Thoughts on faith, culture, and public life.
Artist's impression of the Rev Charles Haddon Spurgeon at work on sermon preparation in his pastor's study. Daniel Nealon’s January 2026 essay, “Why Pastors Should Question AI for the Sake of Their Souls” (published here), raises legitimate questions about the formative effects of generative artificial intelligence on Christian ministry. Technologies are not merely passive instruments: they …
Continue reading "Pastoral formation and generative AI: A critical response to Daniel Nealon"
When AI becomes a crutch Generative artificial intelligence offers remarkable possibilities for preaching, speechwriting and other forms of public communication. It can assist with research, summarise complex material, propose structures, identify weaknesses in arguments, generate counterarguments, suggest illustrations and improve prose. Used judiciously, it can function as research assistant, editor, interlocutor and critic. Risks for …
Continue reading "Public Speaking in the Age of AI (Part 3)"
Preaching, formation and responsible practice For Christian preachers as well as others whose work frequently involves public communication, AI offers considerable possibilities. A sermon is not simply religious information arranged persuasively, but preaching has always drawn upon tools of interpretation, theology, rhetoric and communication. Generative AI can become another such tool, assisting with biblical background, …
Continue reading "Public Speaking in the Age of AI (Part 2)"
I asked ChatGPT to explain how generative AI contributes to cultural stagnation and the likely impact on human civilisation. Here’s the response. A term worth knowing in the age of artificial intelligence is cultural stagnation. It names something subtle yet profound: the slow flattening of creativity into polished sameness. Not the sudden death of art, …
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