Blog Post

Using A.I. Responsibly

January 11, 2026

USING A.I. Responsibly

(ChatGPT, Perplexity, etc.)

A Pastoral & Coaching-Oriented Perspective

Modern A.I. tools raise understandable questions for Christians, and for others too. As John Lennox often reminds us when addressing technology and faith, tools can amplify human ability, but they cannot generate truth, wisdom, or moral meaning. Those belong to God alone. The question is not whether we use tools like A.I., but how and why.

For those wanting to go deeper, Professor John Lennox’s book ‘2084 and the AI Revolution (2nd Edition): How Artificial Intelligence Informs Our Future’ is a thoughtful starting point: Click this link

Think of A.I. less as a “power upgrade” and more as a tool you steward for a season — useful when it truly serves clarity, creativity, or capacity, and released when it no longer does.

Just as early church father Augustine spoke of using earthly tools without clinging to them, and Gregory of Nyssa reminded believers that growth is often progressive and seasonal, tools are best approached as a means, not a master.

In our time:

  • John Piper regularly cautions against anything that dulls spiritual attentiveness or replaces dependence on God.
  • Wes Huff models careful use of modern tools while grounding truth-claims in primary sources and historical reality.
  • Michael Kruger emphasises careful sourcing and clarity about authority — especially when it comes to Scripture, canon, and truth.

Discernment Matters

A.I. should never replace:

  • prayer
  • Scripture
  • embodied Christian community
  • accountability
  • moral responsibility
  • truth

Used poorly, A.I. can reward speed over wisdom, productivity over formation, and confidence over careful verification. It can also generate plausible-sounding errors — so checking sources and Scripture matters and having resource links and/or a bibliography to check the sources is wise. Used well, it can assist thoughtful work while leaving authority where it belongs — with God, His Word, and a rightly formed conscience.

Using A.I. Well Starts with the Free Versions

Both ChatGPT and Perplexity can be used responsibly and fruitfully without paying anything.

The free version of ChatGPT is well suited for:

  • clarifying ideas and structure
  • summarising or rephrasing content you’ve already written
  • helping outline sermons, lessons, or blog posts based on your ideas and initial content
  • assisting reflection, journaling, or coaching prompts
  • assisting with balancing out your views and ideas that might potentially be biases
  • other editorial assistance

Used this way, free ChatGPT functions like a thinking companion, not an authority — helping organise thoughts while leaving discernment, theology, and final responsibility firmly with the user.

Perplexity’s free version is particularly helpful for cross-checking information, locating sources, and testing clarity — especially when reviewing your own work rather than generating something new.

When a Paid Plan (ChatGPT Plus) May Be Helpful

Upgrading to ChatGPT Plus does not make someone wiser or more faithful — but it can reduce friction during seasons of sustained work.

In practice, Plus may offer:

  • more consistent access during busy periods
  • stronger handling of long, complex documents
  • better continuity for multi-part projects (sermon series, curricula, books)
  • file uploads and longer contextual memory for drafts
  • unlimited access

For people writing, teaching, coaching, or synthesising theology over time, this can mean less mental load and more space to think prayerfully. It is best viewed as a temporary, seasonal support, not a permanent dependency.

As with any tool, discernment grows through use — and through restraint.

A Pastoral Bottom Line

ChatGPT and Perplexity can be used wisely and faithfully in their free versions. Paid tools may help during intense seasons, but they are never required for faithfulness or fruitfulness.

Use them intentionally.
Release them freely.
Return when the season calls for it.

I personally use Perplexity to cross-check and test my own content, and ChatGPT (free or Plus, depending on the season) to help refine clarity and structure — always reviewing, praying, and editing so the final work remains my voice, under Scripture, discernment, and abiding in Christ.

Tools may assist the work.
Only Christ transforms the worker.

When using A.I. for articles and blog posts etc., I recommend providing a transparent disclaimer, something like this – Disclaimer: A.I. tools (ChatGPT and/or Perplexity) were used for content refinement and editorial support, sometimes including targeted idea generation or drafting. All content remains the responsibility of the author.

Bibliography / Footnotes

  1. Lennox, John C. 2084: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity (2nd Edition). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Reflective, 2023. Available at Koorong.

  2. Augustine of Hippo. On Christian Doctrine. Translated by D. W. Robertson. Indianapolis: Bobbs‑Merrill, 1958.

  3. Gregory of Nyssa. The Life of Moses. Translated by Abraham J. Malherbe and Everett Ferguson. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1978.

  4. Piper, John. Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist. Multnomah, 2011. See also articles at.

  5. Huff, Wes. “Thoughtful Use of Technology in Christian Apologetics.” Wes Huff Blog, accessed January 2026. https://www.wesleyhuff.com/

  6. Kruger, Michael J. Canon Revisited: Establishing the Origins and Authority of the New Testament Books. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2012.

  7. OpenAI. ChatGPT (Free and Plus Versions). Accessed January 2026. https://chat.openai.com

  8. Perplexity.ai. Perplexity: The Answer Engine. Accessed January 2026. https://www.perplexity.ai

 

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