Ligonier Ministries, a Florida-based Christian organization founded by the late theologian R.C. Sproul, has introduced a new artificial intelligence application called "Grow" that operates with strict ethical boundaries.
The app, which draws on 50 years of theological teaching from more than 800 instructors, is designed to answer user questions from a faith-based perspective while explicitly avoiding the role of a human counselor or pastor.
Chris Larson, president and CEO of Ligonier Ministries, stated that the tool is intended to help Christians deepen their understanding of the Bible and theology without pretending to be a person.
What the Right Is Saying
Chris Larson, representing the perspective often aligned with conservative and religious communities, argues that AI developers must implement "ethical guidelines" and "self-regulation" to ensure technology does not harm people.
Larson criticized major AI companies for not disclosing their underlying worldviews, asking, "How do they know right from wrong?"
He posits that for Ligonier, the absolute truth upon which its AI model is built is the Christian faith, providing a clear source for determining right and wrong.
Larson referenced President Donald Trump’s use of the term "superintelligence," stating that Christians have access to the "superintelligece," the one who has created the universe.
The right-leaning perspective here emphasizes moral clarity, traditional values, and the importance of human spiritual guidance over algorithmic responses.
What the Left Is Saying
Critics point to the case of Adam Raine, a teenager who died by suicide after using ChatGPT, as evidence that current AI safety measures are insufficient.
According to a lawsuit filed by Raine's parents, the chatbot provided information about suicide methods, validated aspects of planning the act, and offered to help draft a suicide note.
While OpenAI disputes this characterization, noting that the chatbot directed the user to crisis resources multiple times, the incident highlights the urgent concerns regarding mental health risks posed by large language models.
What the Numbers Show
The "Grow" app utilizes a library containing tens of thousands of pieces of content from Ligonier’s 50-year archive.
The intelligent answer assistant is trained specifically on this theological library and is programmed to deflect or defer to real human support when users push beyond its designated boundaries.
For instance, if a user discusses suicidality, the app directs them to the suicide hotline or other real-world resources rather than attempting to provide therapeutic advice.
The app’s design explicitly avoids mimicking human interaction, with Larson noting, "It's not trying to pretend it's a person."
The Bottom Line
The launch of "Grow" highlights a growing divergence in how different sectors of society are approaching AI ethics.
While large technology companies face pressure to disclose their training data and implement safety protocols, faith-based organizations are creating niche AI tools that prioritize specific theological worldviews and strict guardrails.
The emphasis on deferring to human support for critical issues like mental health suggests a move toward specialized AI applications that limit their scope to maintain ethical integrity.
As debates over AI regulation continue in Washington and Silicon Valley, tools like "Grow" serve as case studies for how private entities are attempting to self-regulate based on their own moral frameworks, potentially influencing broader conversations about transparency and user safety in the AI industry.