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Pastors' view: Sermons written by ChatGPT will have no soul

Among sermon writers, there is fascination – and unease – over the fast-expanding abilities of artificial-intelligence chatbots

By DAVID CRARY
Published - Feb 15, 2023, 09:09 AM ET
Last Updated - Jun 22, 2023, 09:32 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Among sermon writers, there is fascination – and unease – over the fast-expanding abilities of artificial-intelligence chatbots. For now, the evolving consensus among clergy is this: Yes, they can write a passably competent sermon. But no, they can’t replicate the passion of actual preaching.

“It lacks a soul – I don’t know how else to say it,” said Hershael York, a pastor in Kentucky who also is dean of the school of theology and a professor of Christian preaching at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Sermons are meant to be the core of a worship service -- and often are faith leaders' best weekly shot at grabbing their congregation’s attention to impart theological and moral guidance.

Lazy pastors might be tempted to use AI for this purpose, York said, “but not the great shepherds, the ones who love preaching, who love their people.”

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