Good Use of AI: Summarizing text

[Szdfan]

I prefer to paste the text or a link directly into ChatGTP rather than rely on it pulling the text from somewhere else. I think it’s really good at recognizing patterns and I trust it a bit more with material or data that’s right there that I can verify.

I agree. When I have to rely on the results, I almost always do that.

I think one of the dangers of AI is to allow it to do your thinking for you, but it’s really helpful as a Socratic dialogue looking at an issue from multiple angles in order to refine thinking.

[Bootstrap]

I prefer to paste the text or a link directly into ChatGTP rather than rely on it pulling the text from somewhere else. I think it’s really good at recognizing patterns and I trust it a bit more with material or data that’s right there that I can verify.

I agree. When I have to rely on the results, I almost always do that.

I think one of the dangers of AI is to allow it to do your thinking for you, but it’s really helpful as a Socratic dialogue looking at an issue from multiple angles in order to refine thinking.

If you are using AI well, your mind is really engaged, you are evaluating what it says, using it to see different perspectives, thinking about the relationships between these perspectives, trying new things.

Used well, your mind should be more active, not less active.

[JohnH]

Here’s an idea: read the Bible without running it through an LLM first.

[Szdfan]

Here’s an idea: read the Bible without running it through an LLM first.

What if we already have? If we’ve already read the Bible, can we then run it through an LLM?

[Bootstrap]

Here’s an idea: read the Bible without running it through an LLM first.

I always do. Often in Greek or Hebrew. I still find it helpful to look at things from various perspectives, and I find this use of LLMs helpful for that. It sometimes shows me things I hadn't noticed. And of course, I read the text again to compare it to the summary.

As I said before:

Used well, your mind should be more active, not less active.

[Szdfan]

I still find it helpful to look at things from various perspectives, and I find this use of LLMs helpful for that. It sometimes shows me things I hadn't noticed. And of course, I read the text again to compare it to the summary.

As I said before:

Used well, your mind should be more active, not less active.

I think it would be interesting to walk through one of these kinds of “conversations” together, not using ChatGTP as an authoritative source, but rather one that prompts further thinking and reasoning together. What’s really important is to think about the follow up prompts and questions.

Here’s a possible prompt:

What are the similarities and differences between the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount? What are some patterns you see in both?

Of course this prompt could be revised to be more dialogic or open-ended.

[Silentreader]

I still find it helpful to look at things from various perspectives, and I find this use of LLMs helpful for that. It sometimes shows me things I hadn't noticed. And of course, I read the text again to compare it to the summary.

As I said before:

Used well, your mind should be more active, not less active.

I think it would be interesting to walk through one of these kinds of “conversations” together, not using ChatGTP as an authoritative source, but rather one that prompts further thinking and reasoning together. What’s really important is to think about the follow up prompts and questions.

Here’s a possible prompt:

What are the similarities and differences between the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount? What are some patterns you see in both?

Of course this prompt could be revised to be more dialogic or open-ended.

I am not AI but I'm going to go out on a limb and respond to the "possible prompt".
Thinking of Ezekiel 11:19 and 36:26-27 for instance,

And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

I see the Ten Commandments speaking to the "heart of stone" and the Sermon on the Mount speaking to the "heart of flesh".

[Szdfan]

I am not AI but I'm going to go out on a limb and respond to the "possible prompt".
Thinking of Ezekiel 11:19 and 36:26-27 for instance,

And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

I see the Ten Commandments speaking to the "heart of stone" and the Sermon on the Mount speaking to the "heart of flesh".

This could be an interesting discussion regardless of AI.

[JohnL]

AI is not the living breathing scriptures given to us by God.
AI was not saved by Jesus. Humans are.
Humans are called to immerse themselves in the Word of God and wrestle with the scriptures to convert the heart to discipleship with Jesus. There is no man made replacement for wrestling with the scriptures. It’s that action that confronts us with our faults and our sins so that we can seek Jesus and be more like him. Anything else is just a shortcut for laziness and that won’t serve Jesus. It only serves vanity.

[Bootstrap]

I think it would be interesting to walk through one of these kinds of “conversations” together, not using ChatGTP as an authoritative source, but rather one that prompts further thinking and reasoning together. What’s really important is to think about the follow up prompts and questions.

Here’s a possible prompt:

What are the similarities and differences between the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount? What are some patterns you see in both?

Of course this prompt could be revised to be more dialogic or open-ended.

Or we can follow up with other prompts. Here's the results I got for that prompt:

Similarities Between the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount

• Ethical Focus
  Both give guidance on how people should live.
  They lay out principles for relationships—with God and others.
• Authority
  The Ten Commandments are spoken by God on Mount Sinai.
  Jesus speaks with authority: "You have heard it said...but I say to you."
• Heart of Covenant Life
  The Commandments are central to Israel’s covenant.
  The Sermon is central to life in the Kingdom of God.
• Moral Absolutes
  Both include clear commands about murder, adultery, truthfulness, and honoring God.
• Community Impact
  Not just private spirituality—these teachings shape communities.

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Differences Between the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount

• Setting
  Ten Commandments: Given on Mt. Sinai to Israel after the Exodus.
  Sermon on the Mount: Spoken by Jesus on a hillside in Galilee.
• Audience
  Ten Commandments: Israel as a nation.
  Sermon: Disciples and crowds—all who would follow Jesus.
• Form
  Ten Commandments: Short, direct commands and prohibitions.
  Sermon: Extended teaching, examples, and illustrations.
• Focus
  Ten Commandments: External behaviors and moral boundaries.
  Sermon: Internal motives and heart transformation.
• Tone
  Ten Commandments: Authoritative covenant stipulations.
  Sermon: Radical reinterpretation and fulfillment of the Law.
• Examples
  Ten Commandments: "You shall not murder."
  Sermon: "Anyone who is angry with a brother will be subject to judgment."
• Relation to Law
  Ten Commandments: Foundation of Mosaic Law.
  Sermon: Fulfillment and deepening of the Law ("I have not come to abolish...").

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Patterns Found in Both

• Call to Holiness
  God’s people are to be distinct and set apart.
• Relational Emphasis
  Right relationship with God (worship, reverence, faithfulness).
  Right relationship with others (justice, respect, truthfulness).
• Blessing Linked to Obedience
  Ten Commandments: God’s favor and blessing in the land.
  Sermon: "Blessed are..." beatitudes describing flourishing life.
• Contrast with the World
  God’s way is countercultural.
  Rejecting idols (Commandments) and loving enemies (Sermon).
• Heart Orientation
  Ten Commandments include inner attitudes ("Do not covet").
  Sermon shows sin begins in the heart.

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Summary

The Ten Commandments are the foundation of covenant ethics for Israel, giving clear boundaries and communal laws. The Sermon on the Mount takes these principles deeper, emphasizing the heart, intentions, and the radical demands of the Kingdom of God.

Both teach that faithfulness to God is not just about avoiding bad actions, but about cultivating a transformed life that reflects God’s character.