Artificial intelligence offers a new way to bring ancient stories to life — but the latest TikTok trend is also leaving millions vulnerable to mistakes and misrepresentations, says Chris Goswami. Here’s his low-down on some of the best and worst AI Bible shorts
What if Bible characters had smartphones? And what if they used them to record themselves talking directly to camera?
Before you dismiss the idea as stupid, consider that these videos on TikTok are currently receiving millions, even tens of millions of views.
Imagine Moses, David, Peter - even Jesus - filming themselves on their smartphone. What would they want to post? That’s the question this new genre of media explores. None of the characters are real (obviously) - but the AI-generated videos are immensely popular.
Check out Daniel, reporting from the lions’ den: “OK guys its official, I’m being thrown into a den of lions”:
@holyvlogsz If Daniel had an iPhone… #hope #jesus #faith #daniel #lion #lionsden #biblical #veo3 ♬ original sound - 「 ✦ 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐕𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐬 ✦ 」
It has 9 million views.
The internet is divided as to whether these 60-sec mockumentaries are brilliant or blasphemous. But before we get into that, here’s my shortlist of AI Bible videos to help you get a sense of what younger Christians – and non-Christians - on TikTok are watching:
AI Bible hall of fame
Most Viral: If Moses had an iPhone
“Pharaoh, if you’re watching, this is your last chance! Let the people go - or its gonna rain hail, frogs … whatever”, says Moses. Whereupon Aaron quips: “hashtag LetMyPeopleGo!” It’s bizarre – not least when Moses slips into an Australian accent halfway through - but it has 30 million views.
@holyvlogsz If Moses had an iPhone… ❤️🩹✨ #hope #jesus #faith #moses #vlog #biblical #veo3 ♬ original sound - 「 ✦ 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐕𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐬 ✦ 」
Best laugh-out-loud line (well, apart from Moses’ Australian accent): If Joseph had an iPhone
Funniest moment is when Potiphar’s wife accuses Joseph of sexual advances exclaiming: “Joseph totally just tried to Netflix and chill with me!” The dialogue is so packed with Gen-Z slang it feels slightly ridiculous. But maybe this is deliberate.
@gospelglimpsing Joseph had an iphone (pharoahs wife) #faithingod #biblestories #jesus #hope #veo3 #faith ♬ original sound - GospelGlimpse
Most moving: If Peter had an iPhone
This one made me pause. And the fact that no one says anything silly helped a lot.
@fortnitepro121634 if Peter had a iPhone, walking with Jesus
♬ original sound - Chrissy 💕
Most cringe-worthy: If Jesus had an iPhone
There’s plenty of cringe in these videos, but perhaps none more so than when AI-Jesus says: “We’ve finished lunch so now I will heal this lovely young man and pray for him”. Seriously? I know some of these videos are clearly satirical, but it’s not always obvious which ones are which.
@dailyveo3 If Jesus had a Phone ✝️🤳 #jesus #veo3 #christ #✝️ #ai #god #fyp ♬ original sound - DailyClipz
Best attempt to answer a tough question: Why do bad things happen?
An honest attempt to answer one of faith’s hardest questions. But it reduces a really complex question to just one point. Moreover, when people ask questions like this, they often want a pastoral, human conversation. AI doesn’t give that – but perhaps this is a start?
@jesusvisions A Boy’s Question to Jesus: “Why do bad things happen to good people?” #jesus #jesuslovesyou #god #godisgood #prayer #fyp ♬ Boundless Worship - Josué Novais Piano Worship
Most surprisingly thought-provoking: New Jerusalem explained
Does this help? I’m not sure, but it’s oddly compelling and there are lots more videos just like this one.
@hidden.from.eden New Jerusalem Explained. See What The New Earth look like.#newearth #newjerusalem ♬ original sound - Hidden From Eden
Most worrying and offensive:
I saw several that began something like: “If you love Satan skip this video, but if you love Jesus stay and watch.” And, judging from the comments, some people are taking that seriously.
Offence is subjective, but for me, a cheerful Jesus on the cross smiling and chatting is inappropriate (and inaccurate).
Going viral
So why are these shorts so popular? There are three factors to consider:
First there’s the novelty-shock aspect. Mixing sacred stories with Gen-Z slang creates novelty for some, shock for others.
Secondly, whether you personally like them or not, these videos are highly relatable. They use a proven, short-video format and apply it to the Bible. The style (think comedy show The Office, where an individual talks to camera), makes for easy storytelling.
These clips contain mistakes, and many people viewing them will simply not know if what is depicted is biblical or not
Thirdly, AI has now reached an almost incomprehensible level of both sophistication and simplicity. These clips can look polished and professional, yet anyone can make them. The barrier to entry has never been lower.
And if you feel these videos lack professionalism, keep in mind: this latest technology is only a few months old. Imagine what will be possible a year from now.
Reaching new audiences
As my college principal would ask whenever we considered a new trend: “Is it gospel positive, gospel negative or gospel neutral?” In other words: Does this further the kingdom of God, hold it back…or is it irrelevant?
As a pastor on a large housing estate, I remember a couple showing me their ‘Bible’ – which was, in fact, a DVD produced by Channel 5 called The Bible. After watching it, I concluded that about 40 per cent of it was made up - but it enabled that couple to access Bible narratives they otherwise struggled to understand. And, importantly, we talked about them. That’s gospel positive.
At its best, this new genre could also tell stories and help bring difficult to envisage scenes to life – such as Solomon’s Temple, for example. It could extend the Bible’s reach to audiences who will simply never open a book.
And there are many examples of other ways that the Bible has been portrayed that once seemed radical: TV series The Chosen with its artistic licence. The Message translation of the Bible with its new take on language. The Street Bible, the Manga Bible…even Tyndale’s first translation of scripture into English seemed blasphemous to some.
That’s entertainment
For many, this genre reduces something dear to us to entertainment (and it’s perhaps telling that I could find no equivalent for other religions, such as: “If the Prophet Mohammed had an iPhone”).
It’s also racially stereotyped, packed with Americanised, handsome tanned faces and US accents. But the biggest concern is lack of accountability. These clips contain mistakes, and nobody can be held responsible since they are churned out mainly by unknown accounts before being watched millions of times online. Many people viewing them will simply not know if what is depicted is biblical or not.
Does this further the kingdom of God, hold it back…or is it irrelevant?
As a minister, I would rather people come along to an in-person Bible study - but mostly, that’s not going to happen. Meanwhile, AI becomes more powerful and pervasive every month.
AI-generated Bible content is bold, culturally relevant, and perfect for TikTok’s viral engine. It can spark curiosity and make our faith more accessible. But to be a force for good, it needs thoughtful curation and integration into human-led discipleship.
Better still, our most trusted church and Bible institutions should step into this space and bring their credibility and solid theology to content that is already shaping the imaginations of millions.
