Text With Jesus AI chatbot grows rapidly despite blasphemy criticism

Text With Jesus, an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot that lets users message biblical figures, has grown quickly since its launch, and its creator says most users are embracing it despite skepticism and calls of blasphemy.

“Since launch, most people have come to the app out of curiosity, and it’s been incredible to see how many want to try a conversation with biblical figures,” Stéphane Peter, CEO of Catloaf Software, told FOX Business in a statement.

On the app, users can text with “Jesus,” “Moses” or other figures and receive AI-generated responses that quote scripture directly. 

In one exchange displayed on the app, “Jesus” tells a user anxious about work, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).

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A user holds a phone running the Text With Jesus app, which uses AI to simulate conversations with Biblical figures like Jesus Christ. (Courtesy Catloaf Software / Fox News)

Another prompt offers advice on kindness: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).

The app is powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT and developed by Catloaf Software, a Los Angeles–based company founded by Peter, who came to the United States from France. 

Peter previously built lighter apps such as Text From the Founding Fathers and Text From Oscar Wilde before turning to scripture, first with a static devotional tool and then with this interactive version.

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Text With Jesus now includes AI “spiritual counselor” personas, designed to let users ask questions about faith and scripture. (Courtesy Catloaf Software / Fox News)

“We expected some pushback, especially from those who worry about AI taking on roles tied to faith,” Peter said. “But, overall, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The vast majority of users see it for what it is — a fun, accessible way to explore scripture and spirituality in a new format.”

The app recently added AI-powered pastors and spiritual counselors. 

“They’ve quickly become a popular part of the app because they give people a safe, approachable way to ask questions about faith, scripture or life that they might hesitate to raise elsewhere,” Peter said.

Peter, who grew up in a Christian household but says he is “not particularly religious at the moment,” added that while some pastors offered positive feedback after the first version launched, they were not directly involved in development.

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