The term Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken the technological world by storm in the last few years.
The technology, though not necessarily ‘new’, can organise meeting agendas, design both buildings and vehicles, produce illustrations, manage calendars, and formulate work schedules.
Additionally, AI is able to make businesses, educational entities, justice systems and even churches more efficient in their day-to-day functions. Though these functionalities have been around for many years, the advancement in the technology is now being sold to the public as a game-changing tool that will revolutionise how we learn, create and carry out tasks.
Importantly, with every new technological phenomenon, there are moral and ethical concerns regarding how it will be used, especially in nefarious ways that can be harmful to people.
The overreliance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a cause for concern. While we acknowledge the benefits of Artificial Intelligence in our daily lives, there are also some negative aspects.
There are some in academia who will argue that Artificial Intelligence is responsible for the erosion of critical thinking skills among students. AI apps and platforms are readily available to write essays and other educational papers without any form of research through traditional means of gleaning information. Others may see the use of the technology as a tool to improve on how students deliver their required submissions to teachers.
All that is necessary is for the user to place the prompt into the AI platform and the finished product is created within minutes.
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
However, the over dependence on Artificial Intelligence is more far reaching. One particular aspect of AI that needs some scrutiny is the infusion of Artificial Intelligence in the creation of religious sermons, in particular the Christian Church.
If you search the internet for ‘AI Sermons’ or AI Gospel Songs’, you will be presented with options to watch sermons and listen to gospel songs generated by Artificial Intelligence. While AI as a tool is useful in the church, the use of AI regarding the operations of ministries is cause for concern. Undoubtedly, there are ethical and moral concerns which must be addressed.
The intersection of the Holy Spirit and Artificial Intelligence needs to be interrogated. Are you among those who are uncomfortable with sermons made solely by Artificial Intelligence? This mechanical approach to writing sermons is a departure from the days when pastors would do their research in the Bible, using Concordances and seeking the face of God through prayer and meditation to arrive at a sermon.
We ought not to surrender our places of worship to Artificial Intelligence. Too many church services have become mechanical. At what point does the pastor allow for the Holy Spirit to take control? We are becoming slaves to Artificial Intelligence. The Bible clearly speaks to this troubling concept.
SPIRIT FREEDOM
Galatians 5:1:“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Here, Paul is warning against falling back into legalism. In contemporary societies we must be mindful of spiritual slavery and guarding ourselves against any device that will lead us along this troubling path.
Galatians 4:7: Believers are reminded that they are no longer “slaves” to the law or worldly systems, but “sons” and heirs through God.
Revelation 13:14 &15 speaks of the Antichrist and the empowerment of the false prophet that will attempt to legitimise the Anti-Christ. An overreliance on Artificial Intelligence paves the way for a doctrine of legalism within the church. Legalism involves an individual attempting to pursue his or her Christian life in their own strength, instead of relying on the supernatural grace God gives us through the Holy Spirit.
Disturbingly, some pastors clearly have no qualms about using AI to write their sermons. Equally disturbing is that some congregants do not have an issue sitting through a sermon that was AI generated.
Too many of us have become lukewarm. The Bible clearly addresses this in Revelation 3:15-16. In this passage, Jesus criticizes the church in Laodicea for being neither “hot nor cold”, but lukewarm. Jesus goes further by stating, because of this state, He will spit them out of His mouth. This passage of Scripture is very clear and instructional regarding God’s expectations of Christians.
As believers of Christ, we have no excuse to be lukewarm. The Holy Spirit will never leave a true believer. This is revealed in many passages in the New Testament. St. John 14:16 states: “And I will pray to the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.”
A SPIRIT OF DISCERNMENT
We believe that the pulpit should not be influenced by the use of AI to any extent in preparing sermons, in order to sustain biblical credibility and moral clarity. When Christianity teaches about authenticity, truth and being ethical in all our doings, an easy way out should not be an enticement to those among us who are called to preach the gospel.
It is also with that same breath that we call upon respected pastors, evangelists, missionaries and every Christian to be discerning of things that seek to deceive; presenting what seem to be sermons that are not biblically sound. As Christians, our obedience should be to God, not to a pastor and certainly not to AI.
Holiness and AI are incompatible. Where is the church’s spirit of discernment? Many of us have become too comfortable in our lukewarm nature. We need a collective awakening of the spirit of discernment. As Christians we should always remember the Gospel of St. Luke 12:48.
The idea of “to whom much is given, much will be required” is that we are held responsible for what we have. If we are blessed with talents, wealth, knowledge and time, it is expected that we use these attributes well to glorify God and benefit others.
OUTSOURCING THE GOSPEL
Wrestling with Scripture and prayer are central acts of spiritual discipline for a pastor. Outsourcing this process can lead to “spiritual muscle atrophy”, robbing the pastor of the personal transformation and conviction that must precede preaching.
Preaching is meant to be the proclamation of God’s Word through an authentic, Spirit-led, human witness. An AI has no soul, no moral framework, and cannot truly love a congregation or grasp the specific, urgent needs of a local community. An AI has no spirit of discernment. Having said this, members of the clergy must tread carefully when using AI to assist with their sermons.
AUTHENTIC PASTORAL VOICE OR TECHNOLOGICAL CONVENIENCE
Historically, the church has wrestled with infiltration whether through political power, cultural compromise or false prophets. Spiritual leaders must guard themselves from becoming conduits for Satan’s agenda. Deception often comes clothed in convenience and efficiency. Undoubtedly, AI covers both pillars. AI, when used without discernment, can become a conduit for shallow teaching, detached from the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
The role of spiritual leaders must always side with being shepherds of truth. While it is very tempting, spiritual leaders must refrain from outsourcing discernment to tools such as AI that cannot embody faith, conviction or lived experiences. When pastors rely too heavily on AI sermons, the church risk becoming hallow and void of the Holy Spirit and this should be concerning for all Christians.
We must guard ourselves against the spiritual corruption of AI on our pulpits. Many within and even outside the church will continue this debate. However, those who are leaders in the church will be held at a higher standard.
Lest we forget, Artificial Intelligence is fallible.
– Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and/or gender issues; and Kurt Hickling is a former educator who now works with the Charlotte Area Transit System. Email feedback to waykam@yahoo.com, kurthickling@gmail.com, and columns@gleanerjm.com. ONLINE ONLY COMMENTARY.
