Christian author and Desiring God founder John Piper contended that writing a sermon and ministry newsletters using artificial intelligence (AI) would be "wicked" and "appalling" as it is devoid of authenticity and devotion from preachers themselves. Piper, who previously pastored Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis for more than three decades and currently serves as chancellor of Bethlehem College and Seminary, answered two questions raised by a pastor and a college-ministry leader on his 'Ask Pastor John' podcast, respectively, concerning whether AI was appropriate to write newsletters to ministry supporters as well as for sermon preparation.

In response, Piper shared a definition of AI he found on Google, which is "a technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem-solving, decision-making, creativity, and autonomy," noting that the definition lacks the mention of "emotion."

"The ultimate purpose of the universe is that God be glorified, and he is glorified not merely by being rightly thought about, logically comprehended, but by rightly being enjoyed, admired, appreciated, valued," he continued.

"And God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in him, which means no artificial intelligence will ever be able to worship," Piper said. "Worship is not simply right thinking, which computers can do. Worship is right feeling about God."

Regarding the first question, Piper argued that using generative AI to craft sermons would be "wicked" despite being well-written, Church Leaders reports.

"Wicked—I'm using a strong word because I feel strongly about this," the Desiring God founder said. "This goes to the heart of God and the meaning of Christianity and the integrity of the church and her ministers."

"Neither God nor his people speak in a way so as to bring about in the minds of other people thoughts that are not true about us or what we say or feelings in them that are not appropriate about us," Piper continued. "That is, we do not deceive. We are people of truth and transparency and honesty through and through, or we are nothing."

Piper also opposed the use of AI in writing ministry newsletters to answer the second question.

"No, don't have ChatGPT write your newsletter," Piper said. "Don't do it, unless you're going to put in clear letters at the top, 'This newsletter was created by ChatGPT.' That's honest, and your supporters won't like it."

"And second, no, don't have ChatGPT write the first draft of your sermon, which you then check, adjust, and customize," he added. "Frankly, I'm appalled at the thought—appalled."

Despite acknowledging the existence of these "resources and websites" to help pastors in sermon preparation, Piper said he always found them "appalling."

Piper shared that one of the chief qualifications of a pastor is to "have the ability, the gift, to read a passage of Scripture, understand the reality it deals with, feel the emotions it is meant to elicit, be able to explain it to others clearly, illustrate and apply it for their edification."

"That's a gift you must have," he stressed. "It's your No. 1 job. If you don't have it, you should not be a pastor."

"Let's use ChatGPT and other sources that are coming along for information, even for inspiration, just like you use commentaries and articles and books and songs and poetry," Piper said. "But don't use it for composition unless you're going to give credit for it."

In closing, Piper said that pastors using ChatGPT for their sermons, including writing the first draft, should acknowledge it in their congregation.

"So, if you're going to have ChatGPT write your first draft and you're going to tweak it, then you better say to your people, 'ChatGPT, artificial intelligence, has composed the Word of God for you this morning,'" he said.

The usage of AI in the church has made headlines while simultaneously sparking outrage in recent times, including the installment of an AI Jesus Christ at a Catholic Church in Switzerland.

Meanwhile, South Carolina megachurch pastor Ron Carpenter developed an AI version of himself in which congregants can have "personalized, 1-on-1 interactions" with and receive prayer.

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