One Step Closer to the Brain in a Vat:
What Bioengineered Intelligence Means for a Biblical Worldview

As we wrapped up our recent Creation Today Show on Artificial Intelligence, we heard about a new breakthrough in artificial intelligence and neuroscience that has scientists marveling at what they call a new frontier in computing—integrating lab-grown human brain cells with silicon hardware. An Australian company, Cortical Labs, has developed what it calls Synthetic Biological Intelligence (SBI), where living neurons are trained to process information and interact with electronic systems. Some believe this represents the dawn of a new era in AI, but for those of us who view the world through the lens of Scripture, it raises profound questions about life, consciousness, and the nature of intelligence itself.

The Illusion of Creating Life

Ever since the Tower of Babel, humanity has sought to rival God in its creative abilities. This latest development is another attempt to redefine what it means to be alive and intelligent. Scientists have taken neurons, the tiny building blocks of the human brain, and placed them onto electrodes, effectively allowing them to learn, process information, and interact with computers. The implications are staggering, but what is missing from this discussion is the fundamental truth: Life is not a human invention. Genesis 2:7 reminds us that it was God who “formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.” No amount of technological manipulation can replicate that divine spark.

Are We One Step Closer to the “Brain in a Vat”?

Philosophers have long imagined the “brain in a vat” scenario, where a brain is sustained outside the body and given simulated experiences. While this experiment doesn’t fully match that concept, it does involve maintaining human neurons in a controlled environment and programming them to “think” in artificial ways. This is not true intelligence or consciousness; it is merely another form of programmed response—an echo of real human cognition, not the thing itself. The Bible teaches that humans are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), with a soul that transcends the physical components of our brains. No machine, no neuron cluster, no synthetic intelligence will ever be truly alive in the way God has designed human beings to be.

The Danger of Playing God

Romans 1:22 warns that people who reject God’s wisdom will become “fools” despite claiming to be wise. The rush to create bioengineered intelligence is a prime example. Scientists celebrate these advancements as if they are unlocking the secrets of life, but in reality, they are only manipulating what God has already made. Their work, while impressive from a technological standpoint, lacks the essential qualities that define true life—personhood, consciousness, and the ability to know God. Proverbs 9:10 reminds us that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” meaning that without God at the center of our understanding, all human knowledge is ultimately futile.

A Biblical Perspective on Intelligence

The Bible repeatedly emphasizes that wisdom and understanding come from God (James 1:5, Proverbs 2:6). What scientists are doing with these neuron-based computers is not true intelligence—it is artificial, limited, and ultimately, void of moral responsibility. While technology can be a tool for good, it becomes dangerous when it seeks to usurp God’s role as Creator.

The Real Future of Intelligence

While scientists tinker with neuron-based computers and bioengineered intelligence, believers in Christ can rest assured that real wisdom and truth are not found in laboratories but in the Word of God. Man will never be able to create a soul, nor will he ever achieve true life apart from the Creator. As this technology continues to advance, we must remain vigilant, reminding the world that true intelligence is not found in artificial neurons but in the God who made them. The future does not belong to scientists seeking to mimic life—it belongs to the One who gives life.

Let us not be deceived by the latest scientific advancements, but instead hold firm to the truth of Scripture: God alone is the source of life, intelligence, and wisdom.

Thanks for reading,