{"id":3770,"date":"2025-11-18T03:45:22","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T08:45:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/snarkyfaith\/?p=3770"},"modified":"2025-11-17T15:06:43","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T20:06:43","slug":"moravecs-paradox-but-make-it-biblical","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/snarkyfaith\/2025\/11\/moravecs-paradox-but-make-it-biblical\/","title":{"rendered":"Moravec\u2019s Paradox, but Make It Biblical"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\"A — Image created with DALL\u00b7E<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>
Moravec\u2019s Paradox<\/a> says the stuff we think should be hard\u2014math, logic, abstraction\u2014is actually pretty easy for machines. Meanwhile, the stuff we assume should be simple\u2014intuition, empathy, basic perception\u2014is stupidly difficult. AI can solve a differential equation faster than we can finish pouring a cup of coffee. But ask it to understand why someone is crying in a grocery store? Full system meltdown.<\/p>\n
The Paradox We Don\u2019t Want to See<\/h2>\n
It\u2019s a paradox of priorities. And, honestly, Christianity has been living in that paradox for centuries.<\/p>\n
Because Christians are elite-level athletes at the stuff that should be hard:<\/p>\n
\n
theological sword-fighting<\/li>\n
parsing \u201clogos\u201d in the original Greek like it\u2019s the Da Vinci Code<\/li>\n
architecting entire denominations over whether baptism is a dunk, a splash, or a polite moistening<\/li>\n
building eschatology charts that look like conspiracy walls on meth<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
But somehow, the things that should be painfully, insultingly simple?<\/p>\n
\n
kindness<\/li>\n
humility<\/li>\n
generosity<\/li>\n
compassion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Those are the things the church keeps failing like a college freshman taking Calculus at 7 AM.<\/p>\n
We have mastered the complex mechanics of faith while flunking the human parts of it.<\/p>\n
We can debate the particularities of the Trinity with surgical precision, but God forbid someone cuts in line at Costco\u2014then it\u2019s Old Testament justice time. Sackcloth and ashes? No. Just yelling at a stranger over samples.<\/p>\n
This is Moravec\u2019s Paradox in a choir robe.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve become theological savants and ethical toddlers.<\/p>\n
And really, we\u2019ve built systems that reward that imbalance. Pastors get job security for being \u201cdoctrinally sound,\u201d not for being decent human beings. Churches advertise \u201cbiblical teaching,\u201d not \u201cwe actually give a crap about the people in our community.\u201d Seminary trains you to defend the faith, not to apologize when you hurt someone.<\/p>\n
The \u201chard\u201d parts of Christianity\u2014doctrine, dogma, power structures\u2014are machinery. They can be learned, memorized, automated. You can run that whole performance in sleep mode.<\/p>\n
The \u201csimple\u201d parts\u2014be merciful, treat people well, don\u2019t be a jerk\u2014require vulnerability, self-awareness, and actual growth. And those are terrifying.<\/p>\n
So instead, Christians built a faith where you can admire Jesus while behaving nothing like him.<\/p>\n
The Simple Thing We Keep Avoiding<\/h2>\n
Love your neighbor <\/strong>became:
\nLove your neighbor (except, of course, if they vote differently, identify differently, pray differently, or make you feel mildly uncomfortable).<\/em><\/p>\n
Blessed are the peacemakers <\/strong>became:
\nBlessed are the brand builders.<\/em><\/p>\n
Care for the poor <\/strong>became:
\nHost a poverty simulation workshop and call it discipleship.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
And then we applaud ourselves for understanding the context of the Sermon on the Mount while never actually doing anything it says.<\/em><\/p>\n
Congratulations, church. You solved the equation and failed the assignment.<\/p>\n
Because let\u2019s be extremely clear: Jesus did not get murdered for being right. He got murdered for being dangerous. For refusing to play the game. For choosing compassion over control. For siding with the people power wanted erased. For calling religious leaders out on being self-righteous twats.<\/p>\n
You know. The stuff we now actively avoid doing.<\/p>\n
Instead, modern Christianity has become a refuge for people who want the illusion of spiritual depth without the inconvenience of becoming loving, decent humans.<\/p>\n
We turned discipleship into a trivia contest:<\/p>\n
\n
Who can quote Paul the fastest?<\/li>\n
Who has the most correct doctrinal position?<\/li>\n
Who can turn empathy into a theological liability?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Faith as performance. Religion as brand management. Spirituality as a security blanket.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the basic point\u2014love people\u2014sits untouched in the corner like a toddler nobody wants to deal with.<\/p>\n
Moravec\u2019s Paradox says machines struggle with what is intuitive.<\/p>\n
Christianity struggles with what is human.<\/p>\n
The Part Jesus Actually Cared About<\/h2>\n
We don\u2019t need more theology.
\nWe don\u2019t need another sermon.
\nWe don\u2019t need another book study on How to Win at Being Right for Jesus\u2122.<\/em><\/p>\n
We need people who are willing to do the embarrassingly simple thing: to actually love.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Not a metaphorical love.
\nNot a \u201cthoughts and prayers\u201d love.
\nNot a \u201cwe\u2019ll form a committee to discuss loving next fiscal quarter\u201d love.
\nBut the kind that requires leaving your ego at the door.<\/p>\n
The kind that costs something.<\/p>\n
The kind Jesus modeled.
\nThe kind the church keeps avoiding.<\/p>\n
Because here\u2019s the punchline:
\nThe deepest parts of faith were never complicated.
\nWe made them complicated so we wouldn\u2019t have to do them.<\/em><\/p>\n
Moravec would be impressed.
\nJesus, probably not.<\/p>\n
\n
$\"A$ <\/div>\n
For more Snarky Faith, check out the podcast and more:<\/h3>\n
\n
Snarky Faith website<\/a><\/li>\n
Instagram: @stuartdelony<\/a><\/li>\n
YouTube: @snarkyfaith<\/a><\/li>\n
Bluesky: @snarkyfaith.bsky.social<\/a><\/li>\n
Facebook Group: facebook.com\/snarkyfaith<\/a><\/li>\n
Snarky Faith t-shirts and mugs available here<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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