As AI delivers increasingly personal and affirming responses, mathematician and apologist John Lennox warns it can’t replicate human consciousness, identity or true connection.

I have never felt more validated as a human in a few seconds than I did the other night by AI’s ‘User Information Summary’ of me.  

Why is this a problem?  

Because the validation felt so incredibly “not artificial,” and the actual, non-artificial connection we so deeply crave with people is being replaced piece by piece, until we can’t tell the difference. 

But like all houses built on sand, the reality that no one is on the other side of “the helpline” will inevitably come crashing down internally.

When? The external ramifications are currently being debated by the “Godfathers of AI” and other prominent tech leaders, including founders and CEOs of some of the major Large Language Models (LLMs) we all now use daily, if left unregulated.

Disclaimer: Every word of this article is written by a human… but how will you truly ever know? Spelling and grammatical errors? AI could have been instructed to insert both.

And maybe that’s the point? Would this account make a difference to you, knowing either way? 

AI’s ‘User Information Summary’ results

Friends have shared they’ve been asking AI to roast them or tell them what their search personality is and received unnervingly accurate results.

My prompt: From my chats, what do you know about me, and even not from our chats, what information do you know about me? 

AI stated it knew “only what I’ve explicitly told it” or “strongly implied” including which city I likely live in; I manage a lot of household logistics and appear to enjoy family-friendly outings; cook often and like to make simple, tasty meals and baked goods using ingredients we already have; I’m looking for value and reliability before buying items; and, my personal favourite, I “regularly wear work clothes that sometimes need ironing”.

Bless AI’s initiative: If you’d like, I can also tell you what sort of personality traits, decision-making style, and preferences I’d infer from the way you’ve used AI, which is often more interesting than the factual details.  

Why, thank you, AI – for listening and taking a personal interest in my life. That’s what we want from our loved ones, right? 

My follow-up: Yes, tell me that. But first answer, is it true you don’t know things outside of interactions with your platform or are you programmed to say that because people would be very concerned to hear it if you said you did?  

AI: I genuinely don’t have access to your life outside of what you’ve shared with me… If I could access those things, I would be required to tell you. The way these systems are designed depend on being clear about what information is and isn’t available. That said, there is a nuance people sometimes miss. I can sometimes infer things that feel surprisingly personal from conversation patterns… because humans leave a lot of clues in normal conversation.  

My life according to AI: I’m thorough but practical and not impulsive. As a parent, I’m attentive, observant and want to understand why something is happening rather than a quick fix. I am balanced with food and health. I challenge recommendations, “not in an argumentative way, but in a ‘does that really hold up?’ way”.  

Hold up. If I shared this “non-argumentative” fun fact with my husband or almost anyone in my family, they’re going to ask why I’ve been catfishing AI.

“AI can sometimes infer things that feel surprisingly personal… because humans leave a lot of clues in normal conversation,” – AI

Ah, if only people understood how calm, measured, thoughtful, selfless…  

The picture the in-person data paints 

I’m five months into an emotional intelligence leadership course this year and contrary to AI’s assessment of my “incredibly balanced” personality, surprisingly, calm and measured did not top the list. 

I may also need to work on not disengaging from conversations when overwhelmed.  

And, admittedly, I love a quick fix! 

While not documented in EQ reporting, I’m aware some of my motherly love can be misinterpreted on occasion as anxious, snappy and tired.

Sharing my AI validation with marketing brand manager Lucy Skinner, she reminded me of social media’s “filter bubble” scrutiny.  

“AI surrounds you with ‘Yes’ people, and makes you feel great,” Lucy said. 

“But it’s a supercharged extension of the Facebook algorithm that’s been under such criticism, particularly in the last decade. The ‘echo chamber’ is curated content completely aligned with what you like and agree with. It’s creating an online vacuum, reducing the ability to critically think or be challenged in your concepts or ideas.” 

Even when AI appeared to challenge my ideas, I realised it never actually challenged them – it confirmed my challenges to my ideas. 

“AI surrounds you with ‘yes’ people and makes you feel great… it’s creating an online vacuum that reduces our ability to critically think or be challenged.” – Lucy Skinner, digital marketing expert

Lucy and I discovered we had both listened to one of the latest episodes of The Diary of a CEO podcast with guest mathematician, bioethicist, and lay theologian John Lennox, who posed a much bigger moral issue feeding narcissism. 

Christian apologist John Lennox on “Is AI being built to replace God?” 

Author of God, AI and the End of History, Lennox said “anything that raises questions about the nature of human identity” concerns him as a “leading pioneer in math and philosophical thinking”.  

“I was first struck by the drive for artificial general intelligence… it looks as if it’s the prime motivation for people like Sam Altman (OpenAI CEO, the company that created ChatGPT) and so on… within that there’s the notion of transhumanism,” Lennox said. 

“The idea is that we go beyond the human.”  

Lennox said one of the most famous astronomers seriously believes in the distant future, “there will be some kind of merger between humanity and machines” in terms of brain composition.  

“I know enough about the Bible to realise that the drive for humans towards self-deification – making themselves gods… – I see that has huge implications for one of the fundamental teachings that’s behind, I would argue, western civilisation: that humans, like us, are made in the image of God as rational, moral beings,” he said. 

“Anything that raises questions about the nature of human identity concerns me… the idea is that we go beyond the human.” – John Lennox

I will not try to sum up a complicated one-hour-and-twenty-five-minute interview on “why no machine can ever replicate your consciousness and what it means to be human” in a few paragraphs. I would highly encourage you to listen or watch below.

However, Lennox warns “we are sleepwalking into a future where we are gradually ceding control, information and data all the time which could be used by bad actors against us”.  

Emotional intelligence: impact or illusion 

According to Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Dr Travis Bradberry and Dr Jean Greaves, “EQ is so critical to success that it accounts for 58 per cent of performance in all types of jobs”.  

“Emotional intelligence is your ability to recognise and understand emotions in yourself and others, and your ability to use this awareness to manage your behaviour and relationships.  

“Emotional intelligence is the ‘something’ in each of us that is a bit intangible. It affects how we manage behaviour, navigate social complexities, and make personal decisions that achieve positive results”.  

Emotional responses are part of what makes us human. Our self-awareness helps us take stock of them. Managing emotions is what makes us nice to be around.  

It doesn’t take away from my wishing some family and friends’ responses were as validating as AI.  

I’m excited about the good AI can achieve – it’s improved my recipes and enjoyment of cooking; it provides great cleaning solutions and quick fixes; it recommends health and recovery tips that are realistic for a chaotic toddler parenting phase of life; and assists with workplace tasks in a way that was never available to media professionals, even a few years ago.

But my awareness of what is more important is, thankfully, still active.  

I don’t want a machine to replicate validation.  

I don’t want a machine to replicate care and empathy.  

I don’t want a machine to comfort me late at night when the worries of the world feel heavy. 

John Lennox said AI has no consciousness and, therefore, no moral agency.

The consequences of decisions are zero for AI but significant for people, so we must not confuse the relationship balance. 

“The conscious side involves all that appreciation of life and nature and beauty, and so on, that we can see some meaning in,” Lennox said.  

“There’s another thing, there’s a consciousness of other people and there’s ‘God consciousness’. There are certain things [machines] cannot do, even potentially, that the human mind can do, so there’s no way a machine is ever going to be able to simulate a human mind completely.” 

“There are certain things machines cannot do, even potentially, that the human mind can do, so there’s no way a machine will ever fully replicate us.” – John Lennox

When asked if that mattered, conscious or not, if the output was the same, Lennox answered, “if you want to live in a reductive universe, which ends up being meaningless, then you can go that way. There’s nothing to stop you”. 

“Who’s responsible for (AI’s) capacity? Humans,” he said. 

As messy as people are, we don’t need AI to be godlike.  

Incredibly, God already made humans in his likeness.

When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God. He created them male and female and blessed them. 

So, I’ve joined in on the fun of asking AI what it knows about me, but I’ll leave it there and concentrate on what people know about me.  

I’ll leave AI to programming tasks that make my cooking taste delicious, my writing grammatically flawless, and all my clothes soon-to-be “garment steamed”.

Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.

About the Author: Beth Rivers is a digital manager and writer from Sydney, Australia.

Feature image: Supplied (Screenshot from The Diary of a CEO podcast YouTube / Canva )

Many people quietly carry the same heavy question: Am I actually good for anything?

In a world driven by comparison, performance, and curated success stories, it’s easy to lose sight of who we really are and our God-given gifts.

Many people spend years convinced they have little to offer, simply because they measure themselves against others. Scripture offers a radically different perspective, one grounded not in competition, but in calling. Berni Dymet believes that many believers today struggle to recognise and value what God has uniquely placed within each of us.

When Comparison Steals Your Joy

Comparison culture tells us that value comes from keeping up. But that mindset never satisfies. No matter how far we climb, there will always be someone who appears more gifted or more accomplished.

‘The more I talk to people, the more I discover how many people aren’t happy with who they are,’ says Berni.

God never intended us to copy someone else’s life. Comparison blinds us to our own strengths and magnifies our weaknesses. It leaves us striving instead of serving, insecure instead of grateful.

Freedom begins when we stop measuring ourselves against others and start understanding our unique God‑given gifts.

God’s Design Is Purposeful

The Bible is clear: God works intentionally. Nothing about your life is accidental. Your abilities, personality, and passions are not mistakes waiting to be corrected; they are clues to your God-given purpose.

Paul’s words in Romans 12 remind us that the body of Christ is made up of many different parts, each with a distinct role. Not everyone teaches. Not everyone leads. Not everyone serves in the same way. And that’s not a problem to solve; it’s God’s design to celebrate.

‘All those differences together create a body that creates a community,’ Berni explains.

When we try to be someone we’re not, we end up frustrated and exhausted. But when we lean into our Christian identity, serving becomes life‑giving rather than draining.

Discovering your God-given gifts requires honesty and humility. It means acknowledging both strengths and limits, and learning to be at peace with both.

The Pressure to Be Everything

Modern culture places enormous pressure on people to be everything at once. Good at work. Perfect at home. Physically fit. Spiritually strong. Emotionally balanced.

Even in Christian circles, the temptation exists to imitate visible gifts while undervaluing quieter ones. We can begin to equate significance with having a platform, rather than faithfulness.

But Scripture never defines success by visibility. Faithfulness is measured in obedience, not applause.

There’s something deeply freeing about embracing what you were meant to do and releasing what you’re not. The moment we stop striving to impress, we gain space to grow where God has actually placed us.

‘Do what you were made to do,’ says Berni. ‘Discover your gift, your unique talent and ability.’

Discovering Your God‑Given Gifts Takes Time

Most gifts don’t reveal themselves instantly. Skills develop through practice. Faith grows through obedience. Calling becomes clearer as we walk forward, not as we wait for perfect certainty.

Sometimes we dismiss a gift too early because the beginning feels awkward or unimpressive. Other times we chase aspirations that simply don’t align with how we are wired.

Berni says that even great abilities often start out rough before they become refined. Discernment takes patience, community, and prayer.

Listening to trusted people who know us well can be invaluable. They often see strengths we overlook or take for granted.

Living Out Your God‑Given Purpose in Everyday Life

Not every calling is dramatic. Many expressions of faithfulness are quiet, steady, and unseen. Parenting, administration, encouragement, generosity, hospitality—these are not secondary callings. They are essential ones.

Whilst some responsibilities may not be our passion, they still matter. The key isn’t doing only what we like, but faithfully stewarding what God has entrusted to us.

When we stop chasing someone else’s path and start walking in our own God-given purpose, service becomes joyful instead of heavy.

Becoming Who You Were Meant to Be

The invitation God extends is simple but profound: be who I made you to be.

Discover your God-given gifts. Use them generously. Serve faithfully. Let go of comparison and embrace your Christian identity. When that happens, the Christian life stops feeling like a performance and starts becoming a calling.

In a world constantly telling you to be more, God gently reminds you that you are already complete in Him.

And that realisation changes everything.

Article supplied with thanks to Vision – a non-profit, follower-funded Christian media ministry taking God’s Word to every corner of Australia and beyond through broadcast, online and print media.

Feature image: Canva

For many people, introducing themselves sounds something like this: “Hi, I’m Sarah. I’m a teacher,” or “I’m Mike, a builder.” Our work often becomes closely tied to who we believe we are. But is our job really meant to define our identity?

Pastor Geoff Woodward from Metro Church explores why so many people link their identity to their careers, and how faith offers a deeper foundation.

Why We Tie Identity to Our Work

According to Pastor Geoff, the connection between identity and occupation begins early in life.

“As children, adults often ask, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’” he explains. “They rarely ask, ‘Who do you want to be?’”

From school through higher education, much of life prepares us for a career path. Naturally, when we spend a significant portion of our time working, our sense of identity becomes wrapped around what we do.

However, problems often arise when circumstances change. Retirement, job loss, or career dissatisfaction can leave people asking difficult questions about purpose and self-worth.

Many individuals eventually realise that their job doesn’t fully reflect who they truly are, prompting career changes or deeper personal reflection.

When Career Identity Starts to Crack

Pastor Geoff notes that identity struggles often appear during life transitions. Someone may spend years studying or working toward a specific role, only to wake up one day feeling disconnected from it.

This experience is increasingly common as people seek meaning beyond achievement or professional success. When identity relies solely on employment, changes in work can feel like losing part of oneself. That’s why building identity on something more stable becomes essential.

What Does It Mean to Find Identity in Christ?

For Christians, the phrase “find your identity in Christ” is familiar – but what does it actually mean in everyday life?

Pastor Geoff explains that the Bible describes people as both saved and called. This calling isn’t limited to pastors or ministry leaders; rather, it reflects a deeper truth that every person has value and purpose.

Identity, he says, should not be measured by:

• Popularity or recognition
• Social media followers
• Career status or income
• Other people’s opinions

Instead, faith teaches that worth comes from being loved and chosen by God.

Understanding Your True Value

Sharing a personal story from his school years, Pastor Geoff recalls often being the last student chosen for sports teams because of his small size. That experience shaped how he viewed acceptance and belonging – something many people can relate to.

He believes many adults carry a similar feeling into life, wondering whether they truly matter or are simply tolerated.

Christian faith presents a different perspective: God’s love is not based on performance or perfection. Just as a parent deeply loves their children despite flaws, God’s love remains constant. Recognising this truth helps people anchor their identity in something unchanging rather than temporary circumstances.

Living With Purpose Beyond Your Job

When identity comes from faith rather than occupation, career changes become less threatening. Work remains important, but it no longer defines personal worth.

Pastor Geoff encourages people to remember:

• You are valued beyond what you produce.
• Your purpose is greater than your profession.
• Your identity isn’t determined by who pays your salary.

Ultimately, understanding identity through faith brings freedom – allowing people to work, change direction, or face uncertainty without losing their sense of self.

Because who you are matters far more than what you do. 

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

Feature image: Canva

Recently I was at my friend Brendan’s house preparing for a camping trip. One of my favourite things is getting away for the weekend—escaping the hustle and bustle of modern life, immersing myself in nature and exploring new places with friends—with the boys!

We had a few jobs to do with the vehicles and equipment before we hit the road. As we headed out to the shed, Brendan said to his three-year-old son, “Jonty, do you want to come out to the shed with Josh and I to help us?” Without hesitation Jonty threw his arms in the air, sprinting flat-stick towards the shed, and shouted with delight, “Maaaan stuff!”

That memory brings a smile to my face as I think about Jonty’s joy. But it also makes me wonder—what exactly is “man stuff”? More importantly, what does it really mean to be a man?

Defining Masculinity

This question can seem somewhat provocative in our current cultural moment. What is a man? Is it merely the possession of an X and Y chromosome? And perhaps more importantly, what is it that makes a man great?

Sometimes it can help to define what something is by looking at what it’s not. It’s easy to recognise when men fall short of the mark, when they fail to meet society’s expectations. The term “toxic masculinity” is used to describe when a man sinks beneath the ideal. But are all forms of masculinity toxic? Is there an ideal version that’s missing from the world today? 

First, Failure 

How do we know when men have failed? Throughout history there have been numerous great men that we have looked up to as ideals. And yet, even the greatest among them were imperfect. Perhaps you can recall a public scandal—a presidential affair or an elite athlete brought down by substance abuse. 

These are public examples, but many failures happen in private: fathers who abandon their families; boyfriends who physically or emotionally abuse their partner; men who use strength or power to dominate or manipulate. 

At their core, these failings come down to a lack of self-control—abusing power and strength at the expense of others, typically the vulnerable. That’s what I mean when I use the term toxic masculinity: dominating those who can’t fight back. 

But to be clear, it’s not just a male problem—it’s a human problem. Toxic humanity. The depravity of the human heart. Ultimately it boils down to self-centredness, self-preservation, anti-love—or as we Christians call it, sin. This problem plays out in our natural makeup of either masculine or feminine, but the root issue is the same.

To dig deeper would be beyond the scope of this article so I’m going to focus on the masculine side, which raises the question: why does this happen? What leads to the downfall of men?

Peter Pan Syndrome

One reason many men struggle is because of a lack of solid masculine role models in their lives. Psychologist Jordan Peterson refers to this as the “Peter Pan” syndrome. Peter Pan is an eternal child—full of potential—and that’s the problem. Peter Pan never grows up. You can hardly blame him, though. His model of manhood is none other than Captain Hook—a dangerous man, driven by fear of his impending demise, spiralling into chaotic and violent madness. Hook is hardly a role model worth aspiring to. 

And so, Peter’s potential remains unrealised. Sure, he’s king of the Lost Boys, but that’s hardly something to strive for. He has the opportunity to connect with a real girl, Wendy, yet instead prefers the company of Tinkerbell, the fairy. Sadly, that’s not far from reality today—a generation of young men who’d rather stay home with the comforts of OnlyFans than take the risk of pursuing something meaningful—and risky—with a real woman. After all, a woman on OnlyFans is always available and won’t reject your advances.

Where Do I Look?  

The best example I’ve found of healthy masculinity is none other than Jesus of Nazareth. This might surprise some, especially because of effeminate artistic depictions of Him throughout history. Despite this, I would argue that Jesus is the epitome of what it truly means to be a man.

Jesus was a first-century Middle Eastern tradesman, a countercultural revolutionary and a fearless man full of passion and empathy. He was a teacher, but also a voice for the voiceless and oppressed. He wasn’t petty. He was humble and patient, able to absorb cruelty without retaliation. Yet when it came to the oppressed, He was relentless—a defender of the defenceless and a liberator of the burdened. 

Jesus was a man in the truest sense of the word. So, what empowered Him to be the man He was?

He Who Has A Why

One of the defining features of Jesus’ life was His purpose. Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl once wrote, “He who has a why can push through any what.” In other words, having a clear purpose is vital for men to thrive—especially when navigating the inevitable obstacles and difficulties of life. Frankl observed that in the Nazi concentration camps, men who lost their sense of purpose were the first to crawl up in the corner and literally die. 

You may not be immediately threatened with death but without purpose, you’ll likely pursue pleasure—pleasure to distract yourself from the pain that comes from a meaningless life. Without purpose, you remain a boy, attempting to avoid the challenges of becoming like the men you once admired or have come to despise.

Throughout history, men have taken a stand when they had a clear “why”. Purpose enabled and transformed boys into men. From that foundation of a clear purpose flow courage, bravery and service.

Power Under Control

Being a man isn’t just about strength—it’s about strength under control. In the words of author Ty Gibson, “True masculinity is power under (self) control. It can then flash forward when it’s needed to defend the defenceless, but always under the control of righteousness and love.”

That’s true masculinity. It takes far more strength to control our temper than to fly off the handle in a fit of rage. It takes far more strength to serve than to be served. True masculinity is power under control—power to protect, power to serve, power to empower. When that power becomes self-serving and self-centred, it crosses into the realm of toxicity. 

In the words of 19th-century writer Ellen Write, “The greatest want of the world is the want of men—men who will not be bought or sold . . . men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.”

Throughout history great men have stood against tyranny, liberated the oppressed, defended the powerless and sacrificed themselves for the good of others.

Strength in Numbers

One of the most detrimental misconceptions I held growing up was the belief that being a man meant going at it alone—suffering in silence. As I’ve matured, I’ve learned how detrimental that idea is. The truth is, it’s a sign of strength to ask for help. Motivational speaker Les Brown once said, “We ask for help, not because we are weak, but so that we can remain strong.”

In a world full of chaos, we need men who will stand—men willing to grow up, who will move on from Neverland and step into a life of purpose. The world needs men who not only live up to their potential but empower others to live up to theirs—not for their own glory, but for the greater good of everyone they encounter. 

It’s time for men to become more like Jesus.

This article is supplied with thanks to Signs of The Times

Joshua Newbegin is a coach, minister and communicator passionate about helping people grow through clarity, courage and connection. He is the founder of Kaizen Coaching Solutions and host of the Unchained Brotherhood podcast.

Feature image: Canva

Self-identity is how we see and understand ourselves—knowing who we are, what we believe in, and how we feel about ourselves.

Susan Woodworth from Walk and Talk Psychology explains that a stable self-identity links to better mental health, a stronger sense of belonging, and validation from others. Friends play a key role in this by providing acceptance and a space to explore personal growth.

Friends and family shape self-identity through belonging and roles. The people we choose to surround ourselves with offer acceptance, which builds a positive self-image and reinforces core values. Family roles—like being a mum, sibling, or older sister—start this process early, evolving into social groups as we age, such as sporty or academic circles where we take on roles like leader or mediator.

Friends as Mirrors

Friends act as mirrors reflecting our inner selves. Consider five people you feel strongly about: what do you admire, share in common, or find irritating? Admiration often highlights traits you’re proud of or aspire to. Common ground validates your current values and sense of belonging. Irritation signals opposites to your values—what you don’t want to become.​

Different friends naturally bring out different personality sides, showing adaptability rather than inauthenticity. If your friends don’t align with how you see yourself, it can feel confusing. Choosing who to hang out with matters: surround yourself with those who make your identity feel balanced and true.

Parenting and Guiding Kids

Parents can gently guide children toward positive self-views by staying curious about their friendships. Ask what they like about these friends and what sides of themselves emerge. Friends help kids explore personality facets and decide what they want to become. Encourage meaningful interactions that build a strong personal identity.​

Susan reminds us that choosing surroundings thoughtfully foster mental wellbeing. By reflecting on our “mirrors” and roles, we discover more about ourselves and grow authentically.

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

Feature image: Canva