“In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.” Job 12:10 ESV
Algorithms are based on math—that much I remember from college. In fact, that’s all I remember. Your basic algorithm is a recipe: a step-by-step set of rules for solving a problem like quadratic equations. My math nerd hubby still remembers all of them. Me? That’s algebra, right?
Almost all areas of our modern lives are ruled by algorithms. Predictive algorithms help those who try to prognosticate future behavior – like stock brokers, marketers, bankers, and actuaries. Then there’s advertising, insurance, internet searches, healthcare, politics, government, and of course, the three eight-hundred-pound gorilla algorithms called Amazon, Google, and Meta.
It feels demoralizing and dehumanizing to be ruled by impersonal algorithms. We forget, though, the omniscient God who knows all and created the universe is the greatest mathematician ever. He controls the algorithms our world is physically and metaphysically based on.
He gave us a set of rules for avoiding sin called the Ten Commandments. Jesus, the Son of God who came to earth and was born as one of us, elaborated on those. Just thinking about robbery IS robbery, not the actual act of stealing. Our chaotic, dangerous world right now would benefit from remembering Jesus’s Golden Rule.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12 NIV
Not much of that going around right now.
It’s also said, “he who controls the algorithm controls the world.” Artificial intelligence is built on algorithms that have been shown to contain biases. Our God though, is not biased. Two things are true—God doesn’t lie, and He is no respecter of persons.
His unbiased algorithm will be applied equally to us all.
He knows ahead of time which choices we will make. That alone is reassuring – because we have the promise of whether we choose to turn right or left, He will be there behind us. As long as the choice isn’t to sin, God is fine with it.
He doesn’t mind if you paint your kitchen taupe white or cream beige.
All the promises made by man’s algorithms and A.I. are false. They aren’t truth, nor are they unbiased. They’re mere tools, like a hammer and nails. Tools can be used for good—to build a house, or bad—to attack someone.
Live your life by faith in the genuine Creator of the universal algorithm, and you need not fear man’s algorithms nor the artificial intelligence based on them.
For God does not show favoritism. Romans 2:11 NIV
This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).