The nexus between social media and digitisation and the dependence of the Holy Spirit in the South African township Pentecostal-Charismatic context

Abstract

Background: Humankind has transitioned through three major industrial revolutions, namely, the First Industrial Revolution (1IR: 1760–1850), the Second Industrial Revolution (2IR: 1865–1914) and the Third Industrial Revolution (3IR: 1960–2000s). The 21st century has ushered in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), which introduced artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things, bioengineering, 3D printing, nanotechnology, robotics, virtual reality and augmented reality. It still continues with rapid digital advancements that affect all spheres of human life thus, affecting religious experiences because such experiences occur and are practised within a context. Pentecostalism emerged (originated in the United States and expanded to other parts of the world) within the past 118 years with the quest of experiencing baptism in the Holy Spirit. Technology (AI, social media and digitisation) is advancing rapidly in the 21st century and affects theological understanding, experience and reflection among various Christian traditions.
Objectives: This article intends to focus on a utilitarian view as a framework to determine how social media and digitisation impact Pentecostal-Charismatic religious practice in South African townships. The question this article seeks to answer is: How does the emergence and use of social media and digitisation impact the dependence on the Holy Spirit among South African township Pentecostal-Charismatic religious experience?
Method: The article combines Pentecostalism and AI to conceptualise a hybrid research method that is an intersection of one of the forms of Christian faith and AI.
Results: The article demonstrates that the emergence and use of social media and digitisation do not undermine the highly regarded role of the Holy Spirit among South African township Pentecostal-Charismatic practice instead it enhances it.
Conclusion: The article demonstrates that the emergence and use of social media and digitisation do not undermine the highly regarded role of the Holy Spirit among South African township Pentecostal-Charismatic practice; instead they enhance it.
Contribution: The article contributes to current discussions on the interaction between artificial intelligence and religion.