The relationship between faith and storytelling has at all times been central to Christianity. From the parables of Jesus to grand cinematic adaptations of biblical narratives, each generation has found recent ways to bring Scripture to life.
Today, artificial intelligence presents an unprecedented opportunity: the flexibility to generate detailed visual interpretations of biblical stories at a fraction of the associated fee of traditional filmmaking. But while AI holds great promise as a tool for evangelism, it also raises serious theological and ethical questions on the character of divine revelation, artistic integrity, and the role of human interpretation.
Imagine a feature-length film of the Book of Jonah, created almost entirely by AI. The storm-tossed ship, the good fish, Jonah’s reluctant journey to Nineveh – each scene rendered in stunning realism, accessible to audiences worldwide.
Traditionally, such a project would require enormous financial investment, expert animators, actors, and months – if not years – of labor. AI, in contrast, offers the potential for near-instant creation, democratising biblical storytelling in ways previously unimaginable.
High-quality animated movies, which might typically take a team of human animators painstaking months to finish, could as a substitute be generated in a fraction of the time, potentially bringing biblical narratives to the screen with unprecedented speed and accessibility.
Ministries, churches, and independent Christian filmmakers could produce high-quality biblical content without counting on the unpredictable interests of Hollywood studios. Evangelism, particularly in a digital age, may very well be transformed.
Yet AI’s efficiency and accessibility don’t come without challenges. Theological accuracy is one of the vital pressing concerns. AI models generate content based on pre-existing data, which suggests they’re shaped by algorithms fairly than by a deep understanding of Scripture.
While human filmmakers bring artistic interpretation to biblical stories, in addition they engage in theological study, historical research, and spiritual discernment.
Can an AI, which lacks a soul, wisdom, or reverence for God’s Word, faithfully depict a story meant to convey divine truth? If an AI-generated film subtly alters a biblical message – perhaps adding dramatic tension where none existed, or failing to capture the nuances of ancient Near Eastern culture – does it risk misleading audiences fairly than drawing them closer to the center of Scripture?
For some theologians, the difficulty runs deeper. The interpretation of God’s Word has at all times been a sacred task, requiring prayer, study, and guidance from the Holy Spirit. The introduction of AI into this process raises questions on what it means for human beings to interact with Scripture. Is it possible for AI-generated content to reflect God’s inspiration, or does it reduce sacred storytelling to a mechanical process? Could it inadvertently encourage passivity in biblical engagement, where people devour visually stunning content without wrestling with the deeper truths of the text?
At the identical time, Christian history has at all times been marked by technological change. The printing press made the Bible widely available, radio and tv brought the Gospel to recent audiences, and the web revolutionised evangelism. AI may simply be the most recent tool on this ongoing evolution. If guided by sound theology, it could function a strong means of constructing Scripture accessible to those that might never open a Bible but would watch a compelling visual narrative of its stories.
The challenge is ensuring that AI doesn’t grow to be an unchecked force shaping biblical interpretation, but fairly a tool used with wisdom, discernment, and faithfulness to the text.
When all is claimed and done, the query is one in all stewardship. AI is neither inherently good nor bad; its value will depend on the way it is used. If deployed with theological integrity, it could grow to be a priceless aid in sharing the Gospel. But if it prioritises spectacle over Scripture, or convenience over careful interpretation, it risks distorting the very message it seeks to speak.
As Christian filmmakers, scholars, and leaders navigate this recent landscape, they should ask: does AI help us proclaim God’s truth more clearly, or does it obscure the deeper call to interact with His Word?
How this technology is used could radically shape the longer term of biblical storytelling, and with it, the way in which generations encounter the Good News.
Duncan Williams is outreach director for the Christian Free Press and has worked for Son Christian Media here within the UK and Recovery Network Radio within the United States. He is an ordained minister and a long-term member of Christians in Media. He provides content and syndicated news for regional publisher www.inyourarea.co.uk
