I asked AI program Chat GPT to write a story in Charles Dickens’ style about Jesus in New York City. The result was commonplace but at times intriguing:
It was a cold and foggy night in the city that never sleeps. The streets were crowded with people of all sorts and conditions, hurrying to and fro, or loitering about in search of amusement or profit. Among them was a young man of humble appearance, dressed in a simple robe and sandals, with long hair and a beard. He carried nothing but a staff and a small bag, and looked around him with wonder and curiosity.
He had come from a faraway land, where he had been born in a stable and raised by a carpenter and his wife. He had learned the scriptures from an early age, and had felt a calling to preach the good news of God’s love and mercy to his people. He had gathered a few followers, who had witnessed his miracles of healing the sick, feeding the hungry, calming the stormy sea, and even raising the dead. He had also made many enemies among the powerful and the proud, who hated him for exposing their hypocrisy and corruption. They had plotted against him, betrayed him, arrested him, tortured him, and crucified him on a cross.
But he had not died. On the third day after his burial, he had risen from the dead, as he had foretold. He had appeared to his disciples again, and instructed them to spread his message to all nations. He had ascended into heaven, promising to return one day to judge the living and the dead.
And now he was back. Not in glory and majesty as he would be at the end of time but in humility and meekness as he was at his first coming. He wanted to see how his followers were doing after two thousand years of history; how they had preserved his teachings; how they had lived by his example; how they had loved one another as he loved them.
He walked along Broadway Avenue until he reached Times Square where he stopped for a moment
to observe the dazzling spectacle of lights and sounds that filled the air. He saw giant screens displaying images of violence,
lust,
greed,
and vanity.
He heard loud music blaring from speakers,
advertising products that promised happiness but delivered emptiness.
He smelled smoke,
alcohol,
and drugs that numbed
the senses but poisoned
the soul.
He felt
the push
and shove
of people who cared only for themselves but ignored their neighbors.
He shook his head sadly,
and wondered if this was what he died for.
AI programs provide a new tool to imaginatively explore Jesus’ life in all places, all cultures, and all times.
