Dear ChatGPT: Write a Christ Over All Intermission article that bridges the gap between the challenges of Artificial Intelligence and an importance of reading great books. Oh, and, throw in a few notes about the upcoming Southern Baptist Convention.
This is the prompt I pasted into Open AI’s ChatGPT, and in less than 30 seconds, it hammered out an article titled, “Navigating AI, Literature, and the Southern Baptist Convention.” In six paragraphs, it cobbled together thoughts related to the Southern Baptist Convention and the challenges posed by AI. In another edition, with the same prompt, it posted a different article, complete with references to Flannery O’Connor and C.S. Lewis. (Maybe ChatGPT was sourcing Joe Rigney’s longform that kicks off our new month!)
Such are the possibilities of using AI to enhance productivity and to meet deadlines. Indeed, if you compare the date of this Intermission to those of other months, you will notice this one is late. While traveling to Indianapolis to attend graduation at Indianapolis Theological Seminary and then returning home to preach and help lead a members meeting, my schedule did not permit writing this monthly column until today.
But if I had tinkered with ChatGPT, I might have been able to put something together which would have met the deadline. But the question comes back: At what cost?
What is the cost of speeding up productivity, if it outsources creativity and literary competence? If using tools like ChatGPT makes writing more efficient, is it worth the cost if our writing becomes more dependent on outside tools? And what of the wisdom of soaking in old books and writing from a heart filled with knowledge acquired through cogitation, meditation, prayer, and persistence? If AI spits out spiritual counsel, is it really from the Holy Spirit?
These questions, which only engage a sliver of AI’s offerings, illustrate some of new challenges facing Christians, churches, and culture today. Indeed, with the introduction of ChatGPT in the fall of 2022, content creation has entered a new phase. And for the last month, Christ Over All, has asked the question: What Has God Wrought?
Because all things in creation are sovereignly ordained by God, we believe that the advances of AI are a part of a world that God intends to subdue and rule for his glory. But as Jeremy Peckham asked in his book, and as we discussed in our podcast with him, is the advent of AI a master or a servant? What is the impact of AI on humanity? And what are the chances that the tool invented by men becomes a master over humanity?
These are important questions and ones that intelligent Christians need to answer. To that end you can find a host of answers in the articles listed below.
What Has God Wrought? Artificial Intelligence and Our Brave New World
Whatever Comes, Get Wisdom: AI, the Future, and Our Chief End by Owen Anderson • Concise Article • Is AI good or bad? Like any tool it depends on how you use it. And for us to know how we should use it, we must first understand our chief end.
A Christian’s Perspective on Artificial Intelligence by Dustin Ryan • Longform Essay • Artificial Intelligence is changing the world we live in. In fact, you likely use AI every day already. What does this new technology mean for Christians?
3.22 “A Christian’s Perspective on Artificial Intelligence” by Dustin Ryan • Podcast Reading • Artificial Intelligence is changing the world we live in. In fact, you likely use AI every day already. What does this new technology mean for Christians?
Viral “AI Demon” Says More about Ourselves Than Anything Else by Hannah Tu • Concise Article • Our art reflects our worldview, and this is just as true for AI generated images as it is for any other art form.
Artificial Intelligence and the Problem of Personality by Jared Bridges • Concise Article • As AI continues to develop and mimic more and more aspects of human personality, we must remember all the more what is real.
An Excerpt from Jeremy Peckham’s Masters or Slaves? AI and the Future of Humanity by Jeremy Peckham • Concise Article • While technology is a tool that can be used for either good or bad, that does not mean that technology is neutral in its effect on people.
3.23 “A Christian’s Perspective on Artificial Intelligence” by Dustin Ryan, David Schrock, Stephen Wellum • Podcast Interview • Listen in as Dustin Ryan joins David Schrock and Stephen Wellum to discuss his longform essay “A Christian’s Perspective on Artificial Intelligence.”
The Dangers of Artificial Intelligence to Theology: A Comprehensive Analysis by Aidan Isaacs • Concise Article • What dangers exist at the intersection of artificial intelligence and theology? We’ve asked someone on the inside.
The Tower of Babel and the Ideology of AI by Daniel Cochrane • Concise Article • What can we learn from Babel regarding technology in the modern world?
Can I Upload My Consciousness into the Body of a Dog?: Thinking Biblically About AI-Enhanced Human Futures by Anton Brown • Concise Article • Does the biblical storyline speak to the possibility of merging one’s consciousness with another body? What has Christianity to do with transhumanism and AI?
Artificial Intelligence (AI): Tool, Image Bearer, or Temptation? by Mike Kirby and Matthew Emadi • Longform Essay • What is the historical background of AI, and how should we use this technology today?
3.24 “Artificial Intelligence (AI): Tool, Image Bearer, or Temptation?” by Mike Kirby and Matthew Emadi • Podcast Reading • What is the historical background of AI, and how should we use this technology today?
Why AI Pornography Is Far More Dangerous than Yesterday’s Porn by Jacob Valk • Concise Article • While AI pornography may not portray real people, it is no less sinful and destructive. In fact, it poses even greater danger.
Use AI For the Sake of Good Work by Thomas Dodds • Concise Article • When used rightly, AI is a powerful tool in the service of human craftsmanship. Yet, the use of AI poses dangers as well. It takes wisdom to wield this tool well.
3.25 “Artificial Intelligence (AI): Tool, Image Bearer, or Temptation?” by Mike Kirby, David Schrock, Stephen Wellum • Podcast Interview • Listen in as Mike Kirby joins David Schrock and Stephen Wellum to discuss the longform essay “Artificial Intelligence (AI): Tool, Image Bearer, Or Temptation?” which he co-authored with Matthew Emadi.
AI as Theological Babel Fish by David Attebury • Concise Article • The writings of many godly men remain inaccessible to most in the church today, hidden behind a language barrier. AI is beginning to change that.
“Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste”: AI, Statism, and the Threats to Free Speech by John Avery • Concise Article • President Ronald Reagan famously quipped that the nine most terrifying words in the English language are: “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.” When it comes to regulating AI, we should heed this warning.
3.26 “Masters or Slaves: AI and the Future of Humanity” by Jeremy Peckham, Daniel Cochrane, David Schrock • Podcast Interview • Listen in as the author of Masters or Slaves: AI and the Future of Humanity, Jeremy Peckham, and Daniel Cochrane join David Schrock for a biblical discussion on AI.
Imitating Christ in an Age of AI by Jeremy Peckham • Concise Article • AI is not merely a passive tool in our hands. It shapes us, for better or for worse.
Great Books Throughout The Ages: Works That Have Stood the Test of Time
If the introduction of Generative AI is a pressing concern today, one way to combat its negative effects is to slow-down, unplug, and read the great books. As it has become well-known, the giants of Silicon Valley have maintained a low-tech regimen for their own children. They knew that the development of the mind, which has created various technologies, needs to be cultivated. And faithful Christians know the same thing, and this is why wherever the gospel has gone, education has gone with it.
While countless universities have left their Christian foundations, the fact remains: Christians are a people of the Book and we love great books. Fulfilling the Great Commission means making disciples and teaching them to obey all that Christ has commanded. This of course centers the Christian life on the biblical canon. But it also means cultivating the life of the mind by reading (or listening to) books that have stood the test of time. And that is our focus this month.
From the Bible to the Huxley’s Brave New World, from Augustine to Anselm, and from C.S. Lewis to Samuel Rutherford’s Lex Rex, we are going to introduce and engage close to 20 books this month. Most will be Christian, but not all. Many will be works of theology, but not entirely. In a far from exhaustive undertaking, we hope to stimulate interest in reading the great, old books. And we have recruited a wide range of historians, theologians, and pastors to offer their reflections.
So, join us for a month of great books. At a time when modern technology presses into a fast-paced future, we want to continue to slow down and appreciate the evergreen literature of the past. For only as we hold fast to the best literature of the past will we be able to evaluate all the technological advances of our day. Truly, by connecting the past (great, old books) with the future (AI technology) we will be able to live most faithfully in the present.
That is our aim, and why we put Great Books after Artificial Intelligence. So, stay tuned all month.
On the SBC and Other Happenings
Finally, as we enter June, Christ Over All is planning for the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. As we noted in March, the issue of confessional cooperation is at the center of this year’s meeting. And at issue is the ratification of Mike Law’s amendment, which would add language to the SBC constitution clarifying the role of pastor. As the SBC Amendment website puts it,
Our goal is to amend the SBC constitution in Article 3, Paragraph 1 to read, “. . . a church [is] in friendly cooperation with the Convention . . . which . . . 6. Affirms, appoints, or employs only men as any kind of pastor or elder as qualified by Scripture.
This language would provide clarification for the Credentials Committee as they consider which churches are in friendly cooperation with the SBC. In recent years, it has become evident that hundreds of churches employ thousands of female pastors. And thus, those churches are out of alignment with the Baptist Faith and Message. And this amendment would provide the needed clarification and ensure that the SBC continues to abide by God’s Word with respect to the office of pastor/elder/overseer.
Going back to last March, Christ Over All has tried to assist in this effort as we have offered biblical arguments for the Law Amendment. Certainly, we are not only concerned with the SBC, but as this convention plays an oversized role in influencing churches across America and the world, we are praying and laboring to see any drift in the SBC thwarted.
And to that end, we are handing out Joe Rigney’s new book, Leadership and Emotional Sabotage, at the SBC. If you are not familiar with this book, you can listen to our interview with Joe Rigney and Michael Carlino, as the latter applied Joe’s book to the SBC. Equally, you can partner with us, and Founders Ministries, to provide this book for SBC attendees. For $10 you can provide four books. Or you can join us on Monday night at the SBC as we hand out books, hear from Mike Law, and sing gospel hymns together.
These are the current events going on with Christ Over All. And we hope to see many of you in Indianapolis.
Additionally, we hope to see many of you at our next Video Call. On Friday, June 28 at 12 noon (EST) we will get together to discuss the theme of the month. Additionally, we are happy to discuss any other questions you might have as well. Sign up here to join us for the call.
Finally, Christ Over All depends upon thoughtful contributions of faithful writers. At present, we have our next four months filled out (in bold), but we are beginning to plan for the end of the year (in italics). If you are interested in writing something on an area of research or interest, please share your idea with us. Or, if you have a topic we should consider, please share that too.
July – Beware of Greek’s Bearing Gifts: Plundering Plato without Becoming a Platonist
August – Getting into the Book of Hebrews
September – Voting to the Glory of God
October – Today’s Leviathan: Globalism, Environmentalism, Big Ed, and Totalitarianism
November – The Kingdom of God
December –Handel’s Messiah
In all, we continue to give thanks to God for the grace he has given to us in this ministry. And we pray it continues to be a blessing and benefit to you. As you are helped by the resources here, please share them with others. And remember, Christ is Lord over all, and so in all things let us exalt Christ.