Some faith leaders are using AI to write sermons, with 12% of senior Protestant clergy comfortable using AI for this purpose. Clergy members are grappling with the ethical implications of using AI to create sermons, questioning the origin of the message. AI can generate sermons quickly, as demonstrated by Pastor Naomi Sease Carriker, who used ChatGPT to create a 900-word sermon. Denominations are providing general guidelines on AI use, but specific rules are often lacking, leaving clergy to navigate the ethical considerations.
5 months ago
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in sermon preparation and delivery is emerging as a significant topic within religious communities, prompting ethical debates among clergy and theologians 1. An online survey conducted by Barna Group indicated that 12% of senior Protestant clergy are comfortable using AI to write sermons, while 43% see its merits for sermon preparation and research 1.
Some clergy, like Pastor Naomi Sease Carriker, have experimented with AI tools such as ChatGPT, finding that they can quickly generate well-structured sermon drafts 1. While acknowledging the efficiency, Carriker also expressed a feeling that using AI for a full sermon "feels wrong," though she now uses it to start drafts or craft conclusions 1. This reflects a broader ethical question: does the origin of a sermon matter if its purpose is to convey a holy message and connect with congregants' hearts 1?
Major denominations have begun to address AI, though their guidelines often remain general rather than prescriptive for sermon writing 1. The Southern Baptist Convention advises using AI with "utmost care and discernment," emphasizing the unique nature of humanity 1. Similarly, the Vatican urges careful use to promote human progress and the common good 1. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints comes closest to addressing sermon content, suggesting that AI-generated material could be used with proper attribution 1.
Critics raise several concerns regarding AI's place in the pulpit. Theologian Brad East argues that the church operates on a millennial timescale, suggesting caution before widespread adoption of rapidly evolving technology 1. He believes that the "drudgery" of personal scripture study and sermon preparation is integral to a pastor's vocation, asserting that clergy should not preach from texts they haven't personally studied 1. Pastor Paul Hoffman and Rabbi Daniel Bogard highlight AI's inability to comprehend lived human experiences, such as personal tragedies or complex relationships, which are often central to pastoral care and sermon relevance 1. Practical issues also exist, including AI's potential to fabricate biblical quotations, its significant environmental impact, and the difficulty of assessing long-term implications due to its rapid evolution 1.
Conversely, some clergy and experts view AI as a valuable tool rather than a replacement for human connection. Anthropologist Beth Singler notes that religions have historically adapted to new technologies, from the printing press to digital advancements 1. Proponents suggest AI can access and synthesize far more sources than any single human, potentially enriching sermon content 1. Furthermore, using AI for initial drafts or research could free up clergy time, allowing them to prioritize essential pastoral care, counseling, or bedside visits 1. Rabbi Daniel Bogard, who teaches other rabbis about AI, likens its use in text study to "chavrutah," a traditional Talmudic practice where partners debate texts to deepen understanding, suggesting AI can facilitate a new form of intellectual engagement 1.
Is authentic religious authority derived from artificial intelligence?
Authentic religious authority is not derived from artificial intelligence (AI). Catholic teaching emphasizes that religious authority originates from Christ and is entrusted to specific human representatives within the Church, not to technological systems , .
The Church's understanding of authority is rooted in the following principles:
In summary, while AI can process vast amounts of information and assist in various fields, it lacks the inherent dignity, spiritual authority, and capacity for moral judgment that are essential for authentic religious authority, which is divinely instituted and exercised by human persons within the Church's hierarchical structure , , , , .