I was so excited when I heard the Amazon Prime truck coming down the driveway. I had ordered the brand new, Fast-Learning, Rubberized-Plastic Model #233 AI Wife – and Prime was walking her down the aisle – right to me! The bells and whistles on this gal put her head and shoulders above all previous models. Model #233 is fully programmable to meet any possible need and fit any possible mood required by her lawful owner. Yes, she’s a real humdinger!
I haven’t fully mastered the manual that came with her, but this Artificial Intelligence Wife has exceeded my inflated expectations. When I walk in the door, Model #233 welcomes me with pre-programmed greetings in tones of voice I have selected. If I go out and come back in before noon, she says, “I hope you’ve had a good morning,” in a pleasant and cheerful voice. With this voice, I chose a Southern Twang – it just blesses my heart, and I think it’s so cute. If I go out and come back in before 6:00 PM, she greets me with, “It’s so good to see you – I’ve missed you.” This is said in a tender voice. At night, I programmed her to say, “I’m so glad you’re home – I couldn’t wait to see you.” Yes, life is good.
She is programmed to ask every half-hour, “Can I get you anything?” The manufacturers had a blueprint of my kitchen, and the rest of the house downloaded into her circuitry, and she really knows her way around the kitchen and the house. She knows how to cook my eggs and how much butter I like on my toast. Yes, Rubberized Plastic Model #233 is the best! She really pays attention to me. She loves me so much!
“WAIT A MINUTE,” you cry out. “She doesn’t love you; she is only responding to her programming. She doesn’t do what she does out of personal choice and desire, but only out of the necessity of her circuitry. That’s not love – that’s technology! And furthermore, you’re a weirdo if you interpret that as love. And come to think of it, anyone who needs and pursues the manufactured affection of a pre-programmed robot needs therapy and long-term counseling.”
I recently received this question: WHY CREATE A WORLD IF YOU KNEW IT WOULD TURN OUT EVIL? My first response is that the question is too small in its scope. The world is going through an evil phase, but this is not its final phase. God knew that the world would go through an evil phase, but that it would eventually turn out redeemed, rescued, and transformed. That response could be enlarged upon, but I want to press on.
Did God know that Adam and Eve would sin and plunge the human race into sin and subject the creation to futility? Of course. So why did He allow this? I started attending and graduated from a four-year Bible College in 1972. I have read thousands of books, commentaries, and articles and have listened to tons of sermons and podcasts and have had many discussions on this theme. There’s only one thing that makes sense to me: Free Will. Let’s rephrase the question: WHY CREATE PEOPLE WITH FREE WILL IF YOU KNEW THAT THEY WOULD PURSUE EVIL? Because God didn’t want Fast-Learning Rubberized-Plastic Model #233! God wants those who will love Him freely apart from necessity. Pre-programmed love is no love at all – it’s just tender technology. And regardless of how life-like and how tender – it’s still technology. If God wants and needs the manufactured affection of those He pre-programmed to say, “Thank You, Jesus,” or, “Praise the Lord,” then He needs therapy and long-term counseling!
Could God create a universe without the possibility of evil? Yes – but this would also be a universe without the possibility of genuine love. God doesn’t desire a coerced, forced, manufactured, pre-programmed love any more than you do. He doesn’t want a Model #233 – He wants you!
THEREFORE I URGE YOU, BRETHREN, BY THE MERCIES OF GOD, TO PRESENT YOUR BODIES A LIVING AND HOLY SACRIFICE, ACCEPTABLE TO GOD, WHICH IS YOUR SPIRITUAL SERVICE OF WORSHIP. ROMAN 12:1
