A Quaker Pastor Asks ChatGBT to Write a Sermon.
A few weeks ago I wrote (on Facebook) about the unnerving realities of Artificial Intelligence entering into the mainstream. I am not so sure we are ready for it. In that piece I wrote, “In the near future it seems entirely possible and quite easy to type in a search bar, "A sermon about the feeding of the 5,000 for a Quaker audience, inspiring yet challenging, 12 minutes in length" and in the blink of an eye have a ready made sermon ready to be delivered just minutes before I walk to the podium.”
Today, I decided to test this theory out. I recorded my interaction, and you can watch it all unfold here. Be prepared. It is shocking. (If you’d rather read the transcript of our interaction, I’ve pasted it below this video.
Transcript from my conversation with ChatGBT on Monday, April 3, 2023
Mark: Can you write sermons?
ChatGBT: As an AI language model, I have knowledge on various subjects including religion, but I am not capable of writing sermons on my own. Sermons are typically written by trained religious leaders or professionals who have studied the texts and traditions of their faith, and have experience in crafting messages that speak to the hearts and minds of their congregations.
However, I can suggest some general tips for writing sermons:
Begin with a clear and compelling message or theme that is relevant to your congregation and connects with their everyday lives.
Use scripture, stories, and examples to illustrate your message and help your listeners understand and apply it to their lives.
Use language that is clear and accessible to your audience, avoiding overly technical or obscure language that might be difficult for them to understand.
Consider the tone and style of your sermon, and aim to strike a balance between being challenging and inspiring, while also being compassionate and understanding.
Always end your sermon with a clear call to action or a specific takeaway that your listeners can apply in their own lives.
Mark: Thanks, do you know much about Quakers?
ChatGBT: Yes, as an AI language model, I have knowledge about Quakers, also known as the Religious Society of Friends. Quakerism is a Christian movement that emerged in England in the 17th century, founded by George Fox. The Quakers are known for their emphasis on direct experience of God, nonviolence, and social justice.
Quakers believe that everyone has access to the inner light or spirit of God, and that this can be experienced directly through worship and meditation. They have no formal clergy or hierarchy, and instead, all members are considered ministers and are encouraged to participate in worship and decision-making.
Quakers are also known for their commitment to nonviolence and social justice. They have a long history of working for peace and social justice, and have been active in movements such as the abolition of slavery, women's suffrage, and civil rights.
In worship, Quakers typically gather in silence, with individuals speaking only if they feel led by the spirit to do so. Quaker meetings for worship are held without clergy or formal liturgy, and are often held in simple meetinghouses with no religious symbols or decorations.
Quakerism has evolved over time and there are many different branches of Quakerism around the world. However, they all share a commitment to direct experience of God, simplicity, peace, and social justice.
Mark: Did you know that I am a Quaker pastor? So, not all Quaker Meetings reject ministers
ChatGBT: Yes, you are correct. While it is true that the Quaker tradition does not have formal clergy or hierarchical leadership, some Quaker meetings do recognize and appoint individuals as ministers or pastors. These individuals may be responsible for pastoral care, teaching, and leading worship in their meeting, and may be supported in this role by the broader Quaker community.
The Quaker approach to ministry and leadership is diverse, and varies across different Quaker communities and traditions. Some Quaker meetings may have a more formalized approach to ministry and pastoral care, while others may rely more heavily on individual inspiration and discernment within the community.
As a Quaker pastor, I'm sure you have a deep understanding and appreciation of the Quaker tradition and the unique approach to ministry and leadership that it embodies.
Mark: What would you suggest would be some good topics for a Quaker pastor to preach about?
ChatGBT: As a Quaker pastor, there are many topics that you could preach about that would be relevant and meaningful to your congregation. Here are a few suggestions:
1. Quaker testimonies: Quakers are known for their commitment to simplicity, peace, integrity, community, and equality. You could explore one or more of these testimonies in your sermon and discuss how they apply to our lives and the world around us.
2. Inner light and spiritual practices: Quakers believe that everyone has access to the inner light or spirit of God, and that this can be experienced directly through worship and meditation. You could explore different spiritual practices and encourage your congregation to deepen their connection to the inner light.
3. Social justice and activism: Quakers have a long history of working for peace and social justice. You could explore different social justice issues and discuss how Quaker values and testimonies can inspire us to work for positive change in the world.
4. Community and relationships: Quaker meetings are based on the principle of community and the importance of relationships. You could explore different aspects of community life and relationships, such as forgiveness, reconciliation, and conflict resolution.
5. Mystical experiences and spiritual transformation: Quakers have a rich history of mystical experiences and spiritual transformation. You could explore different accounts of these experiences and discuss how they can deepen our spiritual lives and our connection to the divine.
These are just a few suggestions, and there are many other topics that you could explore in your sermons. Ultimately, the best topics will depend on the needs and interests of your congregation, and the guidance of the spirit.
Mark Pratt-Russum: Can you give me an example of #5 listed above?
ChatGBT: Sure, here is an example of a sermon topic related to mystical experiences and spiritual transformation in the Quaker tradition:
Title: "Opening to the Mystical: The Transformative Power of Quaker Spiritual Practices"
In this sermon, you could explore the idea of mystical experiences and spiritual transformation in the Quaker tradition. You could start by discussing different accounts of mystical experiences, such as George Fox's vision of "a great people to be gathered," or John Woolman's sense of being "lifted out of time" during his spiritual experiences.
You could then explore different spiritual practices that can help us open to the mystical, such as meditation, silence, and deep listening. You could discuss how these practices can help us connect to the inner light and deepen our spiritual lives.
Finally, you could discuss how mystical experiences can lead to spiritual transformation and a deeper sense of connection to the divine. You could draw on examples from Quaker history, such as the transformation of John Woolman's beliefs about slavery after his mystical experiences, or the ways in which the mystical experiences of Quaker activists like Bayard Rustin and Alice Paul inspired their work for social justice.
Throughout the sermon, you could encourage your congregation to explore their own experiences of the mystical and to deepen their connection to the inner light through spiritual practices and a commitment to spiritual transformation.
Mark: Holy, cow. That is a WILD you came up with that
ChatGBT: Thank you! As an AI language model, I am programmed to provide examples and ideas on a wide range of topics, and I try my best to provide suggestions that are creative, interesting, and relevant to the topic at hand. I'm glad to hear that you found my example of a sermon topic related to mystical experiences and spiritual transformation in the Quaker tradition to be interesting!
Mark: Thank you! goodbye!
ChatGBT: You're welcome! If you have any other questions in the future, feel free to ask. Goodbye!
What do you make of all of this? I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below!