ArcaMax

I came across an engaging and thought-provoking article written by Dr. Robin Schumacher for The Christian Post this month. Schumacher, who has a PhD in New Testament studies, provides his reflections on a discussion atheist YouTuber Alex O'Connor recently had with a ChatGPT bot on the longstanding philosophical debate of God's existence. Schumacher explains to readers that O'Connor is an agnostic atheist, stating that those who adhere to this intellectual perspective "default to atheism because they don't acknowledge any supernatural deity and claim the existence of one is either unknowable in principle or currently unknown in fact." Schumacher then outlines the basis of the primary argument that O'Connor puts forth to the AI bot, which is contingency, a mode of logic that argues the universe is composed of things that are necessary and needful. Many people agree, as Schumacher points out, that a "causal power" is needed to sustain the chain that links contingent and necessary events. Many believe this power is God, although the Bible does not characterize God as "causal" but as omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent.

As I read Schumacher's account and viewed some of the back-and-forth ChatGPT conversation O'Connor had on YouTube, one of my first thoughts was that I had never considered interacting with AI in this manner. I have been exploring ChatGPT features as tools to help with research and bolster information literacy in my English composition classes, and, as a professor, I am thinking of ways to motivate my students to use it responsibly and not cheat on assignments. Reading the bot's responses in conversing with O'Connor shows how the aptitude of AI continues to evolve. However, what drew me to Schumacher's article was the basic reasoning the bot uses to contend for God's existence, and I considered how I would respond to an atheist like O'Connor as a believer. Toward the end of its dialogue with O'Connor, the bot states, "Based on the logical reasoning and factual premises we've discussed, the conclusion we've reached is that a necessary being which people commonly refer to as God exists." Factual premises are the building blocks of arguments for skeptics like O'Connor, who graduated with a degree in philosophy and theology from St John's College at the University of Oxford. Yet facts are not entirely set aside when it comes to faith. Scripture points to nature as factual evidence that God created the world, as Psalm 19:1 states, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament (expanse of heaven) sheweth his handywork." Romans 1:20 affirms that the "invisible things" of God from "the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse." Observing the wonderful works of nature is sufficient for many to believe God exists, but honestly, simply believing isn't enough if you desire strong faith. Strong faith comes through communion, worship and intimacy with God through Christ and the Holy Spirit. Interaction with people was a joyous part of Christ's ministry while He was on earth, as He ate and fellowshipped with His disciples and even strangers that He met from the multitudes who followed Him. Christ offers this same invitation to fellowship in Revelation 3:20, when He says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." The Greek translation of "sup" in this verse means to "dine" just as you would during an evening meal with friends, and dining for believers is through meditation on God's Word. Thus, God doesn't just desire for you to believe in Him. He longs for a deep relationship.

One of the main reasons that skeptics wrestle with God's existence is that they are locked into a natural realm of logic and reasoning. Logic works great when we are having philosophical discussions on rationalism, say, in an academic context, but faith in God ushers one into the supernatural. God does not disregard facts and logic, but they are not predominant in the supernatural realm, because if they were, we would never receive miracles, such as a person being made whole from a stage 4 cancer diagnosis.

Many of O'Connor's YouTube subscribers tuned in to watch his AI chat on God. A lot of his followers are likely young, given that he's only 26. I hope and pray that with O'Connor's thirst and zeal for knowledge, he will find it in his heart to give God a chance and be open to the assurance faith brings.

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Dr. Jessica A. Johnson is a lecturer in the English department at Ohio State University's Lima campus. Email her at smojc.jj@gmail.com. Follow her on X: @JjSmojc. To find out more about Jessica Johnson and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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