Image Bearers, Subcreators, and AI: Using Technological Tools to the Glory of God

In our age of rapid innovation and digital convenience, fantasy fiction writers face a unique opportunity—and a corresponding challenge. Artificial Intelligence (AI) can assist in countless ways, such as generating character prompts, brainstorming worldbuilding ideas, or even suggesting plot twists. But as Christians, especially those shaped by a confessional Reformed understanding of God’s sovereignty and our cultural mandate, we must approach these tools with sober discernment, ethical mindfulness, and a desire to glorify God.

Rooted in Our Calling as Image Bearers

We begin where our Reformed faith directs us: acknowledging the Creator-Creature distinction and our role as image bearers. The Lord God created human beings with a mandate to cultivate, steward, and creatively reflect His glory in the world (Genesis 1:27–28). This cultural mandate extends to all realms of human endeavor, including the arts and literature. As fantasy writers, we participate in a grand tradition of “subcreation,” to borrow J.R.R. Tolkien’s term. We weave worlds of our own imagining, echoing the creative brilliance of our Maker.

In this, we must remember that the God who gave us minds and hearts capable of breathing life into fictional realms also provided the tools of technology and innovation. AI is no accident of history, but part of the unfolding providence of God in our cultural development. Like the printing press, the typewriter, and the word processor before it, AI can be a gift that aids our calling. Yet gifts must be employed responsibly, used as instruments of service rather than idols or shortcuts that undermine our integrity.

The Ethical Implications of Using AI

For the Reformed Christian, ethics are never divorced from theology. We understand that sin has touched every aspect of life, including our technologies. Thus, we must be on guard against using AI in ways that harm others, diminish our own spiritual formation, or rob God of His glory.

1. Honesty and Originality: As writers, we are called to truthfulness. While fantasy often involves imaginative fiction rather than factual reporting, there remains a moral imperative to avoid deception. Relying too heavily on AI-generated text or presenting its output as entirely our own work without refinement, thought, or honesty undermines both the craft and the trust we cultivate with readers. We should see AI as a spark or scaffold rather than a ghostwriter, ensuring that our personal voice, theological convictions, and moral compass guide the final narrative.

2. Stewardship Over Technology: As stewards, we recognize that all good gifts come from God (James 1:17). Stewardship includes responsible use. AI can help us build intricate worlds, generate naming conventions, or craft interesting mythologies. But we must not become enslaved to its suggestions. We should handle AI outputs as raw materials—ideas to be tested, refined, or discarded in the service of a story that aligns with our values.

3. Guarding Against Exploitation: We must also consider the sources of the data and content that AI uses. When trained on ethically questionable material (such as plagiarized content, hateful speech, or uncredited art), using AI blindly might perpetuate wrongdoing. In a digital landscape where intellectual property can be easily misappropriated, Christian writers are called to uphold principles of justice and honesty. This may mean using AI tools that credit sources, pay royalties where appropriate, or filter out unethical content. Our Reformed heritage, with its emphasis on justice, compels us to care about such matters deeply.

Using AI to Reflect God’s Character

The end goal of our writing, indeed of our entire cultural engagement, is the glory of God. We do this by reflecting His character—His holiness, wisdom, justice, and love—through the stories we tell. As Reformed believers, we know God is sovereign over every detail, and we can rest in His Providence even when the technological landscape feels overwhelming.

1. Creativity as Worship: By using AI to assist our creative process without supplanting our God-given imagination, we honor the One who made us in His image. This means always shaping narratives that echo truth, beauty, and goodness—even in fantastical worlds where dragons might roam and kingdoms rise and fall. Let the stories serve as windows into a moral universe reflective of God’s glory, rather than hollow escapism.

2. Humility and Dependence: Employing AI well requires humility. We must acknowledge that technology is but a tool. Our writing, our storytelling gifts, and even our finished manuscripts ultimately depend on God’s blessing. Using AI ethically means recognizing its limits and reaffirming our dependence on divine wisdom, rather than trusting in human ingenuity alone.

3. Fellowship and Accountability: As writers within the body of Christ, we can hold one another accountable. We can discuss the boundaries of AI usage, share best practices, and pray for one another. In community, we can discern how to maintain integrity and faithfulness in our craft.

Conclusion: Walking Forward in Faith

In our rapidly changing world, fantasy writers have new and perplexing questions to answer. But as confessional Reformed Christians, we have a solid theological foundation: God is the Creator, we are His creatures and image bearers, and He calls us to faithful stewardship. AI, like every tool, can be used to uphold truth, encourage beauty, and serve as a means to glorify our Lord—or it can be misused, leading to ethical shortcuts and compromised integrity.

The path forward, then, is one of careful discernment. We must approach AI prayerfully, seeking the Lord’s guidance, and continually returning to the Scriptures that remind us of who we are and whose we are. As fantasy writers, let us take up our pens (and our keyboards) in faith, using every resource available—including AI—to reflect the Light of the world, honoring the Author of all truth and beauty.