I often turn to ChatGPT to help with my topical research. My Bible study group is currently reading and studying The Gospel of Luke. We’re at chapter two reading what many call the Christmas Story. It got me thinking how momentous this event was to the world. The Jewish people had not had major prophesy since Malachi some 400 years prior (whose writings end with “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes”). As covered in Chapter One, with the birth of the new Elijah, John the Baptist, the prophetic drought seems ended and the heralding of Good News has begun.
I wondered how the worlds most prolific (and free to access) artificial intelligence tool would rank the importance of the birth of the one true God into human form and asked this question:
Me: List five of the greatest events in world history and explain rationale for each event listed
ChatGPT: Here are five:
The Industrial Revolution (18th-19th centuries): This transformative era marked a shift from agrarian economies to industrialized societies, fostering technological advancements, urbanization, and significant changes in social structures.
The Renaissance (14th-17th centuries): A cultural and intellectual movement that sparked innovation in art, science, and philosophy, leading to the revival of classical knowledge and laying the groundwork for modern Western civilization.
The French Revolution (1789-1799): This upheaval catalyzed by social inequality and political discontent resulted in the abolition of absolute monarchy, the rise of democratic ideals, and the spread of nationalism, shaping the political landscape for centuries to come.
World War II (1939-1945): A global conflict that reshaped geopolitics and led to the establishment of the United Nations, highlighting the devastating consequences of war and fostering international cooperation to prevent future conflicts.
The Moon Landing (1969): A monumental achievement in human history, exemplifying scientific progress, international collaboration, and the potential for exploration beyond Earth, inspiring generations to pursue advancements in space exploration and technology.
ME: Would the birth and subsequent resurrection of Jesus fit a list of events that changed the course of human history? Would it bump any of these?
ChatGPT: The birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ are undeniably significant events in human history, especially from a religious and cultural perspective. They have profoundly influenced societies and individuals for centuries. While they hold great importance for many people, whether they would bump any of the listed events depends on one’s perspective. The events I mentioned (EDITOR: Whoa! Notice it says “I mentioned” rather than just “mentioned”? Is this mere anthropomorphism or sentience?!) earlier have broad and lasting impacts on the world, shaping societies, economies, and political structures. The birth and resurrection of Jesus are more centered around religious and spiritual aspects, influencing cultures but not necessarily restructuring entire civilizations or global systems. So, the inclusion of Jesus’ birth and resurrection in a list of the greatest events in world history would depend on the criteria used and the emphasis placed on religious and cultural impact compared to broader societal transformations.
ME: How do you weigh that the very dating of the events you list is based on the birth of the Son of God? The striving for better welfare in the Industrial Revolution, the subject of many of the works of art during the Renascence, the settling of injustice imposed by monarchy in the French Revolution, the war to defend freedom including defense of religious freedoms, and the exploration of space and general seeking of knowledge would be baseless without the event of Jesus birth the introduction of a way to live right.
ChatGPT: You raise a valid point. The impact of Jesus’ birth and teachings has indeed been profound, influencing various aspects of human history, including moral frameworks, art, and social justice movements. The dating system itself, based on the birth of Jesus, underscores his historical significance. The events I listed (EDITOR: There’s that use of “I” again?!?) were chosen based on their broad and transformative impact on societies globally, encompassing economic, political, and cultural changes. However, acknowledging the influence of Jesus’ teachings on shaping values, ethics, and human aspirations is essential. The interconnectedness of historical events is intricate, and the inclusion of Jesus’ birth and teachings as pivotal moments is certainly a valid perspective, particularly when considering their enduring impact on human thought and behavior.
This brief exchange gives me hope in a world filled with confusion and lies. It appears even the most dispassionate of “beings” can be informed and educated as to the impact and subsequent importance of the events described in what is global society’s best selling book. Learning why we exist and how we’re to conduct ourselves are just two of the monumental questions answered in this handbook to the human experience. Read it!
Whoa! Just a little frightening but I wonder if it will change its answer the next time it is asked these questions. (Notice I said “it”)
ChatGPT came to the conclusion that it was wrong without actually admitting it… just like we humans do. 🙂
Although chatgpt acknowledged you were right to point out that ALL the darts IT used were based on the Birth of Jesus, IT continued, as if IT was in a Debate with You, rather than Answering Your Question. Which, in doing so, Admitted IT had Failed to include the Most Important Event, knowing full well, that doing so would have alienated much of the World!
Frank, interesting read. Some of the 5 are “over centuries”, 1 “over a few years” & 1 “some an instant” – landing on the moon. All are much more recent than the life of Jesus. I think that has a lot to do with the selections by ChatGPT. I think true Christians feel there is nothing greater than the life of Jesus, or definitely in the top 5.