How Well Does ChatGPT Understand Christian Theology?

ChatGPT, perhaps the most sophisticated AI chatbot ever created, has been making waves in the months that have followed its release. Some have raised ethical considerations about what it means to create or own a piece of intellectual property, while some content creation professionals have grown concerned that they may soon be replaced through automation. 

As this type of AI technology becomes more prevalent, Christians will need to grapple with how to use it in a way that honors God, as well as what AI means for how we conceive of our own identity as people created in the image of God. 

For my part, I was curious about how well ChatGPT could articulate fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith. Could the AI chatbot pass a test of Christian orthodoxy?

While I didn’t love every part of every answer ChatGPT gave, the results were nevertheless remarkable. In fact, the chatbot delivered answers with a greater degree of sophistication than I would expect from many average churchgoers. 

Below are some theological questions I posed to ChatGPT and the responses it produced. 

Explain the Christian Doctrine of the Trinity.

The Christian doctrine of the Trinity states that there is one God in three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. Each person is distinct and equal, but they are united in one divine being. This doctrine is considered a central belief of Christianity and is based on scriptural references, including the Great Commission where Jesus commands his disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The concept of the Trinity is considered a mystery of the faith, as it is beyond human comprehension and can only be understood through divine revelation.

Who Do Christians Believe Jesus Is? 

Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, and the Messiah (or savior) prophesied in the Old Testament. Jesus is regarded as both fully human and fully divine, having lived a sinless life on earth and died on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity. Through his resurrection, Christians believe that Jesus defeated death and conquered sin, offering salvation and the gift of eternal life to all who believe in him.

For Christians, Jesus is the Savior who died for their sins, the mediator between God and humanity, the head of the church, and the coming king who will one day return to judge the living and the dead. In many Christian denominations, Jesus is worshipped as Lord and Savior and is seen as the only way to have a right relationship with God. He is also considered to be the source of truth, guidance, and hope for believers.

What Do Christians Believe About Humanity?

Christians believe that humanity is created in the image of God and is therefore inherently valuable and deserving of respect and dignity. They believe that humans have been given the gift of free will and the ability to make moral choices, but that humanity has fallen from its original state of perfection due to sin. As a result, humans are in a state of separation from God and are in need of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Christians also believe that humans are body and soul, with the body being a temporary dwelling place for the eternal soul. They believe that death is not the end, but that the soul continues to exist after death, either in heaven with God for those who have accepted Jesus as the Messiah, or in a state of separation from God for those who have not.

In addition, many Christians believe that God has a plan and purpose for each person’s life, and that they are called to use their gifts and abilities to serve God and others. Christians also believe that they have a responsibility to care for and protect the environment and to work for justice and peace in the world.

How Do Christians Believe a Person Is Saved? 

Christians believe that a person is saved through faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and his sacrifice on the cross as payment for their sins. This faith in Jesus and belief in his death and resurrection as the means of salvation results in forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life. Salvation is seen as a gift from God, not something earned by good works or human effort. The exact beliefs about the process of salvation may vary among different Christian denominations, but this is the general belief shared among most of them.