A Johannesburg South resident has developed an artificial intelligence-powered Bible study application to help users explore scripture, understand different Christian viewpoints and strengthen their faith.

Charl Marajh, who has more than two decades of experience in the information technology industry, created the Berean App after becoming interested in how people interpret the Bible.

The app was developed in South Africa and is available on Google Play, where hundreds of people are using it.

Marajh said the idea for the app came after visiting a church where he heard a teaching he disagreed with.

“I decided it would be nice actually to see why he believed that,” he said.

He said the experience made him think about how easily people can dismiss beliefs they do not understand.

“Some people don’t even know why they believe,” he said, recalling one person who explained that they attended a particular church simply because “my mother took me”.

He hopes the app can encourage people to look beyond denominational differences and understand why others believe what they do.

“I hope it will not only inspire people, but bring people closer to God,” Marajh said. “I hope it will create more understanding between different denominations.”

The Berean App brings together a range of Bible study resources in one platform. Users can ask questions in everyday language, explore different interpretations, cross-reference topics and study the historical and cultural background of Scripture.

The app also includes Bible study tools, timelines, maps and Hebrew and Greek resources. Users can explore biblical events on timelines and view biblical locations alongside modern maps.

Marajh has also incorporated the Ethiopian biblical canon and is working on additional resources, including an Afrikaans version of the Hebrew and Greek material. With South Africa’s many languages and Christian traditions, he hopes the app can also help overcome language barriers.

The app has since expanded its language support and is available in nine languages, making its resources accessible to a wider range of users.

Although the app is extensive, Marajh said modern artificial intelligence tools have made development more accessible.

“With AI integration, you can do so many things. It’s easier.”

The app took about three months to build, although getting it approved for publication required numerous changes to meet Google’s privacy, security and other requirements.

“It was re-boarded probably 48 times for Google to approve it,” he said.

The app has received limited advertising so far, but more than 200 users have downloaded it, with many providing feedback and suggestions for new features.

Marajh has continued developing the Berean App, particularly its prophecy resources. What began as a prophecy section covering passages from Daniel and Revelation has now grown into a more comprehensive Prophecy Explorer.

The Prophecy Explorer includes 31 prophecy topics, a prophecy timeline, scripture connections and prophecy chains, allowing users to follow prophetic themes and connections throughout scripture.

The app has also expanded beyond Bible study and prophecy with new biblical history and church history features.

These provide historical information about biblical events, Christian traditions and the development of different approaches to Christianity, further supporting Marajh’s goal of helping users understand the context behind what they believe.

For him, the project is about more than technology.

“I hope it will help people. I hope I will inspire people,” he said.

At 54, Marajh said he is proud to have created something meaningful from his home in South Africa.
“I think I hope to do something significant in life and do something good,” he said.

Ultimately, his vision is to put the resources people need to study the Bible independently in one place.

“Most of us don’t have the resources,” he said. “The idea is to put all the resources for you to study the Bible and to confirm what you believe in one place.”