional. For I myself, a mere mortal, found relevant information here in just a few milliseconds: https://www.ics.uci.edu/~asuncion/transmission_accuracy.htm
Some common approaches to determining truth include: Fact-checking: verifying the accuracy of information or claims against reliable and independent sources of information.
Yes, I would remind ChatGPT of the Dead Sea Scrolls and other various first and second century non-biblical writings as mentioned above.
Evidence-based reasoning: relying on empirical evidence and data to support or refute claims.
Records of eyewitness testimony is evidence.🙋♂️🙋♀️ All 66 books of the Bible are plum full of it. Obviously WE weren’t there but our ancestors were, and they wrote about it.
Logical reasoning: applying critical thinking skills to evaluate the coherence and consistency of arguments and evidence. Consistency you say?
Again, 66 books written over hundreds of years all landing in the same message from beginning to end, entirely coherent and consistent.
Scientific method: using a systematic and controlled approach to test hypotheses and generate knowledge.
Historical evidence of man-made structures, geography, and recorded events should qualify here.
Ultimately, determining truth is a complex and nuanced process that requires careful consideration of multiple perspectives and sources of information, as well as a willingness to engage in ongoing inquiry and reflection.
The historically significant Council of Nicaea in AD 325 was the first effort to attain consensus in the church through an assembly representing all of Christendom, and where the technical aspects of Christology were discussed. Thus, our present day Bible was painstakingly assembled and codified.
My conclusion is that if the human creators of ChatGPT removed all bias from its programming their ChatGPT would have to conclude that Jesus Christ was either Lord, a liar, or a lunatic. There is no remaining option. When I asked ChatGPT if Jesus is God, here is the answer I received:
The question of whether Jesus was God is a matter of theological interpretation and belief, and there are different perspectives on this question among different religious traditions.
Ultimately, whether or not Jesus was God is a matter of faith and belief, let’s be clear about that. But let’s not pretend to ignore that the Bible plainly teaches that Jesus is Almighty God. The choice whether to believe it or not….is yours. Allow me to remind you of something I wrote a few months ago to clarify the mystery of Christ:
Thanks for reading,
Jim
So much to unpack here, like the question "how does one know anything?". But I will be brief. What stood out for me was this - "...the language data I receive..." The chatbot isn't even evaluating the content or meaning of the data as we do, it doesn't have that depth of knowledge or understanding. It is only evaluating linguistic symbols.
Online greetings, once again, brother Jim. This is another interesting article (which also references your 12/10/2022 article, which includes my 12/11/2022 comment and your kind reply).
I'd come across the ChatGPT website, with brief interest. I had thought about publishing a similar article, as you have done, but I didn't. Yesterday, for a particular business, I had tried to reach “customer service” by calling their “customer service” number. For the life of me, no matter how I tried, the “robot” (so-called “artificial intelligence”) could not get me to a real person. I hung up, before the “robot” hung up on me! That business will never get any money from me. I won't every buy anything from them. They lost. I won. That's the “new normal” in “customer service,” which I despise.
Your article is similar to my ongoing Christian Evidences series. The series article, of 3/14/2023, proves biblical inspiration from historical accuracy -- including preliminaries on the concept of inspiration, the Canon of Scripture, and the art and science of textual criticism.
That Jesus is the eternally God the Word -- who became incarnate, as the Messiah, who sacrificed himself vicariously for humankind's (and my) sin, who arise, and who ascended back to heaven – is certainly faith – not blind faith – based on abundant evidence.
Did “artificial intelligence” (AI) simply evolve from a spontaneous grouping of matter? Did a bolt of lightning randomly form AI, by striking several random molecules at just the right moment? Who created AI? Who created the creators of AI?
I see several atheists squirming. Don't you? I thought that you did also! Take care and be blessed in His service, brother!