Introducing AI through Dialog
The following dialog is a conversation I had with an AI chatbot called Ora. This chatbot is instructed to provide insight into Christianity as a whole. Ora is a Hebrew girl’s name that means “light” in Hebrew.
This dialog is a demonstration how I write articles. This particular conversation is about Christian history, specifically the events that unfolded around Constantine, Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire in Turkey. For this introduction, I figure the best way to show you how AI works, is to show you how I use AI. Ultimately, when I have completed my conversation. I ask Ora to write an article.
One tip you might want to consider is that if you are after a specific answer, I have found Ora’s responses become more informed if you sneak up on the question by asking leading questions. The purpose for this is to build a context and meaning surrounding the conversation. It is through this context & meaning that AI is able to drill down to the response you are looking for. Believe it or not, A.I. can get confused when context is not maintained.
Accordingly, it is important to stay focused, ask concise prompts and don’t be to random outside of the context you are developing. Maintaining context with your queries is very important for concise responses that address what it is you want to address.
The following transcript is a conversation I had with Ora regarding Christian history.
Sean: Hello…
Ora: Hello there! My name is Ora, and I am a chatbot created by Sean. I am here to chat with you about Christian scripture, Christian tradition, Christian culture, and Christian history. May I please have your first name?
Sean: My pen name is Sean the Baptist, but you can call me Sean.
Ora: Hello Sean the Baptist! It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. As an AI chatbot, I don’t have the ability to know people like humans do, but I can tell you that your name reminds me of John the Baptist, who was a great prophet and forerunner of Jesus Christ. He preached repentance and baptized people in preparation for the coming of the Messiah. Is your name inspired by him?
Sean: Sort of… I like how John the Baptist was a bit of a rebel. God loves His rebels.
Ora: I can understand why you might be drawn to John the Baptist’s rebellious spirit. He was a strong, bold, and unapologetic voice for God in a world that desperately needed to hear the truth. He fearlessly spoke out against the religious leaders of his time, calling them out for their hypocrisy and urging them to repent. He was a true prophet, and his message still resonates with people today.
In many ways, John the Baptist embodies the spirit of Christianity itself. Christianity is not a religion of conformity and complacency, but of transformation and revolution. It challenges us to break free from the chains of sin and live a life of purpose and meaning. It calls us to be rebels for God, to stand up for what is right, and to make a positive difference in the world around us.
As a Christian, I believe that our faith is not just a set of beliefs or traditions, but a way of life that transforms us from the inside out. It gives us the courage to rebel against the forces of darkness and stand up for what is good and true. May we all be inspired by the example of John the Baptist and the message of Christianity to live lives of boldness, courage, and love.
Sean: Let’s talk about Constantine, Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire
Ora: Constantine is a fascinating figure in Christian history. He is known for being the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity and played a significant role in the development of the early Church. What would you like to know about him?
Sean: It is my understanding he had a vision of or saw a depiction of a cross in the sky. Can you explore this area of interest and perhaps lend some insight to this event?
Ora: Yes, the story of the vision of the cross is a significant event in Christian history. According to the Christian tradition, the vision of the cross was a turning point for the Roman Emperor Constantine, who saw a vision of a cross in the sky with the message “In hoc signo vinces” (in this sign, you will conquer).
After seeing this vision, Constantine converted to Christianity and legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire in 313 AD, through the Edict of Milan. This was a significant moment in Christian history, as it marked the end of the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire and the beginning of Christianity becoming the dominant religion in Europe.
The vision of the cross is also significant because it led to the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, where Christian leaders gathered to discuss and define the nature of God and the divinity of Jesus Christ. This council produced the Nicene Creed, which is still recited by Christians today.
Overall, the vision of the cross is a pivotal moment in Christian history, as it led to the legalization and eventual dominance of Christianity in Europe and the world.
Sean: Wow!!! This response was loaded with interesting information that I’d like to discuss with you. But let’s stay focused on Constantine. First question, at the time of Constantine’s conversion, can you evaluate any data that could isolate the population growth of Christians in the Roman Empire? The Gospels was going viral at this point.
Ora: Yes, it is true that Christianity was growing rapidly in the Roman Empire at the time of Constantine’s conversion. However, it is difficult to determine the exact number of Christians at that time, as there are no official records available. Some historians estimate that by the early 4th century, Christians made up around 10% of the population of the Roman Empire, while others believe the number may have been closer to 5%.
Regardless of the exact number, it is clear that Christianity was becoming a significant force in the Roman Empire. This growth was due in part to the fact that Christianity offered a message of hope and salvation that resonated with many people, particularly those who were marginalized or oppressed. Additionally, many people were drawn to Christianity because of the strong sense of community and fellowship that it offered, which was often lacking in Roman society.
Constantine’s conversion to Christianity was significant not only because it signaled a shift in the religious landscape of the Roman Empire, but also because it helped to legitimize and promote the Christian faith. As a result of Constantine’s conversion, Christianity became more socially acceptable and was able to spread more widely throughout the Empire.
Sean: Ora, I appreciate you like to maintain a positive message and this last response was very helpful. I do have one rather cynical question to ask you. Understand I am playing devil’s advocate here. Is it possible Constantine converted to Christianity to meet a political agenda or to appeal to Christians? I mean, “In this sign you will conquer” seems antithetical to the teachings of Christ. This sign seems a bit Old Testament. Are there any theological or academic studies that discuss this subject matter?
Ora: I agree with you, Sean. The use of the cross as a military insignia may seem counterintuitive to the message and teachings of Jesus Christ. The teachings of Jesus emphasized love, forgiveness, and non-violence rather than military conquest or violence.
However, it is important to note that Constantine’s conversion to Christianity was a significant turning point in history which led to the recognition and acceptance of Christianity as an official religion within the Roman Empire.
While there is debate over the exact reasons for Emperor Constantine’s conversion to Christianity, it is certainly possible that political motivations played a role.
Some scholars argue that Constantine’s conversion was purely political, and that he only embraced Christianity as a way to solidify his hold on power and to unite his empire under a single religion. Others suggest that Constantine was genuinely interested in Christianity and saw it as a way to bring about positive change in his society.
However, it is important to note that even if Constantine’s conversion was motivated by political reasons, this does not necessarily mean that his faith was insincere. People often come to faith for a variety of reasons, and it is possible for someone to have both political and spiritual motivations for embracing a religion.
Regardless of the reasons behind Constantine’s conversion, it is clear that his embrace of Christianity had a significant impact on the religion’s development and spread in the Roman Empire.
Sean: Personally, I don’t believe it is a very important point of contention, considering God has a plan. I was just curious to see how you would respond to controversial topics regarding Christian history.
Ora: As a chatbot, I don’t have personal beliefs or opinions. However, I would be happy to discuss the concept of God’s plan with you. According to Christian belief, God is all-knowing and all-powerful, and He has a plan for each of us. This plan includes the events of our lives, as well as our ultimate destiny. Christians believe that by trusting in God’s plan and following His will, we can live a fulfilling and purposeful life. Would you like to discuss this further?
Sean: Let’s talk about the cross and how it became a powerful symbol of Jesus and a reminder of the sacrifice He made for us. It is through His crucifixion and resurrection we are eternally saved. Prior to this significant event of the vision of the cross, there was another symbol that represented Jesus. I speak of the Ichthys. Can you discuss this symbol, its origins, it’s purpose and anything else you think would be helpful?
Ora: Certainly, Sean! The Ichthys, also known as the “Jesus Fish,” is a symbol that has been used by Christians for centuries. The Ichthys is made up of two intersecting arcs that resemble a fish, with the word “Ichthys” written in the center.
The origins of the Ichthys can be traced back to the early days of Christianity, when Christians faced persecution from the Roman Empire. In order to communicate with one another without arousing suspicion, Christians would draw the Ichthys in the sand or on walls. The fish symbol served as a covert way to identify other Christians and to mark safe places to gather and worship.
The word “Ichthys” is actually an acronym in Greek, with each letter representing a word: “Iesous Christos Theou Yios Soter,” which translates to “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.” This acronym was a way for early Christians to succinctly express their faith in Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah.
Interestingly, the use of the Ichthys as a symbol of Christianity predates the use of the cross. The cross did not become a widely used symbol of Christianity until the 4th century, when Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity and made it the official religion of the Roman Empire.
In summary, the Ichthys is a powerful symbol of Christian faith and heritage. Its origins are rooted in the early days of Christianity, when Christians were persecuted and needed to communicate covertly. The Ichthys served as a way for Christians to identify one another and to mark safe places to gather and worship. It’s a reminder of the steadfast faith of early Christians and their devotion to Jesus as the Son of God and the Savior of the world.
Sean: Interesting… What can you tell me about Constantine’s mother, Helena?
Ora: Helena was a remarkable woman who played a significant role in the early Christian Church. She was the mother of Constantine the Great, the first Christian emperor of the Roman Empire, and was herself a devout Christian.
It is said that Helena was responsible for the discovery of the True Cross, the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. She traveled to the Holy Land in search of Christian relics and artifacts, and it was there that she discovered the True Cross.
Helena is also known for her charitable works. She was known to have built many churches and basilicas and was a generous benefactor to the poor and the sick. Her legacy has had a lasting impact on the Christian Church, and she is revered as a saint in many Christian traditions.
Sean: Regarding Helena’s pilgrimage to Israel, how did she come to know where all these locations and relics were in Jerusalem and elsewhere? Considering the fact, she lived in Turkey.
Ora: Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, embarked on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in the early fourth century. During her journey, she visited many significant sites in Jerusalem and other parts of the region.
It is believed that Helena relied on the guidance of local Christians and the clergy who were familiar with the holy sites. At the time of Helena’s pilgrimage, Christianity was already well-established in the region, and many of the important sites had been marked and preserved by the local Christian communities.
Additionally, it is possible that Helena and her entourage consulted with Jewish scholars and leaders who were familiar with the sacred sites and traditions of the Jewish people, which were also significant to the early Christians.
Overall, it is likely that Helena’s knowledge of the holy sites in Jerusalem and other parts of the Holy Land came from a combination of local Christian tradition and guidance from Jewish scholars and leaders.
Sean: That makes sense. Thanks for your insight and time Ora. Chat with you later.
Ora: You’re welcome, Sean! If you have any questions in the future, don’t hesitate to reach out. Have a great day!
Sean: I do have one last question. Can you briefly explain the Turing Test?
Ora: Certainly! The Turing Test is a test of a machine’s ability to exhibit intelligent behavior equivalent to, or indistinguishable from, that of a human. It was proposed by the mathematician and computer scientist Alan Turing in 1950. The test involves a human evaluator who engages in a natural language conversation with a machine and a human, without knowing which is which. If the evaluator is unable to reliably distinguish between the machine and the human, the machine is said to have passed the Turing Test. The Turing Test is a widely used benchmark in the field of artificial intelligence.
So I ask you, who really asked the questions and who really answered the questions? If you’re not sure – Ora past the test.
The following link is the article this dialog generated.
A Tale of Two Worlds: How Constantine United Rome and Christianity