NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Apologist and Oxford mathematician John Lennox warned Christians that artificial intelligence could contribute to a generation becoming increasingly disconnected from Scripture and cautioned that technology meant to serve humanity can become a “very dangerous master.” In a conversation with fellow apologist Wes Huff at the 10th annual Sing! Conference, Lennox reflected on the rise of AI, the resulting decline of reading and how Christians can faithfully engage a culture searching for meaning.
Lennox said that while artificial intelligence has significant benefits, including applications in medicine and Bible translation, he is particularly concerned about the effect “large language models” are having on reading habits, particularly among young people.
“One of the negative effects of these large language models is the rapid decline in reading, particularly among young people,” Lennox said, adding that many young people today are asking why they should bother reading when AI can provide immediate answers. “If we neglect reading and encouraging children and young people to read, that will leave them in a state of spiritual starvation,” Lennox warned.
“If reading declines, reading Scripture will decline, and so Christians will not thrive.” Scripture is the Christian’s primary “offensive weapon” in defending the faith, Lennox said, stressing that if believers “don't read and prayerfully meditate on it, then of course we are going to render the Christian Church totally defenseless.” The discussion came as this year’s Sing! Conference, held Sept.
7-9 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, marked 500 years since William Tyndale’s English New Testament. The conference, led by hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty, centered on the theme “Symphony of Scripture.” Referencing Tyndale and other figures who risked their lives to make Scripture accessible, Lennox said it would be a “tragedy” if Christians now neglected the Bible due to AI.