Nils Gulbranson, a former computer science student, has created a Christian AI chatbot called Biblemate.io to provide biblical answers to difficult questions. Unlike ChatGPT, Biblemate.io is grounded in a biblical and theological view of the world. The chatbot relies on an extensive database of sermons, books, and academic articles to inform its answers.
Gulbranson sees potential uses for Biblemate.io in churches, for pastors doing sermon research, volunteers drafting Bible study guides, and curious youth wanting to delve deeper. Biblemate.io also appeals to non-Christians seeking answers about God. One of its notable features is the “explain to me like I’m 5” tool, which simplifies complex theological concepts down to the 5-year-old level.
Gulbranson aims to provide responses rooted in common biblical truth, citing sources from reputable scholars. However, he acknowledges that not every Christian agrees on what constitutes biblical truth. On social issues such as same-sex marriage, the chatbot subtly recommends approaching the question with love, compassion, and respect, while highlighting biblical passages that support heterosexual relationships. Yet, Gulbranson aims for Biblemate.io to provide politically neutral responses on divisive issues, emphasizing that Jesus did not align with any particular political ideology.
Biblemate.io has sought feedback from other Christians on social media, with Gulbranson actively seeking ways to improve the chatbot. Another engineer, Joe Suh, developed a chatbot called Pastors.ai that draws on churches’ sermon libraries to answer people’s questions. Suh designed the chatbot for personal use and to foster engagement with his faith.
While there are mixed reactions to these AI tools among church leaders and pastors, some expressing skepticism and concerns about distortion, others recognize the potential benefits. Pope Francis, in his monthly prayer intention, emphasized the need for AI to serve the common good while remaining subservient to human intelligence. The Southern Baptist Convention meeting urged pastors to utilize AI tools in honest, transparent, and Christlike ways. Gulbranson believes that with time, churches will better understand and establish guidelines for using AI tools in their ministries.
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