# What does open source mean in AI?

> Software, prompts, or models whose code or instructions are published for anyone to inspect.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/christian-ai-glossary/open-source
By Andrew Kittridge · November 10, 2026

## Why it matters for Christians

Published prompts and guardrails let a church see how a tool is told to answer.

## What to do

Prefer tools that publish their instructions and guardrails, or will tell you what they are when asked. Openness lets your pastor or elders judge how a tool answers.

## Related words

- [System prompt](https://www.lumin.faith/christian-ai-glossary/system-prompt.md): Hidden instructions an app gives the model before your conversation starts. It sets tone, limits, and often theology.
- [Guardrails](https://www.lumin.faith/christian-ai-glossary/guardrails.md): Rules and filters that limit what an AI system will say or do.

Every word: [Christian AI glossary](https://www.lumin.faith/christian-ai-glossary.md)