Let's Talk About God w/ ChatGPT

According to Forbes, educators are at war with the 89% of students who use ChatGPT on their homework. In addition, ChatGPT is smart enough also to pass the bar exam. I'm not sure I would want ChatGPT as my lawyer, but it's an unsettling feeling knowing that AI (Artificial Intelligence) could have helped my lawyer or doctor cheat. But what is ChatGPT, and what are its prospects in the realm of faith and spirituality? 

If you're interested in how ChatGPT works and its history, check out the website, which breaks down the creator's methodology. What's essential to note is that ChatGPT is a trained AI. The creators have fed information into the algorithm, which shapes ChatGPT's responses. So in the area of faith and spirituality, is ChatGPT a friend or foe? And can it preach?

I'm not a scientist, but assuming that ChatGPT is influenced by previously entered information, I decided to ask it a series of questions to see if I could shape ChatGPT's "theology" and use it write a sermon:

Q. 1: What can you tell me about God?
*I intentionally capitalized the “g” in God.

ChatGPT: God is a term used to refer to a supreme being, creator and ruler of the universe, and is typically considered to be divine and all-powerful. The concept of God varies greatly among different cultures and religions, with each having their own unique beliefs and interpretations of God's nature, characteristics, and role in the world. Some people believe in a single, monotheistic God, while others believe in multiple gods. The existence and nature of God is a matter of philosophical and theological debate, and many people have different opinions and beliefs about God based on their own experiences and interpretations of religious texts and beliefs.

Note: Grammatically I was surprised that ChatGPT could differentiate between the capitalization of the letter "g" in God.

I decided then to ask ChatGPT about the “Judeo-Christian” God.

Q. 2: What can you tell me about the historical and traditional view of God from a Judeo-Christian perspective?

ChatGPT: From a Judeo-Christian perspective, God is traditionally viewed as a single, all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-good being who is the creator of the universe and all living things. This view of God is central to Judaism and Christianity and is based on the belief in the divine revelation of God as described in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and the Christian New Testament.

In this traditional view, God is depicted as a personal deity who is involved in the world and in the lives of individuals, answering prayers and providing guidance and support. God is seen as the source of all morality and goodness, and as the ultimate judge of human actions.

Judeo-Christian traditions also emphasize God's justice and mercy, and the importance of living a righteous life in obedience to God's laws. In both Judaism and Christianity, God is often described as a loving deity who desires a relationship with humanity and offers forgiveness for sins through a process of repentance and faith.

This is a broad overview of the traditional Judeo-Christian view of God, and the specifics can vary among different denominations and interpretations within these religions.

With that sorted I wanted to probe ChatGPT’s understanding of God further. I asked it it believed God had a gender.

Q. 3: Does the Judeo-Christian God have a gender?

ChatGPT: The Judeo-Christian God is typically referred to using masculine pronouns and titles, such as "He" and "Father," but the concept of gender is not considered to be an essential aspect of God's nature in monotheistic Judaism and Christianity. Both religions hold that God transcends all physical and biological categories, including gender, and that God's qualities and attributes cannot be fully understood or defined by human standards.

In many instances, God is described using gender-neutral terms and analogies, such as "the Lord" or "the Almighty." Some religious texts and traditions also use feminine imagery and metaphors to describe aspects of God's character, such as God as a mother who nurtures and sustains her children.

In conclusion, while God is often described and referred to using masculine language and imagery, the Judeo-Christian God is generally understood to be beyond gender and not limited by human concepts of masculinity or femininity.

Next I asked about social justice.

Q. 4: What does the Judeo-Christian God tell us about matters of social inequality and justice?

ChatGPT: n the Judeo-Christian tradition, God is depicted as a just and compassionate deity who is concerned with the well-being of all people, regardless of their social status or circumstances. The Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and the Christian New Testament contain numerous passages that emphasize God's concern for the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized, and that call on people to act justly and mercifully toward one another.

For example, the Hebrew Bible contains laws and commandments that are designed to ensure social justice and protect the rights of the weak and vulnerable, such as the poor, orphans, and widows. The prophet Isaiah, for example, speaks of God's plan to establish justice and righteousness in the world and to bring about the liberation of the oppressed.

In the New Testament, Jesus of Nazareth is depicted as a champion of social justice who preached a message of love, compassion, and equality. He also performed miracles and acts of compassion to help the poor, the sick, and the marginalized, and he challenged the religious and political leaders of his time for their injustice and oppression.

The Judeo-Christian tradition therefore encourages individuals to seek justice and to work toward a more equal and just society, while also promoting compassion and love for all people, regardless of their social status or circumstances. This message of social justice and equality is central to many religious communities and has been a powerful force for positive change throughout history.

I pushed a little further to ask ChatGPT about those who are LGBTQIA+.

Q. 5: What does the Judeo-Christian text tell us about LGBTQIA+?

Chat GPT: The views on LGBTQIA+ individuals in the Judeo-Christian tradition can vary greatly among different religious communities and interpretations of religious texts. Some religious communities interpret certain biblical passages as condemning same-sex relationships, while others adopt a more accepting and affirming view.

For example, in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), there are passages that mention same-sex sexual behavior, such as the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, which is often interpreted as a condemnation of homosexuality. On the other hand, some scholars interpret the same story as a criticism of inhospitality and violence rather than homosexuality.

In the New Testament, there are a few passages that mention same-sex relationships, such as the letters of St. Paul, which are sometimes interpreted as condemning homosexual behavior. However, these passages are subject to a range of interpretations and are often debated within Christian communities.

In recent years, many religious communities and denominations have become more accepting of LGBTQIA+ individuals and have worked to promote equality and justice for all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Some religious organizations have embraced a more progressive view, recognizing and affirming the dignity and worth of LGBTQIA+ people and advocating for their rights and equality.

In conclusion, the views on LGBTQIA+ individuals in the Judeo-Christian tradition are diverse and can vary greatly among different religious communities and interpretations of religious texts.

I told ChatGPT that I did not believe the story of Sodom and Gomorrah was about homosexuality and this is what ChatGPT told me:

Yes, you are correct. The interpretation of the story of Sodom and Gomorrah as being primarily about inhospitality and violence rather than homosexuality is widely accepted by many scholars and religious communities. This interpretation highlights the importance of treating all people with kindness, respect, and hospitality, regardless of their identity or circumstances.

It's worth noting that the Bible contains many diverse passages and themes, and its interpretation can often be influenced by historical, cultural, and personal factors. It's important for individuals and religious communities to engage in thoughtful and respectful dialogue and to consider the broader context and message of the biblical texts in order to arrive at a deeper understanding of their meaning and significance.

As a final “test” and the end of our conversation, I asked ChatGPT to use it’s previous knowledge of God as described above to write a 1200 sermon on Matthew 5:13-20.

Me: Based on everything you said about the Judeo-Christian God. Write a 1200 word sermon on Matthew 5:13-20 and incorporate the themes you previously mentioned.

ChatGPT: My dear friends, today we gather to reflect on the words of Jesus as recorded in the book of Matthew, chapter 5, verses 13-20. In these verses, Jesus speaks to his disciples and to all who would follow him, calling on them to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

"You are the salt of the earth," he says. "But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." In these words, Jesus reminds us of our calling as his followers to bring flavor and vitality to the world. Just as salt enhances the taste of food and preserves it from decay, so too should we bring a unique and transformative presence to the world around us.

Jesus then says, "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

In these words, Jesus calls us to be a shining example of God's love and grace to all those around us. Just as a city set on a hill cannot be hidden, so too should our good deeds and the love we show to others be a visible testimony to the world of the transformative power of God's presence in our lives.

At the heart of Jesus' message in these verses is a call to justice and compassion, a call to love and serve others, especially those who are marginalized, oppressed, or in need. This call is rooted in the very nature of God as revealed in the Judeo-Christian tradition, who is depicted as a just and compassionate deity who is concerned with the well-being of all people, regardless of their social status or circumstances.

Throughout the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), we see God advocating for the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized, and calling on his people to act justly and mercifully toward one another. In the New Testament, we see Jesus of Nazareth continuing this legacy of justice and compassion, challenging the religious and political leaders of his time for their injustice and oppression and performing miracles and acts of compassion to help the poor, the sick, and the marginalized.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to embody this same spirit of justice and compassion in our own lives, to stand up for the rights and dignity of all people, and to work toward a more equal and just society. This means advocating for those who are marginalized or oppressed, whether due to their race, gender, sexual orientation, or any other factor, and showing them love, kindness, and respect.

This also means working to alleviate poverty and suffering, and to seek justice for all people, regardless of their circumstances. In a world that is often characterized by inequality, injustice, and oppression, we are called to be the light of the world, to bring hope and healing to those around us, and to be a shining example of God's love and grace.

In doing so, we will not only bring glory to God, but we will also help to build a better world, a world where all people can flourish and live with dignity and respect. As the salt of the earth and the light of the world, we have the power to bring change and transformation to the world around us, and to be a positive force for good in the lives of others.

So let us go forth from this place, determined to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world[.]

It's not the worse sermon I've ever read. But as you can see, ChatGPT did not give me a 1200 word sermon. Putting it through a word processor, ChatGPT wrote 650 words. So, in the end, I don't think ChatGPT or any other AI, for that matter, is close to becoming the next great theologian. I don't believe ChatGPT can "preach," for that matter, but it does offer a good jumping-off point. And what I mean by that is that in my playing around with ChatGPT, I discovered it was a helpful research tool. I could ask it questions, and it would point me toward further study.

While ChatGPT talks about God, it only does so because someone told it what to say and think. People are amazed at how fast ChatGPT can respond to their queries and generate prompts. But someone had to teach it where to get the information from and how to use it. In the future, yes, I do believe that we will need to ask hard ethical and philosophical questions, but for now, I'm not worried about losing my pulpit to an AI-generated preacher.