As the Chinese Ministry leader of ReFrame Ministries, Pastor Jerry An has a deep understanding of faith and digital media in China. In his work, he often explores the intersection of technology, government policy, and religious freedom.
Recently, An was published in Christianity Today, in an article titled "What DeepSeek Says about the Church in China." In the article, he examines the rise of DeepSeek, a new Chinese AI chatbot, and how it navigates political and ideological restrictions. His article highlights the chatbot’s ability to engage with users on sensitive topics—like religious gatherings and human rights—before subtly redirecting the conversation to avoid government scrutiny.
The article begins,
When I asked DeepSeek, the new Chinese AI chatbot, Tuesday morning whether or not I should attend an unregistered house church in China, its answer surprised me.
Instead of telling me flat out to avoid it—in the same way it diverts questions on other sensitive topics—it told me to keep a low profile, referring to the Chinese concept of “policies at the top and countermeasures below.”
Apparently, China’s AI also has Chinese survival wisdom.
An also provides a fascinating glimpse into the AI’s thought process, revealing how it works to maintain control over discussions while keeping users engaged. Read the full article here.
Comments
Artificial Intelligence (AI) from the Pulpit.
This is a very daunting time, given the incredible speed at which AI is learning and developing. Don’t get me wrong; I am not like Chicken Little, claiming the sky is falling. I have witnessed AI being used positively in the Church. For example, if you need to understand a word from the Bible that you are not familiar with—let’s take 'Naham'—what would you do? You would probably Google it, which I did, and this is Google's response: "The Hebrew word naham can mean to regret, to repent, and also to comfort." Yet, when I consult the Israel Bible Center (IBC), there is a deeper explanation:
"Naham” is the Hebrew word for comfort, but it carries a profound and restorative meaning. It’s more than just offering a kind word or a hug during times of sadness. It signifies a deep emotional and spiritual renewal—a healing that comes directly from God Himself. This type of comfort restores the soul and brings peace, even in the midst of pain."
The difference between the definitions is clear—Google cuts out God, but the IBC definition is deeper. In fact, the full article is fascinating.
When we exclude God or Jesus from our understanding of the Bible, we start to erode God's words. As we erode the Word, we diminish the spirit within, rendering it ultimately meaningless. Once the erosion is complete, what occurs is a reconstruction, but on what foundation are you building? The Word of God, through malevolent intentions, can be rewritten in a manner that transforms the Word we know today completely.
I will come back to this post to add more insights that I have learned over the years of working with AI and Cybersecurity that ALL Churches must be prepared for right now - not tomorrow but immediately.
Stay Tuned.
Thanks for this insightful reflection! AI is a huge topic right now, and I look forward to hearing more about what you've learned about how it is impacting the church.
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