To Address Uses of Artificial Intelligence

Official Workbook overture source text

4-51 
To Address Uses of Artificial Intelligence 
WHEREAS, Man is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 
139:14) in the image of God (Gen. 1:26–27); and 
WHEREAS, All First Article gifts, including powerful 
technological tools such as artificial intelligence (AI), are created 
by human beings with the gifts and abilities that God has granted to 
us as the pinnacle of the created order (Gen . 1:26–28; 2:7; 5:1–2); 
and 
W
HEREAS, These gifts can be harnessed for human flourishing as 
we seek to love God and neighbor (Deut . 6:4–5; Lev. 19:18; Matt. 
22:37–39; Mark 12:30–31); and 
WHEREAS, The fall  into sin  has made us dead to God and 
darkened our minds; and 
WHEREAS, The fall  into sin  has also adversely affected every 
aspect of creation, including the development and use of these 
powerful innovations (Rom. 8:22); and 
WHEREAS, Computer algorithms bear no inherent morality, no 
eternal soul, no love or fear of God, and no prayerful heart to guide 
its decisions; and 
WHEREAS, These tools are designed with the distinct values and 
purposes of their fallen human creators in mind; and 
WHEREAS, These tools may shape us in subtle, yet meaningful 
ways— including our understanding of God, humanity, and the 
world around us; and 
WHEREAS, AI raises deep, crucial questions that challenge God’s 
revelation about what it means to be human, which are often rooted 
merely in human capacities rather than in divinely granted 
ontological status; and 
WHEREAS, We alone, as God ’s image bearers, created by the 
Father through the Son and given His Holy Spirit in Baptism, bear 
the moral responsibility for the development and use of tools (Rom. 
12:1–2); and 
WHEREAS, AI algorithms could serve as a digital ministry 
assistant, creating and curating digital content and communications; 
and 
WHEREAS, The use of AI (e.g., ChatGPT ) is now being 
experimented with by churches to create sermons, prayers, images, 
hymns, and other resources for use in worship; and 
W
HEREAS, AI algorithms may soon be tasked to function as 
automated chaplains, more available and responsive than other 
community members, so that people may come to rely on it for 
spiritual sustenance instead of on Word and Sacrament; and 
WHEREAS, AI and other emerging technologies afford us 
unprecedented opportunities for advancement across industries and 
throughout our societies, but may also have dangerous and 
dehumanizing outcomes if not utilized with godly wisdom and 
discernment; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod state unequivocally that our intrinsic 
value is as image bearers — not rooted in what we do or contribute 
to society— and that human dignity must be central to any ethical 
principles, guidelines, or regulations for any and all uses of these 
powerful emerging technologies; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod affirm that God’s unchanging Word is 
more than sufficient for whatever ethical challenges, questions, and 
opportunities we may face today or in the future as these 
technologies continue to be developed and deployed in our 
communities; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod acknowledge the powerful nature of 
AI and other emerging technologies to potentially draw us from our 
reliance on true Word and Sacrament ministry; and be it further 
Resolved, 
That the Synod proactively engage and shape these 
emerging technologies rather than simply respond to the challenges 
of AI and other emerging technologies after they have already 
affected our churches and communities; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod encourage all who employ these tools 
to do so in honest, transparent, and Christ -like ways that focus on 
loving God and loving our neighbor as ourselves (Matt. 22:37–40), 
never seeking to willfully deceive others or take advantage of them 
for unjust gain or the accumulation of power; and be it further 
Resolved
, That the Synod establish a task force to further study 
the use of AI technology in the church; and be it further 
Resolved, That the C ouncil of Presidents (C OP), the O ffice of 
the President (OTP), and the Commission on Theology and Church 
Relations (CTCR) produce a joint document to be presented in a 
manner that allows for appropriate theological reflection and study 
of the use of AI; and be it finally