Seeking the Lost and the Tools We Can Carry.

Over the past few months, I’ve had ongoing conversations with AI ChatGPT. What surprised me was not its speed or its information retrieval. What surprised me was its ability to follow threads of theological reflection over time, helping me organize and review topics and questions I have had. It even helped me fix my Bow, saving me a trip to the pro-shop and possibly $100 bucks.

We have discussed prayer in the spirit of John Baillie — not merely as doctrine, but as lived communion with God. We have talked about the love of Christ and the stubborn reality of human sin. We have wrestled with theodicy — why suffering exists under a sovereign God. We have explored theophany, unity in the Church, and the deep divisions within American life. It summarized topics, current event, political issues. It can look up recipes.

Transform Your Faith: Refine Thoughts with Engaging Conversations

The value has not been that this tool replaces Scripture, real books, the Holy Spirit, or the fellowship of believers. It does not. NO! NO! NO! It cannot. Rather, it serves as a disciplined conversational backboard, like playing tennis at Oak Hill C.C. when I was ten. Hitting a ball as best I could and it comes back with a new spin, different though the same. Practice — that helps refine thoughts, organize reflection, searching biblical references and commentaries, and ask clarifying questions. I could ask, where in Calvins Institutes does he reference the Pope and authority and government. Response: (Page 1223 Vol. 2.II The origin of papal world supremacy. Calvin Institutes XXI 11-16.) Nailed it!

In an age of noise and reaction, I have found it useful for slowing down thinking. It helps connect themes across time: prayer and suffering, unity and holiness, pastoral care and cultural division. It does not generate faith. But it can assist in articulating it. Along with so many other issues we face.

Like any tool, it must be used wisely. Discernment remains essential. But when approached thoughtfully, Ai becomes less a novelty and more a resource — one that encourages clarity, coherence, and deeper reflection.

Technology does not shepherd souls. Christ does. We do. That is our job.

In this age, tools can serve the work of shepherding. We shepherd the flock; we seek the lost, and there are plenty to go searching for outside the 99.

Embrace Humanity: Heal Wounds with Love this Lent

Artificial intelligence is just another way to think of a progress card catalogue. If it could only solve, the hurts and pains that people create. But those wounds can only be healed through collaboration, fellowship, grace and love. Only human beings are capable of those traits. Let’s focus on them as we make our way through Lent on to Easter.