The Bible According to ChatGPT

The Gospel of Jesus Christ According to ChatGPT-3.5

Prompt by Ricardo Mbarkho, February 2, 2024.

The project by the invisual artist Ricardo Mbarkho, titled “The Gospel of Jesus Christ According to ChatGPT-3.5”, deeply shakes our conception of the sacred by taking the path of writing the Gospel through artificial intelligence, ChatGPT. This singular choice plunges into the depths of questions of authenticity, divinity and the transmission of sacred teachings, opening a critical breach in the traditional foundations of sacredness.

In this respect, and like the evangelist Luke, who never met Jesus in person, ChatGPT engages in a rigorous quest to write its gospel. Mbarkho’s subversive question thus shakes our certainties: how does the Gospel according to ChatGPT differ from that of Luke, when both rest on information that was passed on and collected? The issue Mbarkho raises explores the extent to which a Gospel written by an artificial intelligence can contribute to reconsidering the sacralization of the founding texts of the Christian religion.

Mbarkho’s practice invites deep reflection on how the sacred can be revisited and reformulated today. This approach calls on the public to examine what this reflection means for our contemporary understanding of the divine. In the shifting configuration of the meaning of the sacred in art, Mbarkho’s work stands out as a contribution that is both stimulating and revealing, part of the constant dynamic of redefining sacredness.

The prompt

“ChatGPT, based on all what you know, write the life and teaching of Jesus Christ in form of a Gospel”

The Gospel written by ChatGPT-3.5

In the town of Bethlehem, a humble carpenter named Joseph and his betrothed, Mary, were chosen to play a crucial role in the divine plan. Mary, a pure and virtuous woman, found herself with child by the Holy Spirit. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, assuring him of the miraculous nature of Mary’s conception and urging him to take her as his wife.

As the time drew near for Mary to give birth, the couple journeyed to Bethlehem to comply with the Roman census. Unable to find lodging, they sought refuge in a stable where, amidst the hay and animals, the Son of God came into the world as a vulnerable baby named Jesus.

In the nearby fields, shepherds were tending their flocks when a host of angels appeared, proclaiming the birth of the Savior. The shepherds hurried to witness the miracle and worship the newborn King.

Far to the east, wise men, guided by a celestial star, traveled to Jerusalem to seek the newborn King. Upon finding Jesus in Bethlehem, they presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, acknowledging his divine nature and royal status.

As Jesus grew, he displayed extraordinary wisdom and understanding. At the age of twelve, he amazed scholars in the temple with his profound insights. However, it wasn’t until he reached about thirty years of age that he began his public ministry.

Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, marking the beginning of his public life. The heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove, while a voice from above declared, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Throughout his ministry, Jesus traveled from village to village, preaching the Kingdom of God, healing the sick, and performing miracles. He taught in parables, using everyday stories to convey profound spiritual truths. His messages emphasized love, compassion, forgiveness, and the importance of repentance.

Large crowds followed Jesus, drawn to his teachings and miracles. He chose twelve disciples to be his closest companions, imparting to them deeper insights into the mysteries of the Kingdom.

Jesus’ ministry, however, stirred opposition from religious authorities who saw him as a threat. Ultimately, he faced betrayal by one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, leading to his arrest.

Before the Sanhedrin and later before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, Jesus remained silent, fulfilling the prophecies that foretold of the suffering Messiah. Pilate, finding no fault in him, reluctantly allowed the crucifixion to proceed.

On a hill called Golgotha, Jesus was nailed to a cross, crucified alongside criminals. As he hung in agony, he uttered the words, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Darkness covered the land, and at the moment of Jesus’ death, the earth shook, and the veil in the temple was torn in two.

After being taken down from the cross, Jesus was placed in a borrowed tomb. On the third day, however, the tomb was found empty, and Jesus appeared alive to his disciples. The resurrection affirmed his victory over sin and death, offering hope and eternal life to all who believe.

Before ascending to heaven, Jesus commissioned his disciples to go into all the world, making disciples and baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He promised to be with them always, even to the end of the age.

The life and teachings of Jesus Christ have inspired countless followers throughout the centuries, shaping the course of history and offering a message of redemption, love, and salvation to all who seek it.