With the rapid growth and dramatic advancements in AI technology—now embedded in social media platforms (X has Grok, Facebook/Meta has Llama, etc.), word processing apps (Apple Pages has Apple Intelligence, Microsoft’s Mule, and so on), and a flood of AI-driven image manipulation, editing, and raw generation—we must take a serious and critical look at what AI is. More importantly, we need to examine the intellectual, moral, and deeper spiritual implications of its use.

When early versions of AI, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT, were first released, I took a brief look out of curiosity. At the time, I was utterly unimpressed but had a creeping concern for what AI could become. However, many people fail to realize that AI is not a completely new creation. Major tech companies, from Google to Apple and Microsoft, have been using AI precursors for decades. Retail giants like Walmart (one of the earliest developers of what is now known as AI), Amazon, and others have utilized computer-driven “learning” for years to manage inventory, labor scheduling, and logistics. Most internet users have interacted with proto-AI technology in search engines (Google Search, DuckDuckGo, Bing, etc.) and preference tracking systems—where one’s browsing behavior is monitored and used to manipulate marketing strategies. Some of us have even experienced the eerie phenomenon of discussing a topic in person, only to later see advertisements related to that conversation. While early AI iterations were primarily data-driven with pattern recognition, today’s AI is far more advanced and intrusive.

Now, AI is being aggressively marketed as a tool to simplify life and unlock new creative possibilities. However, with these advancements come new dangers, particularly in the realm of deception and moral corruption. Educational institutions are scrambling to establish policies to address AI usage. As a trustee of a seminary, I have seen the necessity of acknowledging AI’s positive applications, such as grammar and spellcheck—functions that have existed for decades—or even as a research assistant. However, AI-generated writing is treated as plagiarism, and detecting it is becoming increasingly difficult as AI models grow more sophisticated. This field will only become more complex and harder to regulate.

The Deceptive Power of AI

Many of us have seen—and possibly been fooled by—AI-generated images that are nearly indistinguishable from reality. These range from altered photos of celebrities to completely fabricated historical events. More alarmingly, AI-generated deepfake videos are being used for defamation and could soon be presented as false evidence in legal cases. When technology is used to deceive, can we agree that this AI evolution is dangerous?

Social media is saturated with AI-generated content, often disguised as art or creative expression. However, an increasing amount of it is designed to manipulate and mislead. I’ve witnessed users unknowingly sharing propaganda and outright lies, failing to fact-check their sources. The widespread deception should deeply concern us.

AI and the Church

How does AI intersect with Christianity, ministry, and our witness to the world? One thing is certain: we must pray and exercise deep discernment. For some, AI is merely a tool for marketing and communication. I know a pastor who uses AI to help manage his schedule and stay accountable in ministry.

However, consider the recent report of a church in Finland that generated an entire service using AI—including composing music, writing the sermon, and producing visuals with a digital figure “preaching.” This wasn’t the first instance; a church in Fürth, Germany, did the same in 2023 using ChatGPT. Shouldn’t this alarm us? Shouldn’t this raise red flags? Absolutely. But these overt AI-driven services are not the most concerning issue.

A more subtle and widespread danger is AI’s use in sermon preparation. In the past, we saw issues with pulpit plagiarism, where pastors paid companies like Docent Research Group (used by figures such as J.D. Greear and Ed Litton) to write sermons for them. Others, without large budgets, simply preached another pastor’s sermon as their own. While quoting and crediting others is one thing, presenting another’s work as one’s own is dishonest and spiritually dangerous. Now, AI is being used to generate sermons, and many pastors are delivering these machine-written messages from the pulpit.

AI can produce a biblically accurate, well-organized sermon, but it lacks something crucial: the biblical authority and work of the Holy Spirit. Preaching is not merely the transmission of information—it is a calling that requires deep study, prayer, and spiritual preparation. AI cannot discern the specific needs of a congregation or be led by the Spirit to apply God’s Word effectively.

The Proper Use of AI

I recently revisited AI, partly to understand its growing influence and partly to explore its potential as a tool for writing and research. I found it both helpful and unsettling. For example, AI can analyze my writing, highlight key themes, and reveal whether my intended message is clear. If the AI detects different points than I meant to convey, that signals a need for revision—similar to feedback in a writing class. Additionally, AI can check spelling, grammar, sentence structure, and even tone, making suggestions based on specific criteria. Used rightly, these features can enhance clarity and effectiveness in communication.

However, AI should never replace the hard work of biblical study, prayer, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. I recall an experiment where AI was fed the complete works of a famous composer and tasked with generating an original composition in his style. While impressive, it was still an imitation—lacking the heart and soul of the original artist. Similarly, God’s method of communication has always been through direct revelation, divinely inspired Scripture, and Spirit-led preaching. The faithful preparation and proclamation of God’s Word cannot be outsourced to artificial intelligence.

Certainly, AI can be used to communicate truth, but without the Spirit’s leading, it becomes a hollow exercise. AI does not know the unique struggles of a congregation, nor does it possess the wisdom to apply Scripture to human hearts. Worse still, AI algorithms are designed by fallible humans with inherent biases. The more AI-driven “church” services grow, the more concerned we should be.

What Should the Church Do?

Should churches outright ban AI, dismissing it as a worldly influence with no place in ministry? Or should pastors leverage AI for constructive purposes—such as scheduling assistance, streamlining communication, facility management, or improving sermon organization without compromising integrity?

Many of us recall the skepticism surrounding the internet when it first became widely available. Some churches resisted building websites or engaging with social media. Decades ago, only well-funded churches could broadcast their sermons, but today, any congregation can share biblical teaching worldwide at minimal cost. The same caution and discernment that guided those decisions should apply to AI.

Final Thoughts

AI is a tool—nothing more. Pastors, use it as a tool. Do not delegate sermon writing to AI (or to a paid service). The pulpit carries eternal responsibility, and preaching must be bathed in prayer, diligent study, and dependence on the Holy Spirit.

AI can help with organization, grammar, and research, making a pastor more effective and freeing up time for other ministry needs. But it must never replace the personal, Spirit-led work of preparing and delivering God’s Word. If AI can serve your administrative tasks, use it wisely. But above all, remember: preaching is a divine calling, requiring integrity, sincerity, and faithfulness for the glory of God.