GENDER IDENTITY

 

Although no one changed the calendar, the one in my office was becoming less legible. With time, it became obvious that I needed to get eyeglasses. The difference was obvious. The dates on the calendar were so much clearer. Actually, everything around me became clearer. Whereas the objects did not change, my perspective did.

The same is true about the issues we face daily. The lenses through which we assess things determine our perspective. For instance, when Christians and non-Christians view things differently, it is because the lenses are different. Christians are expected to view life through the lenses of the Bible.  In other words, one’s perspective is influenced by what the Bible says concerning an issue. That is what it means to have a biblical worldview.

A current case in point concerns gender identity. Whereas some will go to biologists for answers, the Bible provides a very clear position. The position is not deduced from an ambiguous text. It is unambiguous in a declarative text – “… male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). Culturally and sociologically, the terms male and female are referred to as the two sexes. Syntactically, the sexes enable us to distinguish two genders, masculine and feminine. Interestingly, the creative order of male and female has been observed universally in all forms of life.

Biologically, male and female possess different reproductive cells. The primary advantage of these cells is that it encourages the survival of the species. That is what is meant when the Lord instructed Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and increase in number…” (Genesis 1:28). In order to facilitate reproduction, male and female were structured differently.

Generally, female skeleton is made up of lighter bones with smooth surfaces. The special characteristic feature of the female skeleton is that it has a wider pelvis than that of males. Also, the female pelvis bones are more rounded, and the surrounded bones are designed to be more flexible to child delivery. Females have more rounded thoracic cages than males.

Males normally have massive skeletons, which are made up of denser and heavier bones. The muscle attachment areas of bones are much more robust and prominent than those of females. Male bones complete their development around the age of twenty-one. Until then, the bones continue to grow and develop so that males have larger and more pronounced corners. 

The differences between the sexes in body composition are well known. Males typically have proportionately more muscle mass, more bone mass, and a lower percentage of body fat than women. In addition, there are marked differences between men and women in the incidence and expression of many major diseases. The volume implies that there are important underlying differences in physiological function. For instance, about 80% of patients with osteoporosis are women. Also, only men have testicular cancer.

Therefore, it is not surprising to see the Bible stressing the physical strength of men and the accompanying responsibility to women as “…the weaker partner…” (1 Peter 3:7). I hasten to add that this is not a reference to moral stamina, strength of character or mental capacity of women. Rather, it is an affirmation of the physiological differences between male and female.

Throughout Scripture, there is a consistent distinguishing of the two sexes. The distinctions were never intended to imply superiority of one gender over the other. Rather, the distinctions allow for compatibility in diversity. At times the Bible records cases of masculine abuse of strength. However, those records should never be seen as instructions to be emulated. Behaviour to be emulated is often found in didactic texts. One such text is found in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians – “… each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband” (Ephesians 5:33).

When we observe the biblical position on gender identity, we observe God’s intention from creation. The deliberate distinction of the two sexes was not merely expressed as a good option. Furthermore, deliberate distinction is not open for debate. It is not an issue of Philosophy. We were physiologically and psychologically designed to be different. That difference was intended to facilitate reproduction, partnership and diversity. The Psalmist was correct when he said, “… we were fearfully and wonderfully made…” (Psalm 139:14).

 

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

 

From time to time I approach an intersection that is normally busy. Sometimes there is minimal traffic, and the lights change to accommodate my arrival at the intersection. For instance, if I am in a turn lane, the traffic lights change, allowing me to proceed. The electronic monitoring system registered my presence, and the absence of other traffic, and made an intelligent decision. That was a display of artificial intelligence. 

The same thing is true when I am using my computer or smartphone. I am about to write something, and the device completes it for me. The device attempts to correct my spelling and acts as though another brain is working with me. That was another display of artificial intelligence.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the capability of robots and computer systems to carry out operations that would typically require human intelligence. AI algorithms (set of instructions for solving a problem or accomplishing a task) allow machines to learn from data and make predictions or choices based on that data/information.

As a rapidly evolving technology, AI has the potential to transform various industries. One such AI technology that has gained attention in recent years is ChatGPT, a sophisticated natural language processing tool that can generate human-like responses to text-based conversations.

In his recent volume on AI Technology, my friend Dr Sheldon Campbell shows where “AI has revolutionized various industries with its advanced applications, making them more efficient and productive”. For instance, “… in the healthcare industry, AI is used for personalized medicine, clinical decision support, and disease diagnosis”.

Dr Campbell further argues, that “the introduction of AI technology presents both benefits and challenges.” Some of these challenges include job displacement, data privacy and the possibility of biased decision-making.

Elly Kroll (The ChatGPT Handbook…), agrees that AI (ChatGPT) is not perfect and can generate responses that are inappropriate or irrelevant. “This is because AI relies solely on the patterns and relationships it has learned from its training data and may not always accurately capture the nuances of human communication.”

AI systems can also make decisions that are prejudiced or discriminating. For this reason, Dr Campbell believes “it is important to consider the ethical and moral implications of AI and make sure that it is created and applied in a way that is sustainable and responsible”. But who will ensure the implementation of ethical guidelines for the use of AI?

As recent as January 2023, the Catholic Church hosted leaders of the Jewish and Islamic faiths. They were signatories to the Rome Call for AI Ethics. The Vatican City meeting included the Pope and executives from Microsoft and IBM. That meeting and other high level church discussions confirm that if not controlled, AI could be cause of serious moral challenges.

Academic papers can be easily compromised. Even sermon preparation can succumb to the trap of expedience. Dr Campbell cites the case of Todd Brewer, a New Testament scholar. He requested ChatGPT to write a Christmas sermon for him. He asked for a sermon based on Luke’s birth narrative, with quotations from Karl Barth, Martin Luther, Irenaeus of Lyon, and Barack Obama. Surprisingly, ChatGPT created a sermon that met his criteria.

Todd Brewer said that the sermon was better than several Christmas sermons he had heard over the years. He even added that AI seemed to understand what makes the birth of Jesus genuinely good news. This experiment shows how ChatGPT can be used in the religious context to generate thought-provoking content.

Others have attempted to use AI as a means to find answers to questions like – What is the meaning of life? and Does God exist? It is only a matter of time before other questions like how one becomes a Christian will surface. The answer will not be coming from the Bible, but from data bases created by a variety of religious sources. In other words, who needs the Bible when answers are available from more diverse sources?

Furthermore, who needs to spend twenty hours preparing for a twenty-minute sermon, when AI could do the research and provide a sermon in seconds? Although useful in many areas, AI can and will posit major challenges in the development of our faith. Maturing in our faith is a process, empowered by the Holy Spirit and not a diversity of data bases.

Artificial intelligence is already here and will continue to develop. However, AI can only produce reliable conclusions, based on reliable information available in data bases. For that reason, AI outcomes should not replace the reliability of the Scriptures or our understanding of trust in an infallible God.

 

THE END OF EASTER

 

Following an accurate recording of Jesus’ empty tomb, one is faced with the question of the whereabouts of the deceased. The New Testament accounts for forty days. During that period, Jesus physically appeared in Galilee and Jerusalem. He met many people. He ate and fished with them. However, Jesus was not present at the annual Jewish festival of Pentecost. Then, what could have accounted for His absence?

 

The New Testament records that Jesus left earth. Christians refer to this experience as the ascension of Jesus. Five times New Testament writers employ the Greek term analambano (to take up) of Jesus’ ascension. Each time the verb is in the passive voice, He “was taken up.” The passive voice represents the subject of the verb as being acted upon. Thus, in this instance, indicating that the taking up was empowered from above.

 

Like me, you are probably asking, can someone really believe in ascension in our scientific age? Could one really believe that Jesus was literally “taken-up” from earth? Assuming Jesus was not ascended as reported by Luke in Acts 1:9, we are left with a few difficult historical queries. 

 

In post-resurrection New Testament passages, Stephen, Paul and John claimed to have encountered Jesus. But none of them provided geographical locations where they met. At no point in sacred or secular history does any historian refer to Jesus in terms of His physical location. Someone must be able to account for His absence from the tomb and from anywhere on earth. The best account for his absence from earth is his ascension, as recorded in the book of Acts.

 

There is nothing in the Acts context to suggest that the literary genre is symbolic. This is historical narrative. Historical narrative describes people who actually lived and events that actually happened. The location of the ascension is “… in the vicinity of Bethany” (Luke 24:51). Bethany was a village on the Mount of Olives. Some of those who witnessed this event were referred to as “Men of Galilee” (Acts 1:11). Ten of those eleven men chose to die for what they saw and knew to be true.

 

Like His death and resurrection, the ascension of Jesus was predicted. A thousand years before His birth, David prophesied the ascension of the Messiah when he announced the Lord’s enthronement at the Father’s right hand (Psa.110:1).

 

In this Psalm, David says, “The LORD says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool’”. Jesus quotes this verse in a discussion with the Pharisees to prove that the Messiah is more than David’s son (Matt. 22:44). He is David’s Lord. Interestingly, no other psalm is so frequently quoted in the New Testament.

 

Like the Psalmist, Jesus predicted His own ascension. In announcing his death to his disciples, He promised to go and prepare a place. Such a mission necessitated leaving earth. It was shortly after making that promise, Jesus said, “it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Holy Spirit will not come to you...” (John 16:7). Luke contends, just after instructing the disciples to wait in Jerusalem, “Jesus was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight” (Acts 1:9).

 

This year, Ascension Day, one of the earliest Christian festivals, will be observed on Thursday, May 18. It is observed as a public holiday in many countries. The Day commemorates the climax of Jesus’ earthly ministry and the end of the Easter season.

 

The theological implications of the historic ascension of Jesus are massive. Questions like, where did Jesus go, or where is Jesus now, cannot be avoided. About six years after the Ascension, Jesus appeared to Saul (Acts 9:5). The voice Saul heard was clear and authoritative. Saul correctly responded, “Who are you, Lord?” Because Jesus’ identity was sufficiently distinct, Saul recalled the encounter before King Agrippa. He said to the Roman judge, “I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven”.

 

About fifty years after the Ascension, John, a former disciple of Jesus, records his contact with Jesus. From heaven, Jesus said to him, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever” (Revelation 1:17). Like Saul, John confirmed that Jesus is still alive, but not on earth. What then are the chances that this same Jesus will return? The angels who were present at the Ascension answered that question in this way: “… this same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).

 

The Easter story reminds us that Jesus accurately predicted his death, his resurrection and his ascension. With such a successful track record of accurate predictions, it would seem foolish to conclude that his return is unlikely.

 

It was because of his confidence in the return of Jesus, Paul said in his last letter to young Timothy, there is a reward “also, to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8). Among Christians, there are differences of opinion regarding the timing of Christ’s return. However, there is little doubt that he will return.