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Hello St. John’s Family,
I’ve never been much of a sci-fi junkie (aside from Star Wars), yet I’ve been intrigued by recent reports of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) “chatbots” that are getting attention in the media. If you’re not familiar, chatbots are computer programs designed to simulate conversation with human users, often using natural language processing and AI techniques. AI-based chatbots use machine learning algorithms to learn from user interactions and improve their responses over time. And yes, that definition was provided courtesy of ChatGPT, a widely available chatbot that many people are experimenting with. To clear up any questions… the rest of my note will be purely me!
For some, technology like ChatGPT is an amazing tool that can help quickly provide ideas to start a task or creative process. The generative AI processes they employ can write prose and even generate images, providing a starting point when one is uncertain how to begin – or is too busy or tired to invest the energy. Formulaic writing tasks, like home descriptions for a real estate agent or job descriptions for a hiring manager can be drafted in seconds. One article I read noted how this technology helps “solve the problem of a blank page,” providing good prompts that can be edited and shaped as desired in a fraction of the time typically needed.
Others are concerned. Could this technology be another example of a low-cost alternative that will replace us slower, more expensive humans in the workforce? Cheating, which any young person will tell you is a big issue in schools today, is another concern. Will ChatGPT present an easy way for students to game the system? While these ethical questions are important and should be engaged thoughtfully, I’ve found myself reflecting on a different question: what does AI reveal about us?
As people of faith, we understand that we reflect the image of God in a meaningful way. We reflect the wisdom and creativity of God, as well as God’s desire to be in relationship with others. Ultimately, it’s our relationships, first with God and then extending to others, that provide us with our sense of purpose and fulfillment. Without a foundational relationship with God that extends others, we will always be longing. Or as St. Augustine said, “our heart is restless until we find our rest in you (God).”
Technology is an amazing tool; something that can aid and assist us in the work we’re called to do. Yet it seems many of our technological advances often end up yielding more disagreements, distance, and isolation. Smartphones, tablets, and social media certainly fit that pattern; I sense ChatGPT could lead there as well. Perhaps this points to our tendency to fall into the trap that’s caught up humans across the ages: allowing tools, toys, or anything else in the created world to take priority above the God who is the source of it all.
Lent is a wonderful opportunity to pause and reflect; to examine our lives to see if we need to realign our relationship with God. As you reflect, know that God longs to bring redemption and rest to the broken and restless areas of our lives as we open our hearts to Christ.
This Sunday in worship, we’ll continue our sermon series on Matthew 23. We’ll hear how Jesus has harsh words for practices of religious leaders that are overtly exclusionary… as they themselves (and all of God’s people) struggle to measure up. We’ll see God’s law wasn’t intended to exclude, rather to lead God’s people into full, abundant life. I hope you’ll check out Matthew 23:11-15, then join me for a chatbot-free time of worship-
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Brad
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