In 1455, the first Bible rolled off Gutenberg’s press. We can imagine that some in the church wondered whether to embrace such a new technology. Today, five hundred and seventy years later, we cannot imagine being without a printed Bible. But wait.
Two centuries before Gutenberg, Dominican friars compiled the first concordance to the Latin Vulgate. This monumental effort was the first alphabetical index of words and their occurrences in the Bible. John Marbeck later produced the first concordance to the English Bible in 1550. Both were monumental achievements that gave the church new tools for study. Yet in their day, many believers likely questioned whether such innovations were wise or necessary.
Could these men and many others credited with giving the church tools for Bible study imagine where we are today? Each generation can say to the previous generation, you have more tools at your disposal than ever before. No tool is perfect. Nothing eliminates the need for wisdom and discernment.
Although each generation inherits more tools than the last, no tool—whether dictionary, concordance, commentary, or study software—removes the need for wisdom and discernment. A dictionary may offer several definitions, but you still must choose the right one. A concordance may point to the same word in another verse, but context determines whether it applies. A commentary may offer insights, but the Berean spirit (Acts 17:11) is always needed.
Recently, I have begun using AI as a tool in sermon preparation, and I find it very helpful. I am very deliberate to show you the process, even sharing screenshots, not to impress but to demonstrate that this resource is also available to you. Some may ask, “Isn’t that cheating? Shouldn’t we do the hard work ourselves?” But think of other technologies we gladly embrace: we no longer mow with walk behind push reel mowers, or wash all dishes by hand. You get the point. I can embrace the technology because it gives me more time to be effective and do more things.
The same is true here. AI is no substitute for prayer, careful study, or reliance on the Spirit. But used wisely and with discernment, it can sharpen our teaching ministry and give us more time for prayer, discipleship, and the proclamation of the Gospel.
Teachers: use AI wisely, use it with discernment, but use it. Ask the same question twice and compare answers, check sources, and use the wisdom of the body of Christ to evaluate what you read. Above all, use them prayerfully. What do you think? I am using Grammarly as I type this note. It saves me time.
Like every good gift, this technology comes from God (James 1:17) and should be employed for His glory and the edification of His people. I will continue to share how I am using this technology, with the hope that together, our church will embrace it as a means to strengthen our teaching, deepen our faith, and magnify Christ.
