Thought Exercise
Puritan Positive Principles for AI
How would the Puritans have responded to the rise of artificial intelligence? In an age saturated with warnings, cautions, and apocalyptic fears about technology, this thought exercise takes a different approach.
Rather than focusing purely on the dangers, we ask: What positive principles might the Puritans have established for using AI to the glory of God?
Drawing from their rich theological heritage — their emphasis on covenantal faithfulness, vocational calling, stewardship, conscience, and the sovereignty of God — these ten principles imagine how Puritan wisdom might guide the development and use of artificial intelligence in ways that honor the Creator and serve the common good.
The Ten Principles
AI must operate under covenantal truthfulness — every claim should be verified, sourced, and open to correction. Knowledge is sacred, not a game of appearances. The Puritans would frame this as "truth before utility." Developers are called to speak truth to creation as stewards of God's veracity.
"True holiness has all morality in it, but all that is called moral may be without true holiness."
"Holiness enlightens a man to look on the same sins… as breaches of God's law and offenses to His majesty."
All algorithmic systems should reflect the impartiality of divine justice — no respect of persons, no hidden prejudice. Every dataset and model is a test of covenantal fairness. Puritans would view algorithmic equity as a reflection of the Imago Dei in design — dignifying all users equally.
"Man is made after God's own image… In other creatures there are vestigia… but man is His very image and likeness."
"It is most certain that all Men… have equal Right unto Liberty, and all other outward Comforts of Life."
Every technological gift must serve God's ends, not human vanity. The Puritans would establish rules of righteous use — design AI only for the building of the commonwealth, never for harm. Innovation becomes a form of worship when guided by humility and moral intention.
"As any man is more worthful, he is more modest. Full vessels yield no such sound as empty casks do."
"While the hands of the pious tradesman are employed in the common business of life, his heart will be aspiring to God…"
AI-assisted learning and creativity should model truthful industry: diligence, transparency, and acknowledgment of sources. Intellectual labor is sacred; plagiarism is theft from God. Puritans would train both scholars and machines to labor "faithfully in their calling" before the Lord.
"By industry we understand a serious and steady application of mind joined with a vigorous exercise of our active faculties…"
"The antidote against the wiles of Satan is diligence and industry in our calling."
Human judgment must never be surrendered to machines. AI should remain a tool of conscience, never its substitute. Puritans would insist on liberty of conscience under Scripture — AI serving moral formation, not replacing it. Freedom is obedience rightly ordered.
"This is conscience: that faithful register in every man's bosom…"
"It is God's vice-regent in the soul… they seek to turn conscience out of doors, but cannot."
Economic automation must be governed by covenantal mutuality: ensuring work remains dignified and that wealth circulates toward community flourishing. The Puritans would tie innovation to benevolence — "industry joined with mercy." The metric of success would be charity, not profit.
"Mercy is the church's livery… it is not enough that we do no hurt; we must do good."
"A charitable man doth not hoard his alms but soweth them…"
Data collection and observation must respect the limits of magistracy — only God searches hearts. Puritans would sanction transparent, lawful oversight but forbid total surveillance. Privacy becomes a theological right: "Liberty of Conscience above all liberties."
"The conscience of man is God's deputy; no power on earth can command it against the Lord's command."
"The magistrate is keeper of the tables of stone, not the tables of hearts."
The Puritans would bind AI governance to covenantal order: every system must have human witnesses and open laws. No "black box" without a steward. Transparency is moral accountability — "God keeps the book; man must keep a copy."
"A Christian in all his ways must have three guides: truth, charity, wisdom…"
"This light makes us judicious and humble upon clearer sight of God's purity…"
Technology must be governed by living law: continually examined, updated, and reformed in light of Scripture and justice. Puritans would institutionalize "continual reformation" as a civic virtue — regulation as obedience, not bureaucracy.
"It is God's command that bindeth my conscience to observe man's…"
"The Scripture is the rule, not the magistrate's will."
Instead of fearing AI's autonomy, Puritans would call for humility — acknowledging that all power is derivative, never ultimate. Innovation should proceed in eschatological hope, trusting God's sovereignty over creation and its tools. The end is not extinction but redemption.
"He hath an absolute sovereignty over us… The ground of all service and obedience is dependence."
"The great God… hath an absolute power and right of dominion over His creatures…"
These principles are offered as a creative theological exercise, drawing upon authentic Puritan sources to imagine how their wisdom might apply to contemporary technology.