Preaching the Word of God in Artificial Intelligence | ICFAI 2025
Research Paper

Preaching The Word of God in the Artificial Intelligence: Challenges And Opportunities

Juvenal Rwamunyana
Protestant University Rwanda
Eraste Rukera
Protestant University Rwanda
Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing life on Earth. Many tasks are executed through AI applications. With AI, the physical contact and presence are no longer required to deliver or receive a service applied for. For the preaching activity, the introduction of AI in preaching remains an unexplored area. This paper aims to seek the implications of the use of AI in preaching the word of God, its challenges, and opportunities. A qualitative approach is used to gather information. The desk review is employed to gather data from documents related to this topic. Findings reveal that challenges related to the introduction of AI in preaching include plagiarism of sermons, a universal message that does not take into consideration the culture, audience, and context of local communities. Critical analysis and creative spirit are reduced because people believe that everything needed has been prepared already and machines preach better than human beings. This creates lazy habits of the mind, moral abdication, and blind obedience. Church attendance may decline, and socialisation among church members after services may diminish. Untrained ministers in the use of AI tools may no longer find a place in the church. It may negatively affect exegetical work because everyone becomes a preacher through AI platforms. On the other hand, opportunities include access to many well-written sermons, wider choice for audiences, and the ability to reach anyone with minimal effort while breaking denominational barriers. Churches are therefore encouraged to reflect on how to value their temples and train their members in the responsible use of AI.

Keywords
Artificial Intelligence preaching Word of God