A Powerful (and Dangerous) Tool
“All who are prudent act with knowledge, but fools expose their folly” (Proverbs 13:16). The latest ChinaSource Journal Summer 2025 issue establishes a strong foundation for artificial intelligence (AI) in ministry, covering theology, ethics, frameworks, and responsible use. As James Hwang asks, “How do we embrace its potential for the Great Commission without compromising the integrity of our message or the essence of our humanity?” This response offers practical ways to do that—showing how AI can serve ministry while we guard the center. I use AI here to mean chatbots (e.g., DeepSeek, ChatGPT, Claude).
In the spirit of taking full responsibility, the examples below are tested, pastorally-safe use‑cases. They translate readily across cultural contexts—including Chinese‑language and returnee settings.
Guidelines
The following cautions will help us act with knowledge and avoid folly.
Privacy: AI systems remember and train on your input, so remove any identifying or sensitive data.
Errors and bias: AI systems frequently get things wrong and output what you want to see, so critically assess responses, and remain engaged with others in this dynamic field.
Laziness: AI systems may be able to produce nuanced and deep material, but it should only support ministry; don’t abandon your own prayerful Spirit-empowered reflections on Scripture and the work of pastoring.
C.-C. Jay Kuo reminds us, “It is essential to know what AI can and cannot do and put AI in a proper perspective in our society.” These guidelines keep that perspective clear.
Real-World Examples
These prompts were tested at DeepSeek. Remember, prompts with context and precision produce better results.
For Study and Teaching
Leonard Sidharta observes that “if AI is seen as a tool that enhances thought, it is unlikely [Aquinas and Zhu Xi] would reject it.” These study prompts aim to use AI exactly in that way—to sharpen reflection rather than replace it.
- Explain the key Greek terms in John 1:14, then unpack how Chinese house church theologians interpret it, comparing it to Western Reformed commentators?
- Summarize the political context in Ezekiel 17, listing key figures, locations, and dates. What pressures were God’s people facing at the time?
For Pastoral Care and Cross-Cultural Ministry
Ximian Simeon Xu shows that AI inevitably mirrors humanity’s own virtues and vices. But used wisely as an observer, it can help reveal blind spots, hidden dynamics, or pastoral tensions in relationships—prudent in cross-cultural contexts.
- From the described pastoral situation between A and B, list the main contributing factors, cultural issues, points of tension, potential blind spots.
A simple cross-cultural use might be explaining atonement to a ten-year-old in Chinese. This kind of exercise and the prompt below help us think through not just translation, but how the gospel is grasped emotionally by younger Chinese believers.
- How might young Chinese returnees who’ve studied in the US, UK, or Australia react emotionally to teaching on Luke 9:18-27?
For Administration, Planning, and Research
AI is useful for time-saving pragmatic situations.
- Condense this Chinese-language testimony into a 200-word summary for an English-speaking context.
- Suggest 5 well-known Chinese hymns and 5 contemporary Chinese songs that support a sermon on Romans 5:1-11, showing relevant lyrics or connections, author, and year.
Deeper research is also possible but must be checked carefully.
- Write a detailed report on international students in China focusing on the last 15 years. Name trends, key issues, relevant Chinese and foreign policies, global shifts in transnational education. [Note: enable “DeepThink” and “Search” on DeepSeek].
The Wise Path
These examples show how prompts can be tuned for different contexts—from Western seminaries to Chinese churches, from international student ministry to local congregations. The adaptability itself is a gift, though always under the Spirit’s guidance.
A single caution remains—use AI with prudence. Guard privacy, test for errors and bias, and resist the temptation to outsource spiritual labor. AI is only ever a tool. The power of the gospel remains in the message itself and the Spirit’s life-giving work in human hearts.
