Eulalie

Thesis: Using Generative AI to create text for Christian books can be acceptable, provided it is done thoughtfully, with care, discernment, and a foundation of continual prayer.

Some people may question the use of artificial intelligence in writing Christian material. I understand that concern. In fact, I share it. AI, like any tool, can be misused. Some people may use it indiscriminately, relying on it to churn out large volumes of unreviewed, low-quality work. Christian books are often seen as sacred work, shaped by prayer, Scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. So when a machine gets involved, it’s natural to wonder: is this still spiritual? Is this still faithful?

My answer is yes. Here's why.

I don’t use AI to replace prayer, conviction, or discernment. I use it to help express ideas that might otherwise stay trapped in silence. The truth is, there are things I have carried in my heart for years. Things I’ve long wanted to share, but simply haven’t found the time or space to fully articulate. Life is full, and writing takes energy I don’t always have. I know what I want to say, but the process of moving that understanding from my head to paper is very costly.

With AI’s help, I can get a first draft, a structure, or even just a phrase that gets me moving. From there, I read carefully, I edit, I improve, I remove what doesn’t belong. I don’t claim to have written every word with my own hand. But I stand by every word with full responsibility. I have owned the message, shaped the form, and sought God’s wisdom through every step.

AI also helps me focus more of my time and energy where it truly matters: developing the message. Rather than getting stuck in the fine details of wording or formatting, I can invest my attention in refining the thesis, strengthening the logic, and ensuring clarity of purpose. I can step back and ask: is this what I really mean to say? That kind of thinking requires headspace, and AI gives me more of it.

This is especially important in languages like Japanese, where Christian resources are far more limited than in English. If technology can help bring biblical truth to those who have less access, then I believe that is not only acceptable but urgent. I would rather speak imperfectly with help than remain silent and let the message go unheard.

To those who read what I publish, I want to be upfront. The process involved AI. That said, the message comes from a place of conviction, prayer, and responsibility. I may not be the author of every sentence, but I am the owner of this work. And I believe that what needs to be said, should be said.

AI is simply a tool. Like a pen, a printing press, or a microphone, it depends on whose hands it’s in and how it’s used. If we delegate things that tools do well to the tools, then we can spend more time and energy on the things we, as humans, do best. It’s like using a washing machine instead of a washboard. No one would say you're less clean because you used the right tool. What matters is that the process was done with care, purpose, and faithfulness. In the right hands, any tool can be used for God's glory and to advance His kingdom.

Many Christians turn to 12-step-style programs that mix Scripture with recovery principles. These programs often share personal stories of change and use biblical language. But from a biblical counseling perspective, there are concerns about how sound they are theologically and how effective they are long term.

One major concern is how these programs define sin and responsibility. They often describe human struggles in psychological terms like trauma, low self-esteem, or dysfunction. This can downplay the seriousness of sin and shift the focus away from repentance. The Bible says sin comes from the heart—from pride and self-centeredness—not just from past pain. Calling addiction a disease or a lifelong condition can also shift blame and weaken hope for full freedom in Christ.

Many of these programs also link spiritual growth to an ongoing recovery process. They encourage people to keep attending meetings and working the steps indefinitely. Community and accountability matter, but this model can stall real spiritual growth. Biblical change involves repentance, renewal through God’s Word, and active life in the local church. It’s not just about managing behavior—it’s about becoming more like Christ.

There’s also the issue of therapeutic ideas like self-forgiveness, calling yourself an addict, or using vague terms like “higher power.” These may be well-meaning, but they often blur the gospel message. The Bible calls us to die to self, walk in new life, and find our identity in Christ. A believer isn’t defined by past sins but by being united with Jesus. A former addict, in God’s eyes, is now a redeemed child.

Finally, many programs run separately from the church. They can form their own spiritual circles without pastoral care or connection to the body of Christ. But God designed the church to be the place for discipleship, healing, and accountability. Outside programs might help for a time, but they can’t replace the full truth, care, and growth that come through the church. If we want to serve those struggling with addiction faithfully, we need to stay rooted in Scripture, centered on Christ, and connected to the local church.

In a lot of churches, the word counseling kind of trips people up.

It’s got history, sure. Back in the 70s and 80s, Jay Adams was saying, hey, let’s bring this stuff back under Scripture. Let’s stop handing off care to psychology that doesn’t start with God. And so biblical counseling became a thing. A category. A movement. Especially in seminaries, training programs, that kind of space. And it made sense there. Still does.

But in the everyday life of a church? The word sometimes doesn’t land quite right.

Like, people hear counseling and think... what? Offices, appointments, specialists. Maybe clipboards. And it can start to feel like, “Oh, that’s for serious problems,” or, “I’m not in crisis, I just… I don’t know, need someone to sit with me.” Or maybe it feels like they’re being referred out. Like they asked for help and got scheduled instead.

Which isn’t what biblical counseling is about. At least not here. Not in the rhythms of church life.

Because here, it’s not clinical. It’s not distant. It’s just… people showing up for each other. Listening. Caring. Speaking truth with love. Not always polished. Definitely not always tidy. It’s grounded in Scripture, yeah. But also in compassion. In time. In being present.

And it’s not exactly discipleship, not in the broader sense, though sure, it overlaps. It’s more focused. More specific. Like when someone’s going through something and doesn’t know how to keep going, or where God is in it. And someone else comes alongside with grace and patience and walks with them. That’s counseling. That counts.

Think of the Christian life like a river. You get in and start following Jesus. Some stretches are smooth. Some are whitewater. Sometimes you hit a rock. Or drift sideways. Or your raft just kind of… gives out. And you’re there, stuck, and don’t know how to get back in the flow. That’s where this kind of care steps in. Not to diagnose you. Just to help. To patch things up and paddle together for a while.

Maybe words like soul care or heart care or even just one-anothering say it better. They sound more like what it actually is. Not formal. Not clinical. Just… real.

We still use counseling when we’re training folks. It fits the category. Has history. Keeps us anchored in Scripture. That matters. But when we’re caring for each other in the church—when someone’s hurting or stuck or just tired—we’re not handing them off. We’re pulling them in. Inviting them deeper into the body.

So yeah, maybe the language we use should sound more like that. More like people, less like programs. More like presence. Less like protocol. Just something that feels like, “Hey, I see you. Let’s walk this together.”

Some people say you should read the Bible from beginning to end. There are reading plans that help you finish it in a year, sometimes even faster. Many claim it’s a life-changing habit. I’ve done it once. But to be honest, I don’t feel the need to do it again.

Instead, I keep coming back to a few specific passages. I’ll read them over and over. Sometimes 20 times in a single day, until they sink in.

Not every part of the Bible feels relevant to me right now. Detailed instructions for building the temple or long lists of names in the Old Testament are important, but they don’t always help me feel closer to God. In fact, they can pull my attention away from the verses that speak to my heart.

There’s only so much Scripture I can really carry with me. I’m not trying to memorize the whole thing. I want to hold on to a few key truths that stay with me when I’m afraid, lost, or struggling. I don’t want information. I want fellowship. I want intimacy with the Lord. That kind of trust takes time. It comes from focus, not from covering as much ground as possible.

Some people grow by reading the whole Bible in a year. That’s great. But I’ve learned it’s okay to go at my own pace. I don’t want to rush just to check a box. If one passage speaks to me, I’ll stay with it for as long as I need to. Sometimes that’s days. Sometimes it’s weeks. I believe God can use even a single verse to change my entire life.

Jesus didn’t quote full scrolls when He taught or when He faced temptation. He used short, powerful truths. That’s what I want too. A few verses so deep in my heart that they guide my life.

So no, I don’t follow a Bible reading plan. I read with purpose. I read with my heart. And for me, that’s enough.

Here are some passages that I have read many times:

• Psalm 23: 500+ times
• Philippians 2: 100+ times
• 1 John: 50+ times
• Matthew 5: 50+ times

What should be the goal of a Bible study?

Reading the Bible is easy, applying Biblical wisdom to your actions and words in everyday situations is hard. Bible verses go in one ear and out the other. Easy to forget even what you read this morning or heard at church.

I think a Bible study should be focused on making that connection. Bridge the gap between study and practice. Should it be a “Bible practice” instead of Bible study?

How can this be accomplished?

First, understand each phrase. What does it really mean? What have you always thought it meant, is that what it really means? Do we need to refine our understanding? Dive into how each phrase can be applied to real life. Talk about this with as many specifics and personal stories as possible.

Practice acting out Biblical wisdom in simulated situations that tempt us to act out of line with God’s word. Sound silly? It definitely seems like it would help us absorb God’s word.