From Eden to Ethics: African Theological Perspectives on Genesis 1–3, Artificial Intelligence, and the SDGS

Abstract

An era defined by rapid technological transformation, the ethical evaluation of artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology demands renewed theological reflection grounded in Scripture and contextual African theology. This study explores Genesis 1–3 as a theological framework for assessing ethical boundaries in artificial creation amidst advances in AI and biotechnology. It addresses a critical gap by integrating African theological perspectives into contemporary technology ethics, thereby enriching Sustainable Development discourse with faith-based moral insight. Through exegetical, theological, and ethical analyses informed by development studies, this research proposes a holistic framework for equitable and responsible technological innovation rooted in Scripture and contextual theology. As global technological progress transforms healthcare, agriculture, communication, and governance, many ethical debates remain detached from theological foundations such as imago Dei, divine sovereignty, and the Creator–creature relationship. These doctrines define the permissible limits of human creativity and serve as moral safeguards against technological hubris. Using a historical-critical and theological-ethical approach, Genesis 1–3 is interpreted as a paradigm that affirms human vocation and creativity (Gen 1:28; 2:15) while establishing divine boundaries that restrain moral excess. The Fall narrative (Gen 3) functions as a theological critique of humanity’s pursuit of autonomy through forbidden knowledge and unrestrained innovation. Drawing from interdisciplinary perspectives in theology, ethics, and science, this study fosters dialogue between Scripture and contemporary debates on AI and biotechnology. It integrates Christian ethics, African moral philosophy, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 3, 9, and 10) as frameworks for evaluating just and sustainable innovation. The research proposes a faith-informed ethical model that reinterprets these SDGs through a biblical lens emphasizing justice, stewardship, and human dignity. By balancing human creativity with divine limits and integrating imago Dei, divine sovereignty, and relational accountability, this study envisions a future where technological advancement serves the common good, promotes human dignity, preserves cultural integrity, and fosters global equity in harmony with God’s moral order for creation.