Like many schools, we at Singapore Bible College have been dealing with issues surrounding ChatGPT. But in addition to the challenges and opportunities surrounding the educational processes, an added issue that was raised was “Can we ask ChatGPT to write sermons?” – and yes, ChatGPT can write “good” sermons!
So what issues are involved in answering this question?
First and foremost, one must discern the role of the Holy Spirit in the sermon preparation process. Though ChatGPT can generate a sermon (for example, ask “write me a three-point sermon on discipleship from Luke 9:23), and even though it may sound good, it is only a regurgitation of whatever databases it has been fed. Using ChatGPT thus excludes the Holy Spirit’s work in the preacher to integrate what is happening in the church with God’s Word (versus database) and speak into the life of the congregation. Of course, the Holy Spirit can still directly impact hearers by convicting hearts, but half the communication process has been relegated to AI.
Herein lies the problem: “AI,” artificial intelligence, is not authentic and relational. In truth, when we leave the nurture of faith to AI, we are leaving the process to the whims of the programmer’s algorithms.
Sadly, the discussion of ChatGPT reveals how many Christians today have allowed AI to insidiously distort their faith. Many have allowed their social media AIs to cater content to their own likes and dislikes. It is what apostle Paul warns against in 2 Timothy 4:3-4: “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
In the age of AI, all Christians, not just preachers, must heed the apostle John’s warning to not “believe every spirit (AI), but to test the spirits (AIs) to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).
Personal quiet times to attune yourself to the Holy Spirit’s voice, a deepening knowledge of Scripture, and a diverse, interactive Christian community serve as safeguards to keep us in God’s will. Take heed of 2 Timothy 3:16-4:2. May the Spirit preserve you safely in the Lord!

- from Singapore, Pastor Sam