The rise of AI and robotics presents a defining opportunity — and crisis —f or this generation. As machines rapidly and exponentially replace human labour, we are witnessing a massive displacement of traditional work structures. This disruption is not hypothetical; it is happening now.
In response, humanity is being forced to ask fundamental questions:
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“What is my purpose? Why do I exist if I am no longer needed to work (as I am now)?”
Perhaps, for the first time in modern history, we are approaching a moment where “earning a living” is decoupled from meaning and identity.
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The Apostle Paul declared, “I am what I am” — not “I am what I do.” Hallelujah. The Church will need to return to the wisdom of spiritual masters like Brother Lawrence and Meister Eckhart, who saw the folly of basing human worth on human effort.
The Protestant Reformation, turbocharged by Enlightenment materialism, swung the pendulum too far. In elevating the dignity of work, we lost the sacred tension between doing and being. The “Protestant work ethic” is now formally under review.
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If robots can now sow, reap, mill, and bake, what then becomes of the farmer or the baker? What becomes of us?
“It is not necessary to have important things to do. I turn my little omelette in the pan for the love of God.” — – Brother Lawrence
Work is sacred — only when it is separated unto the Lord, for the love of God. To work for the sake of work is a seductive and tragic delusion, especially for the soul that has not gazed upon the beauty of Jesus. Such work is “Meaningless, meaningless!” as Solomon said.
True work flows from being — from abiding in Christ. It is the act of shaping the visible world through the unseen eternal reality. But machines will soon shape matter more efficiently than we ever could. So what is left for us?
AI and robotics are compelling us into an existential redefinition of meaningful work. And in doing so, they may be God’s instruments to drive us back to Him.
The glorious Gospel of Jesus, faithfully upheld by the Church, must now shine brighter than ever. It offers not only salvation, but the very meaning of existence — both within and beyond the constructs of traditional work.
Athanasius, paraphased by the Puritan Board: “Good is being, as it comes from the eternal God, and evil is non-being. Therefore, when we sinned and turned to evil, we lost eternal being.”
AI and robotics shine a harsh but necessary light on the fragility of work-based identity. Millions of jobs will vanish. But perhaps, in this disruption, we are being drawn to recover something deeper.
We can thank God for this shaking. Being is back.
In the decades to come, if we are to preach the Gospel faithfully, we must centre our apologetics on the reality that human value is rooted not in productivity, but in being made in the image of God. In a world where traditional purpose fades, the call to abide in Christ will become more urgent — and more radiant— than ever.
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