Demystifying AI: A Practical Guide for Mere Mortals -- Part Two of Faithful Innovations

If You Understand the Trinity, This Will Be a Breeze

Jan 23, 2025

I’m writing this post for church leaders and ministers, but everyone will be interested to know this information. Everyone!

Introduction

I’m not a mechanic, but I know the basics of how an engine works.

To prove the point, let me confess: I recently bought a car from a dealer and never once popped the hood to check the engine. I turned the car on, took it for a spin, enjoyed the ride, and made the deal. I trusted the car to do its job, even though I couldn’t take it apart and put it back together.

Similarly, I’m not a computer scientist. But I’ve developed a skill that many pastors and seminary-trained teachers share: I regularly take complex ideas and translate them into everyday images, analogies, and examples.

It’s what Bible teachers and students do when they read and understand Scripture. It’s what preachers do when they proclaim God’s Word in a way that connects with real life.

That’s what I hope to do in this post. I don’t fully understand how AI works under the hood, but I’ve seen the work it can do. My goal is to explain this mysterious tool in ways that make sense to “mere mortals” like me. And you.

If you’ve ever tried to teach the mystery of the Trinity, you’ll understand the challenge—and I’ll count on your sympathy and patience as I make the attempt.

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)

For many, AI feels like a mysterious force—complex, powerful, and perhaps even intimidating. But at its heart, AI is simply a tool designed to mimic certain aspects of human thinking to help us process information, solve problems, and make decisions.

This explanation only scratches the surface. So, to truly understand AI, we must go deeper—not as technical experts, but as curious learners eager to grasp the basics of how the technology operates.

AI Is Great At Pattern Recognition

At its core, AI is incredibly skilled at recognizing patterns. Just as humans observe the world and make connections based on experience, AI learns to identify relationships within data.

At speeds approaching the speed of light.

Imagine teaching a child to recognize a dog. You’d show them a variety of dogs—big ones, small ones, fluffy ones, spotted ones—until they start to understand the common traits that define “dog-ness.”

AI works similarly, though it doesn’t look at pictures or examples the way we do. Instead, it processes large amounts of data—pixels in images, words in sentences, or numbers in a spreadsheet—and finds patterns that distinguish one thing from another.

This ability to recognize patterns is the foundation for nearly everything AI does. Whether it’s identifying objects in photos, predicting the next word you’ll type, or recommending your next favorite movie, AI’s magic lies in its capacity to detect and apply patterns with astonishing speed and accuracy.

Does AI “See”?

But let’s get into the weeds on this idea of AI ‘seeing’ a dog. AI doesn’t “see” in the way humans do, with eyes and a brain. Instead, it processes data—like the pixels in an image—to find patterns that represent what makes a dog a dog.

When AI processes a picture of a dog, it doesn’t see the image as a whole. It sees it as a grid of pixels, each with specific values for color and brightness. And it is shown millions of images labeled “dog” and “not dog” to train the computer to notice everything important about the dog, its shapes like ears, noses, fur texture, or tails.

It has been shown so many images that when I tell it to draw the image of a dog, it can do it within seconds and do it so much better than I could ever do. The image you see below was generated by the simple command you seein the caption: draw a picture of a happy blue dog waiting to play.

draw a picture of a happy blue dog waiting to play

A day later I gave it the same instruction.

Then minutes later I used the same command.

Biblical Patterns

This pattern recognition mirrors something familiar to those in ministry. Just as bible students, teacher, and preachers learn to recognize patterns in scripture—recurring themes, images, codes, prophetic parallels, or linguistic structures that reveal deeper meaning—AI systems develop their understanding through exposure to examples.

For example, every preacher knows that when they come across the idea of ‘water’ in the bible, it means something. It is more than just wet liquid. We know water symbolizes judgment and deliverance: in the Old Testament. The flood judges the wicked and delivers the righteous. Water wiped out Pharaoh and was the means for Moses and Israel’s deliverance. So in the New Testament, baptism signifies judgement (dying to sin) and deliverance (rising to new life in Christ.)

Let’s move on.

If you are a true novice at this, here’s how to start.
First, know that ChatGPT is a term designed to feel approachable—you chat with it—while hinting at its underlying power. The “GPT” stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer, which may sound intimidating but simply refers to the advanced technology behind the scenes that makes ChatGPT so effective.
To get started, visit https://chat.openai.com and create an account.
Once you’re in, try out a simple command to see how it works.
For example, ask:
What percentage of all written texts, including books, manuscripts, and government documents, have been digitized worldwide, and what are the major projects contributing to this effort?”
ChatGPT will respond with an informative and detailed answer, showcasing its ability to process complex queries with ease. This is your first step into the world of AI-powered assistance—simple, accessible, and endlessly fascinating.
( I recommend you read the rest of the article first because you will be gone for hours.)

The Role of Training and Data

AI systems don’t start out “smart”; they must be trained. Training involves feeding the AI vast amounts of data and helping it learn to identify patterns or relationships within that data.

Imagine AI as a student preparing for an exam. The more examples it studies, the better it becomes at recognizing correct answers or producing useful outputs.

For instance, if an AI is designed to write music, it might be trained on thousands of existing songs. Through this process, it begins to understand musical structures, rhythms, and harmonies, allowing it to create new compositions that sound authentic.

The quality of this training data is critical. Just as a student given incorrect or incomplete notes will struggle to succeed, an AI trained on flawed or biased data can produce inaccurate or harmful results. The responsibility for the data’s accuracy lies squarely with the humans designing and training the system.

Algorithms as the Rules for Learning

While data is the foundation of AI, algorithms are the rules that guide it. Since most of us were trained to do word study, let’s stop for a moment and explore the background and provenance of the word we have heard to much about.

The word “algorithm” is the Latinized name of a 9th-century Persian mathematician, Al-Khwarizmi, whose works on mathematics and computation laid foundational principles for what we now call algebra and arithmetic. In its essence, an algorithm is a step-by-step process or set of rules designed to solve a problem or perform a calculation.

For example, to use the word algorithm non-numerically or non-scientifically, I can say that every morning, I follow a little algorithm for making coffee. First, I measure the beans, grind them to the right texture, heat the water, and then pour it over the grounds in a slow, circular motion. It’s my step-by-step routine to ensure the perfect cup—like a recipe, but with no room for improvisation.

In the miracle of computer capabilities, algorithms serve as instructions, helping AI analyze and process the data it has learned. For example, an algorithm might help AI decide whether an email is spam, predict the likelihood of rain, or even generate a story based on a prompt. As we saw in my morning coffee illustration, algorithms are recipes, guiding the AI step by step as it tackles a specific task.

This process isn’t memorization; instead, AI uses algorithms to understand the “why” behind the patterns it sees, enabling it to apply that understanding to new situations. For example, when AI recommends a movie, it compares your preferences with the preferences of millions of others, using an algorithm to uncover patterns and predict what you might enjoy.

The AI learns about me, even though it doesn’t know me.

AI is a Model, Not a Mind

It’s important to understand that AI doesn’t “think” like humans do. While its outputs can feel intelligent or even creative, AI operates entirely within the limits of its training and algorithms. It doesn’t have feelings, intentions, or self-awareness.

When AI generates a response, identifies an image, or makes a recommendation, it’s essentially predicting what comes next based on the patterns it has learned from its training data.

For instance, if you ask an AI to write a poem, it doesn’t feel inspired or poetic. Instead, it uses its training to replicate the structures and styles of poetry it has been exposed to, piecing words together like a puzzle. AI’s strength lies not in creativity or understanding, but in its ability to process vast amounts of information quickly and efficiently.

For example, I gave it this instruction: write a rhyming six line poem in iambic pentameter about a pastor who uses AI to write a sermon.

It produced this mechanical and terrible poem:

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published

Guided by Light, Not Code

Upon his desk, the pastor bowed his head,
A Sunday sermon waiting to be read.
He sought the aid of AI’s clever might,
To shape his thoughts and guide his words to light.
Yet prayed, “O Lord, let this but be a start,
Your truth must flow from You into each heart."

The Need for Speed

AI’s strength lies not only in its ability to analyze data but also in the extraordinary speed at which it performs these calculations.

Consider this: a modern AI model can process millions, even billions, of data points per second. For instance, when analyzing an image, AI can evaluate every pixel—potentially millions in a high-resolution photo—and identify patterns, such as edges, shapes, and colors, in mere milliseconds.

When it comes to text, a large language model like GPT-4 can process and generate responses by analyzing vast amounts of contextual information in a fraction of a second. To put it into perspective, an AI can calculate probabilities and evaluate relationships between words and phrases tens of thousands of times faster than the human brain can process a sentence.

This incredible speed allows AI to perform tasks that would take humans years—if not lifetimes—to complete, such as analyzing global weather patterns or scanning millions of medical records to identify trends.

In short, the breathtaking speed of AI enables it to transform vast, complex datasets into actionable insights with unmatched efficiency.

This distinction between AI's capabilities and human consciousness raises important theological considerations. Unlike humans, who are created in God's image and possess consciousness and soul, AI lacks true understanding, spiritual awareness, or moral agency.

It cannot experience faith, form a relationship with God, or possess genuine wisdom. AI's impressive outputs—whether writing sermons or analyzing biblical texts—remain fundamentally different from human spiritual and intellectual engagement with these tasks. This understanding helps us maintain appropriate boundaries in how we implement AI in ministry contexts.

draw a picture of a pastor reading a bible and writing notes on a pad

Why This Matters

Understanding how AI works helps demystify the technology and shows us its true nature. AI is a powerful tool, but it is just that—a tool. It doesn’t replace human intelligence or creativity; it extends and amplifies them. Just as a hammer doesn’t build a house by itself, AI doesn’t make decisions or create solutions on its own. Its value comes from how it is shaped, guided, and used by the people who design and employ it.

Understanding AI's capabilities opens up numerous possibilities for enhancing ministry while maintaining appropriate theological boundaries. Here are some ways AI might serve as a tool in pastoral work:

Sermon Preparation: AI can help generate fresh perspectives on biblical texts, suggest relevant illustrations, or identify connecting themes across scripture. However, it should never replace the Holy Spirit's guidance or the pastor's personal engagement with the text.
Pastoral Care: AI tools might help organize and analyze patterns in congregation needs, suggest resources for specific situations, or help draft initial responses to common pastoral questions. Yet they cannot replace the essential human connection and Spirit-led discernment in pastoral care.
Church Administration: AI can assist with scheduling, communication planning, and resource management, freeing up more time for direct ministry. It can help identify trends in church attendance, giving, or ministry engagement that might inform strategic planning.
Teaching and Discipleship: AI might help generate age-appropriate curriculum materials, create interactive learning experiences, or provide initial answers to common theological questions. However, the formation of disciples remains a deeply personal, Spirit-led process.

Closing Comments

AI is a remarkable achievement of human ingenuity, reflecting the complexity and creativity that God has woven into humanity. It has the potential to serve as a powerful tool for good, whether in ministry, education, healthcare, or countless other fields. But with this power comes responsibility. How we train AI, the purposes we use it for, and the wisdom we bring to its application will determine its impact.

Perhaps the greatest question is not how intelligent AI can become, but how wisely and faithfully we will use it to solve problems, serve others, and reflect the image of our Creator in a world increasingly shaped by this technology.

Let us Pray