A preacher recently told me, "Barry, you do realize that some preachers are using AI to build their sermons, don’t you?" His question recalls Jeremiah’s situation.
The prophet Jeremiah encountered a self-perpetuating problem. Faulty religious teachers reinforced their group’s consensus by stealing words from each other! (Jeremiah 23:30-31). Thus erroneous messages proclaimed in the name of the Lord echoed back and forth among them as they shared and listened to one another’s dreams (Jeremiah 23:25-27).
This scenario confronted Jeremiah with two problems. First, others were espousing false religious teaching. Second, a self-reinforcing inbreeding dynamic existed.
As for this latter problem, does it not continue unabated in our day? For example, do not those of various religious camps or perspectives produce and listen to their own ideas thereby reinforcing their group’s convictions? Â From seminars to books, many will gravitate to their own camp’s resources.
What do these thoughts have to do with AI? Because of AI’s speed, its synthesis of a vast range of information and authoritative sounding output, the inbreeding of ideas has, at least potentially, found a new tool. Depending upon the user, AI can contribute to laziness. However, both preachers and congregants ought to examine ideas and hold onto the good (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
In my understanding, two AI principles suggest pause when it comes to the Bible. First, their algorithms tend to identify what is commonly held to be true by respected authorities. Have respected voices been wrong on spiritual matters in the past? To what degree do current popular ideas and the spirit of the age influence AI’s output?
Second, AI algorithms will likely gain information about the user in order to supply what the user desires to hear. Â If these two principles accurately describe AI, is AI a reliable methodology for crafting sermons and classes?
A simple thought experiment assists in critiquing this situation. Imagine AI was available during the time of the crusades, the Enlightenment or any other distinctive era. How might spiritual messages generated at those times differ from one another?
To be sure, AI can summarize and make available a vast range of information. This is a helpful research tool. However, should preachers and teachers dare dispense with their own careful study to accept artificial intelligence’s sermons and lessons?
I once read an old German proverb states, "Those who marry the spirit of the age will soon be a widower."
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