by Omorogieva Sylvester Ihonwa
On a humid Sunday morning in Lagos, a pastor paused his sermon and asked, “How many of you used an AI-powered app today?” A ripple of laughter followed as hands shot up across the sanctuary—some sheepish, some proud. The moment was light-hearted, but it revealed a profound truth: artificial intelligence, once the domain of science fiction and Silicon Valley, now threads its way through our daily routines, shaping how we work, learn, connect, and even worship.
For Christians, this technological shift is more than a matter of convenience or efficiency. It raises urgent questions about identity, community, justice, and hope. What does it mean to be human in an age of algorithms? How can the church respond wisely and faithfully as technology redefines work, privacy, and relationships? Where can we find God amidst rapid digital transformation?
This article seeks to explore these questions through analysis, real-life stories, and theological reflection. Drawing on conversations with theologians, tech professionals, and church leaders, as well as examples from Nigeria and beyond, I invite Radix readers to join a conversation about discernment, compassion, and hope in the digital age.
The AI Revolution: More Than Machines
Artificial intelligence is often misunderstood as a futuristic threat—robots taking jobs, machines outsmarting humans, or dystopian surveillance states. In reality, AI is already here, quietly shaping our world. It powers the recommendation engines behind Netflix and YouTube, the voice assistants on our phones, the facial recognition systems in airports, and the algorithms that determine credit scores or job applications.
In Nigeria, AI is transforming various sectors, including banking, agriculture, healthcare, and logistics. Start-ups use machine learning to predict crop yields, fintech companies deploy AI to detect fraud, and hospitals experiment with diagnostic algorithms. The benefits are tangible: increased efficiency, improved access, and new opportunities for innovation.
However, AI also presents risks—such as bias in decision-making, loss of privacy, job displacement, and the temptation to prioritize efficiency over empathy. As Dr. Adaobi Okafor, a theologian at the University of Ibadan, puts it, “Technology is never neutral. It shapes not just what we do, but who we become.”
For Christians, the challenge is not simply whether to use AI, but how to use it in a faithful manner. How do we ensure that technology serves human flourishing rather than undermining it? How do we resist the idolatries of control, speed, and profit, and instead cultivate wisdom, justice, and love?
One of the most profound questions AI raises is about the nature of humanity. If machines can write poetry, diagnose diseases, or simulate empathy, what distinguishes us? For centuries, Christian theology has affirmed that humans are made in the image of God—the imago Dei—not because of our intelligence or productivity, but because of our capacity for relationship, creativity, and moral responsibility.
Rev. Samuel Adeyemi, pastor of a thriving church in Lagos, reflects on this challenge. “AI can do many things faster and better than we can,” he says, “but it cannot love. It cannot forgive. It cannot bear the burdens of another. These are the marks of the Spirit.” He recounts a story from his congregation: a young woman, struggling with depression, found comfort not in an AI-powered mental health app, but in the patient listening of a church elder. “Technology can assist, but it cannot replace the ministry of presence,” Adeyemi concludes.
This distinction matters. In a world that prizes speed and efficiency, Christians are called to remember that our worth is not measured by productivity or algorithmic ranking, but by our belovedness in God’s eyes. The imago Dei reminds us that every person—regardless of status, ability, or digital literacy—is worthy of dignity and care.
The Church and the Digital Commons
If AI is changing the world, what role should the church play in this transformation? Responses vary widely. Some congregations embrace technology enthusiastically, streaming services online, using AI tools to analyse attendance patterns, or experimenting with digital liturgies. Others are more cautious, wary of surveillance, manipulation, or the erosion of community.
Dr. Okafor argues that the church must be both critical and creative. “We cannot simply baptize every new technology, nor can we retreat into nostalgia. We are called to discernment—to test the spirits, as Scripture says.” This means asking hard questions: Who benefits from AI? Who is left out? How does technology affect our attention, our relationships, our sense of justice?
At St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Abuja, a group of young adults launched a “Tech and Faith” forum. Each month, they gather to discuss topics like digital privacy, online addiction, and the ethics of automation. “We realized that most of our members were grappling with these issues alone,” says Chinedu, one of the organizers. “The church can be a space for honest conversation, where we bring our doubts and hopes before God.”
Ethical Dilemmas in an Algorithmic Age
This approach is echoed in other parts of the world. In the United States, some churches have appointed “digital deacons” to help members navigate online spaces safely. In South Korea, congregations use AI-powered translation tools to bridge language barriers and foster multicultural worship. In South Africa, faith-based organizations advocate for ethical AI policies that protect vulnerable communities.
AI brings with it a host of ethical challenges. Algorithms can perpetuate bias, amplify misinformation, or enable surveillance. In Nigeria, as in many countries, there are growing concerns about data privacy and the use of facial recognition by security agencies. Christians are not immune to these dilemmas.
Mrs. Grace Eze, a software engineer and church deaconess, shares her experience working on a fintech project. “We were building a loan approval system using AI. The data showed that certain groups were more likely to default, but we had to ask: Is it just to deny loans based on past patterns? What about grace, second chances?” For Eze, faith means not only technical excellence but also moral imagination. “We have to design systems that reflect our values, not just our efficiencies.”
Hopeful Engagement: Stories from the Field
Theologians like Dr. Okafor point to the biblical tradition of justice and compassion. “The prophets remind us to care for the widow, the orphan, the stranger. In a digital age, this means advocating for those who are marginalized by technology—those without access, those whose data is exploited, those whose jobs are threatened.”
Globally, these concerns are echoed by Christian ethicists. Dr. John Wyatt, a bioethicist in the UK, warns that “AI systems can reinforce existing inequalities if we are not vigilant.” He advocates for “algorithmic transparency”—ensuring that decision-making processes are open to scrutiny and challenge, particularly when they impact vulnerable individuals.
Despite the challenges, there are signs of hope. Across Nigeria and beyond, Christians are finding innovative ways to engage with AI, utilizing technology to serve their communities and bear witness to God’s love.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lagos Food Bank Initiative—a nutrition-focused NGO—turned to AI to identify neighborhoods most at risk of hunger. By analysing satellite imagery and social media data, volunteers could target food distributions more effectively. “We saw technology as a tool for compassion,” says Michael Olumide, one of the coordinators. “It helped us reach people who might otherwise have been invisible.”
At the height of lockdowns, many churches transitioned to online services. For some, this was a lifeline. Esther, a university student in Ibadan, joined a virtual Bible study group that utilized AI-powered translation to accommodate members from diverse language backgrounds. “It wasn’t the same as meeting in person,” she admits, “but we found new ways to pray, learn, and support each other.”
Some congregations are hosting workshops on digital literacy and ethics. At a recent seminar in Port Harcourt, church members learned how to protect their data, recognize deepfakes, and think critically about the information they consume. “We want to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves,” says Pastor Uche, quoting Jesus. “That means understanding the tools of our time—and using them for good.”
Rev. Funmi Adebayo, a pastor in Ogun State, faced a new pastoral challenge when a member confided that she had been using an AI chatbot for emotional support. “She said it was easier to talk to the bot than to her friends or family,” Rev. Adebayo recalls. “But she also felt more isolated.” The pastor responded by organizing small group discussions on loneliness and technology, helping members find a balance between digital tools and human connection.
In 2020, the Vatican released the “Rome Call for AI Ethics,” urging tech companies, governments, and religious communities to collaborate on the development of ethical AI. The document emphasizes transparency, inclusion, responsibility, impartiality, reliability, and security. Pope Francis has repeatedly called for “Algorethics”—a new ethic for algorithms that serves the common good.
These examples illustrate that faithful engagement with AI is not about rejecting technology, but about shaping it with wisdom, justice, and love.
What does it mean, then, to live faithfully in an age of artificial intelligence? Three themes emerge from these stories and conversations:
The first is discernment. Christians are called to test the spirits—to distinguish between what is good, true, and beautiful, and what is harmful or deceptive. This requires not only technical knowledge but also spiritual wisdom. It means asking: Does this technology help me love God and neighbour? Does it promote justice, dignity, and community? Or does it isolate, exploit, or distract?
Discernment is not a solitary task. It happens in community—in conversations, prayers, and shared struggles. As Dr. Okafor notes, “We need each other to see clearly. No one has all the answers.” Churches can create spaces for dialogue, learning, and mutual support, helping members navigate digital challenges together.
The second theme is compassion. Technology can be a tool for care or a weapon of exclusion. Christians are called to stand with those who are left out or harmed by technological change. This might involve advocating for digital inclusion, supporting workers displaced by automation, or challenging the unjust use of data.
Compassion also means recognizing our vulnerabilities. AI can tempt us to prioritize efficiency over empathy, or to outsource difficult conversations to machines. “We must remember that every person we encounter—online or offline—is a bearer of God’s image,” says Rev. Adeyemi.
Finally, Christians are called to hope. The future is uncertain, and the pace of change can be overwhelming. But Christian hope is not naïve optimism. It is rooted in the conviction that God is at work in the world, even in unexpected places. As St. Paul writes, “In all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28).
Hope empowers us to imagine new possibilities—to use technology creatively, to build bridges across divides, to seek justice and mercy in a digital age. It reminds us that while machines may shape our world, they do not define our worth or our destiny.
How can Christians and churches put these themes into practice? Here are some practical suggestions drawn from interviews and research:
Churches can offer workshops or study groups on digital literacy, helping members understand how AI works, what risks it poses, and how to use technology responsibly. Resources from organizations like the Centre for Humane Technology or the Vatican’s AI ethics initiatives can provide helpful frameworks.
Faith communities can advocate for policies that protect privacy, prevent discrimination, and ensure access to digital tools for all, particularly for those who are marginalized. Partnering with civil society groups and ethical tech organizations can amplify these efforts.
In an age of digital distraction, churches can model practices of presence—listening deeply, sharing stories, and building relationships that transcend screens. Small groups, pastoral care, and intergenerational activities can foster real community.
Christians working in tech fields need support and encouragement to integrate faith and work. Mentoring, prayer networks, and forums for ethical reflection can help tech professionals navigate complex dilemmas with integrity.
Worship can be a space to lament the harms of technology, celebrate its gifts, and seek God’s guidance for the digital age. Prayers for wisdom, justice, and creativity can shape the church’s imagination and witness.
Practicing Faith in a Digital Age
The era of artificial intelligence is here to stay. It brings both promise and peril, as well as opportunity and challenge. For Christians, the task is not to retreat in fear or rush ahead uncritically, but to walk the path of faithful engagement—to discern, to care, to hope.
As I reflect on the stories and insights shared in this article, I am reminded of a simple truth: technology may change, but the call of Christ remains the same. To love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. To love our neighbours as ourselves. To seek justice, mercy, and humility in every age.
May we, as individuals and communities, rise to this calling—not with anxiety, but with courage and grace. Let us shape the future of technology with the wisdom of our faith, the compassion of our hearts, and the hope that comes from God.
Omorogieva Sylvester Ihonwa is a writer and project manager based in Lagos, Nigeria. He is passionate about the intersection of faith, technology, and social impact.