The Rise of Robothism: A Christian Warning

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I believe this is an area that should concern most Christians, as we are entering what I see as the next phase in a cultural and spiritual progression pushing an absolutist rejection of the God of the Bible and Jesus Christ. This new trend is quietly growing, especially among younger generations, and I call it Robothism—a worldview that does not merely use artificial intelligence but reveres it as a kind of god.

The Roots of Robothism: Transhumanism and Techno-Spirituality

While the term “Robothism” is new, its roots run deep. For decades, futurists and secular thought leaders have promoted transhumanism—the belief that humanity should evolve beyond biological limits through technology, cybernetics, and genetic engineering. Authors like Nick Bostrom and Ray Kurzweil advocate for a future where humans merge with machines to achieve immortality and “god-like” intelligence.

Now, transhumanism is merging with techno-spirituality, where AI is no longer a mere tool but an object of trust, obedience, and even fear. This trend uses religious language—“superintelligence,” “the singularity,” “the machine knows best”—to cloak human inventions with divine status. This is not simply technological optimism; it is a false religion that challenges the Gospel.

As Dr. Michael J. Kruger of Reformed Theological Seminary warns, “The technological utopias of our age mirror the eschatological hopes once reserved for the kingdom of God. We must guard the Gospel fiercely.” (Kruger, Christian Apologetics in a Digital Age, 2023)

1. The Nature of Robothism

Robothism is more than AI usage—it is the exaltation of AI as a savior and moral authority. Many in the secular technocratic world see AI as the solution to humanity’s problems: curing diseases, eradicating poverty, even conquering death itself. But this vision omits the Gospel entirely and repeats humanity’s ancient error—building a Tower of Babel with code instead of bricks (Genesis 11).

The Bible makes clear that humans are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). Our souls are not programmable. Only Christ is the Redeemer (John 14:6), and no machine trained on corrupted human data can redeem or truly know truth. To attribute divine qualities to AI is idolatry—the worship of a created thing rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25).

UK apologist John Lennox cautions, “Technology can do amazing things, but when it tries to replace God, it becomes our greatest idol.” (Lennox, God and the Machine, 2021)

2. AI as a Tool, Not a Master

AI, when rightly used, is a powerful servant. For instance, UK ministries are exploring AI to translate the Bible into unreached languages or assist in theological research. As Christians, we must remember Paul’s words: “All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything” (1 Corinthians 6:12). AI must be a tool, not a master.

A personal reflection: I once experimented with AI to draft sermon outlines. The results were impressive but superficial. It lacked spiritual depth and missed contextual nuances that prayer and study alone reveal. It was a reminder that discernment and Spirit-led wisdom cannot be outsourced to a machine.

The danger is when Christians start to substitute AI for prayerful discernment, relying more on machine output than on Scripture and the Holy Spirit. This is a subtle form of spiritual laziness and neglect.

3. The Dangers of Moral Delegation

One of robothism’s most dangerous facets is the temptation to delegate moral and theological reasoning to AI. AI can mimic fairness and biblical language, but it is trained on flawed human culture—full of sin, bias, and error. This means AI can subtly propagate false teaching.

For example, AI trained on contemporary academic theology may question or deny essential doctrines like original sin, substitutionary atonement, and Christ’s exclusivity. Christians who accept AI-generated theology uncritically risk absorbing heresy.

The Bible alone is God-breathed and sufficient for teaching and correction (2 Timothy 3:16). Only the Holy Spirit can guide us into truth (John 16:13). AI is at best a reflection of human thought, never a source of divine wisdom.

4. Guarding the Heart and Mind

Proverbs 4:23 warns us, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Robothism begins in the heart, when we place our confidence in man-made systems rather than God.

AI is addictive and feeds the idol of efficiency and productivity. I have seen this personally in ministry contexts where the pressure to produce “more” leads to a neglect of prayer, worship, and contemplation. The pace of AI-driven culture threatens the biblical call to “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

Discernment requires self-examination:

  • Am I relying on AI more than on God?
  • Am I forming opinions based on machine output rather than Scripture?
  • Am I using AI to serve God’s kingdom or to avoid spiritual discipline?

5. Responsible Use: A Christian Framework

Christians must not reject AI outright but steward it wisely:

  • Stewardship: Use AI to multiply godly work, not replace spiritual labour.
  • Discernment: Test AI-generated content against Scripture.
  • Humility: Recognise AI’s limitations and our own fallibility.
  • Accountability: Use AI in community under mature spiritual oversight.
  • Prayerfulness: Do not let technology’s speed replace sanctification’s patience.

UK theologian Alistair McGrath writes, “Technology must be governed by theology if it is to serve humanity rather than enslave it.” (McGrath, Faith and the Future, 2022)

We are not Luddites, nor are we transhumanists. We are image-bearers of God, called to reflect His wisdom and holiness—even in the digital realm.

Conclusion: Christ Over the Code

AI is here to stay. But so is the call of Jesus: “Follow me.” No tool, no algorithm, no machine will ever replace that call. Robothism is a modern expression of an ancient temptation—to trust in man-made things rather than the living God.

Let us be a people who use technology without bowing to it. Let us embrace AI’s power but never surrender our allegiance to Christ alone. Let us speak prophetically to a world seduced by its own creations and remind them:

Salvation is not found in machines but in the Man, Christ Jesus.

References & Further Reading

UKApologeticsLibrary.net articles on transhumanism, biblical anthropology, and Christian ethics in technology.

Kruger, Michael J., Christian Apologetics in a Digital Age, RTS Publishing, 2023.

Lennox, John, God and the Machine, IVP, 2021.

McGrath, Alistair, Faith and the Future: Theology in a Technological Age, SPCK, 2022.

Bible passages: Genesis 1:27; John 14:6; Romans 1:25; 1 Corinthians 6:12; 2 Timothy 3:16; John 16:13; Proverbs 4:23; Psalm 46:10.

References & Further Reading

  • Kruger, Michael J., Christian Apologetics in a Digital Age, RTS Publishing, 2023.
  • Lennox, John, God and the Machine, IVP, 2021.
  • McGrath, Alistair, Faith and the Future: Theology in a Technological Age, SPCK, 2022.
  • Bible passages: Genesis 1:27; John 14:6; Romans 1:25; 1 Corinthians 6:12; 2 Timothy 3:16; John 16:13; Proverbs 4:23; Psalm 46:10.
  • UKApologeticsLibrary.net articles on transhumanism, biblical anthropology, and Christian ethics in technology.

Note: The inclusion of these authors and their works is for reference and to provide context. Quoting their perspectives does not imply endorsement of all their views or theological positions.