- THX 1138
Regards,
Posted on 09/20/2024 6:39:12 PM PDT by MNDude
Tisa Wenger, a professor of American religious history at Yale Divinity School, had her students prompt ChatGPT to write a sermon in the language of Joranna Lee, a 19th-century preacher in the AME Church, then critique the output. Wenger found the exercise was good for teaching the limitations of ChatGPT more than its benefits, and for testing the students’ knowledge of the material for all the details ChatGPT did not include or got wrong.
“Students really loved that exercise, and they really did a great job of unpacking them. In fact, we felt like their resulting papers were more creative,” said Wenger. “We’ve now done that for three years in a row.”
In many traditions, clergy are already considered to have a writing partner in the Holy Spirit. If AI is helping out, is there still space for the Spirit to move the preacher as it pleases?
Yes, said several homiletics professors. “I think the Spirit can move through the sermon crafting process. If AI is one conversation partner among many (and not used simply to spit out a sermon), I suspect the Spirit can move through preachers who are engaging the tool,” said Hannan. Whether the Spirit can inspire AI directly, she said, is questionable.
(Excerpt) Read more at churchleaders.com ...
this is SOO wrong! I remember talking to a guy a year ago and he said he knew a pastor that was using AI to make his sermons.
Really? People are going to sit and get inspiration from something cranked out by a freaking machine?
Wenger found the exercise was good for teaching the limitations of ChatGPT more than its benefits, and for testing the students’ knowledge of the material for all the details ChatGPT did not include or got wrong.
of course.
Soon there will be the AI-Christ that will promise us everything in the world and lead mankind into an unparalleled time of peace and prosperity
How does that work? A guy who doesn’t believe it, reading something written by a machine that doesn’t believe it.
Well, the first problem is anyone attending Yale Divinity School.
It can write millions, soulless all!
This was my initial thought. Can AI write a sermon? Well sure. AI can write anything.
The real question is can AI write a Biblically-sound sermon that makes sense and isn’t a bunch of garbled nonsense, and that will impact the hearts and minds of the faithful? I kinda doubt that’s the case, to be honest.
God is in the business of using His faithful servants to bring His message to Hos people. I doubt seriously soulless AI is factored into the equation.
I’ve used AI to compose Bible Classes. But I rewrite and rephrase them in my own words. I then add more Bible verses and points and delete many AI points.
This is about the same as using many books and authors for ideas while adding and subtracting valid points.
I don’t know about sermons, but I am convinced that Hallmark movie scripts are AI-generated.
Persuse later.
[Seminaries Prompt Students To Ask: Can AI Write a Sermon?]
No. Very bad idea.
Well-stated.
Man
6
- THX 1138
Regards,
AI’s Pappy is spell-check. Yeah. How’s that working out?
The same squibby dorks writing the google search engine algorithms are doing much of the crafting of the AI scaffold, so the result is going to be horrifying in the same way as is finding a human finger deep-fried in your Chicken McNuggets.
AI is solid, 24 carat fools-gold layered over an old reel of celluloid film (yeah - the kind of film that went KA-BOOM every so often).
After I retired I was listening to a young preacher and I knew he wasn't prepared. He clearly downloaded his sermon off the internet (he projected it via Powerpoint). Shortly before he got fired, he neglected to delete the web source at the bottom of the page. "Sermons-R-Us" or some such.
AI isn't cheating any more than downloading some preacher's sermon outline.
Any sermon template from any source is fine ... as long as the preacher still puts in the time to make it his own.
"Good morning, friends! I have to confess something...I asked ChatGPT to help me write this sermon today. Don’t worry, though—I made sure to keep it biblical. You know, when I first told my computer to 'spread the Word,' it emailed me a receipt from Microsoft! Ok maybe the jokes will be better after the next upgrade. But seriously, I know a lot of you have profound concerns about technology and its impact on, well, pretty much every aspect of our lives, including how we share our faith.
Let’s begin with a Scripture Reading:
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." - James 1:5 (NKJV)
Notice that’s James—not James T. Kirk! But seriously folks, today I want to speak to you about a tool that is often met with wonder, curiosity, bad Star Trek jokes—and sometimes fear—artificial intelligence. AI is increasingly becoming a part of our lives, and, like any tool, it can be used for great good or great harm. The question I want to explore today is this: can AI be used effectively to help us share the Word of God? And, in particular, can it be used to write biblically sound sermons?
This is not a question to be answered lightly, but I believe that if we look to Scripture, we can find wisdom for how we think about and use technology—even technology as advanced as AI.
The Bible teaches us that true wisdom comes from God alone. James 1:5 tells us that if anyone lacks wisdom, we are to ask God, who gives generously. Proverbs 2:6 also says, *“For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”* Therefore, any tool we use must be seen through the lens of God's wisdom.
When we think of AI, we must remember that all knowledge and wisdom are God's domain. While AI might process data and provide suggestions or even craft language, it is not the source of wisdom—God is. When we understand AI as a tool that can help illuminate Scripture or organize our thoughts, we are merely drawing from the wisdom God has already given to humanity.
God has always allowed His people to use tools for His glory. In Exodus 31:2-6, God speaks of Bezalel and Oholiab, whom He filled with His Spirit to create artistic works for the Tabernacle. These craftsmen were given skills and knowledge from God to build a place of worship that reflected His holiness and beauty.
Similarly, when Paul the Apostle was writing his letters, he used the technology of his day—parchment, ink, and the Roman road system—to spread the gospel throughout the known world. He didn't reject the tools available to him but used them to further God's kingdom.
In the same way, if we have the opportunity to use AI to assist in crafting sermons or providing insights into Scripture, we should view it as another tool in God's hands. We are called to be wise stewards of what is available to us, always discerning and always seeking to glorify God through our use of technology.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:21, Paul advises, *"Test all things; hold fast what is good."* This is our guide for using AI in writing sermons or any other form of ministry. AI is not a replacement for the Holy Spirit’s guidance or for our study of the Word of God. Rather, it can be seen as an assistant that helps us, much like a concordance, a commentary, or a study Bible.
We must test what is produced by AI against the truths of Scripture and the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Does it align with God's Word? Does it glorify Christ? Does it edify the body of believers? These are the questions we must ask as we use any tool for ministry. When AI is used in this way, it becomes not a replacement for prayerful preparation but a supplement to it, aiding us as we seek to bring God's Word to life for His people.
No matter how advanced our tools become, the message of the gospel remains the same. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 2:2, *“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”* Our technology may change, our methods may improve, but our message remains unchanged—the saving work of Jesus Christ.
Using AI to craft a sermon should never overshadow the centrality of the gospel. It is merely a means to help us communicate clearly, accurately, and compellingly. Just as we use microphones to project our voices, AI can be used to project God’s truth more effectively. But it is not the sermon itself that changes lives—it is the Spirit of God working through His Word. Our reliance is not on the tool, but on the God who speaks through His Word.
AI can be a powerful tool for ministry if used wisely and with discernment. It can help us organize our thoughts, research Scriptures, and even suggest ways to communicate more effectively. But we must always remember that the power of the sermon does not come from our technology, but from the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Let us then approach AI, and any other tool, with humility, gratitude, and discernment. Let us ask God for wisdom as we seek to proclaim His truth in a world that is constantly changing. And let us always keep the gospel at the center of all that we do as we try to, well…live long and prosper on your creation.
I always like to close my AI sermons with a bad Star Trek joke. and a thoughtful prayer. Please join me.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the tools and resources You have given us to share Your Word. Help us to use them wisely and with discernment, always seeking to glorify You and make Your truth known. Guide us as we seek to share the gospel effectively in our generation. May Your Spirit lead us, and may we always seek to hold fast to what is good and true. In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.
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