Mic Drop? The Message of the Church in a World of AI.

Mic Drop? The Message of the Church in a World of AI.

I am fascinated by the advancement of AI technology. One of the most impressive breakthroughs on the horizon in the field of artificial intelligence is in the area of translation tools. Imagine having the ability to instantly understand any language! Translation tools are evolving so quickly that some companies are already developing earbuds that can take what you say in English and translate it into another language in real time—and vice versa.

Imagine sitting in a meeting with people from all over the world. One person speaks this language, another person says that language. But everyone hears and understands the conversation in their language.

Or think about two strangers meeting. People who would typically have smiled awkwardly at one another and walked away. But now they can sit in a coffee shop and talk, laugh, connect, and even fall in love, even if they don’t know a single word of each other’s language.

The tech world predicts that we are only a few short months away from permanently breaking the language barrier. And that raises an interesting question.

Are We Rebuilding Babel?

Perhaps you’ve heard of the Tower of Babel. It’s a historical event described in Genesis 11:1–9, which recounts a time when everyone in the world spoke the same language. Speaking the same language created incredible unity, but the people were not unified in worship or obedience to God—they were unified in their ambition to become like gods themselves.

Although God had instructed the people to spread out and populate the land, they decided instead to build a massive tower that reached into the heavens and “make a name” for themselves.

Scripture teaches us that God judged their rebellion by intervening and confusing their language, causing the people to lose the ability to understand one another. The common language of the people had allowed a dangerous kind of pride to grow: human unity without divine submission.

So when I think about the advancements in translation technology, I can’t help but wonder: Is artificial intelligence helping us recreate the world of Babel—only this time with Wi-Fi and a pair of earbuds?

AI is simply a tool. And like every other tool that man has ever created, the tool is never the problem—the human heart is the issue. The tools of man amplify what is already in the hearts of men. And that's the most sobering thing about artificial intelligence: it does not mend our hearts, it amplifies what’s already in them.

When Unity Isn’t the Answer

Reflecting on AI technology prompted another interesting observation. We often hear in our modern world about the importance of achieving unity. If we could just be united, we’re told, all of our political, social, and even global problems would be solved.

But history tells us something different.

The story of the Tower of Babel proves that unity alone is not the solution. In fact, it can actually become a very real problem—if the hearts of those united are united in rebellion against God.

The people of Babel weren’t fighting with each other. They were working together toward a dangerous goal: to make a name for themselves. And when that’s the motive, unity becomes dangerous.

Let me make a bold statement. It may sound culturally radical, but it is biblically sound: Man cannot rebel against God and live in peace with one another at the same time. These two realities are contradictory. Unity, in and of itself, is not necessarily the answer.

Another Language Miracle

Being able to cross language barriers instantly brought to mind another language miracle. This Sunday, many churches around the world will celebrate Pentecost Sunday, often referred to as the birthday of the Church. It marks the day in Acts 2 when God established the Church and bridged language barriers in a way that would make AI envious.

But this time, instead of confusing the languages like He did at Babel, He transcended them.

When the Holy Spirit descended with the sound of a rushing wind and tongues of fire, the followers of Jesus began speaking in languages they had never learned. These early believers declared the gospel of Jesus Christ to people from every nation and language who were gathered in Jerusalem for the festival of Pentecost.

The people listening were amazed:

“We hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God!” (Acts 2:11, NASB)

But the real miracle at Pentecost wasn’t the language, it was the message.

God used this moment to demonstrate the Church's mission in a very tangible way: to declare that Jesus Christ is the solution to the sin problem in the human heart. And God accomplished this, not by erasing diversity, but by honoring it.

Consider that John’s vision of heaven supports the fact that God is not interested in eliminating racial or linguistic diversity.

“…a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all the tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb…” (Revelation 7:9, NASB)

The final picture of the Church is one of true unity in the midst of glorious diversity, with the Lamb of God at its center.

And I believe it remains true that the mission of the Church, and the message of the Church, has not changed in our modern age. Our message still transcends every cultural and linguistic barrier.

The answer to the problems of our world is not to reinvent the ancient tower of unity alone, so to speak. Instead, the Church must continue to declare the truth that brings nations to their knees in worship of Jesus Christ.

The Church Still Has the Mic

As a leader in the Christian community, I am very aware that the modern Church is wrestling with the question: In a world rapidly advancing in technology, is the Church still relevant?

The example of real-time language translation is an illustration of the answer to that question.

Yes, the Church is still relevant.

The Church still has the mic.

On the day of Pentecost, God gave the Church a figurative microphone in the form of a mission:

“You shall be My witnesses… to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

And that assignment has not changed.

In a rapidly changing world, the Church's message remains timeless and just as global, far-reaching, and effective as ever. The Church will never be replaced by AI or any other human-made tool.

AI can translate words, but it cannot transform hearts.
AI can mimic voice patterns, but it cannot replace the voice of the Holy Spirit.
AI can cross borders, but it cannot stamp the cross on the human heart.

God has called and equipped the Church of Jesus Christ to fulfill His mission. And we cannot drop the mic—not now, not ever.

Our message is the same: Jesus Christ crucified, risen from the dead, and returning soon.

Preach on, Church.
Don’t drop the mic.