The power of the written word
The assistance of AI in the future
What that means for authors and for God’s Kingdom.
I have a neighbor is a physical therapist. We’re friendly, but not friends. She is very private and works a lot. Sharing God’s love with her is a challenge.
A couple of years ago when I wrote Embracing the Broken, I needed her help. I told her my main character was a physical therapist. I had a couple of scenes in the therapy office. I wanted to make sure my details were accurate, so I asked her if she could proofread those scenes to tell me if they were on point. She told me they were and expressed interest in reading the book when it was finished.
After publication, I gave her the book to read. She told me she really enjoyed it. Then I gave her a copy of Mistaken Destiny, the following book in the series, and she took it on vacation with her. She said she read it in three days and couldn’t put it down. She said she especially liked the spiritual message, though as far as I know, though she’s generally open to spiritual topics, she isn’t yet a born-again believer.
What living next door, inviting her to church and other events couldn’t open in my neighbor, a book did. That’s the power of Christian fiction. Truth transmitted through story, read by the same people who probably don’t want to hear about our faith or go to church.
And of course, Christian fiction uplifts and entertains Christians who already have the same worldview and are thirsty to read stories that reinforce it instead of tear it down.
Project that potential impact to reach the lost at home and around the world. They may have hearts currently closed to the Gospel, but they can be opened through story. They read about realistic people who go through situations where they apply their faith and God responds…and maybe their eyes will be opened!
Another Layer…A. I.
My commitment is to keep writing, keep improving my ability to tell a story, and make sure God’s truth is woven throughout each one. As an author, I create the story, the message as God inspires it. But the A. I. revolution can actually help in spreading God’s truth… not hinder, as some
might think. With these tools, I can create audiobooks, translate them, translate books, and make them all available to many countries where people can’t easily hear the Gospel.
Recently, I visited a couple who have worked with a Bible translation mission for years. The husband stated that the rate of translation of the Bible to people groups who don’t have it has accelerated greatly with the help of Artificial Intelligence, A. I. God can use it for His Kingdom! If we use A. I. ethically, it can be a tool to break down barriers in our work. And God can use anything he wants!
The future in quite interesting, isn’t it? As the world tilts in a direction that seems further away from God, we know (and rejoice in the fact) that he is still in control, using even modern technology to expand his Kingdom. A tool in our hands, be it a book, a series, a movie we’ve created, or other tech tools available to us, including A. I., empowered and led by God’s power and wisdom, can yield fruit that can reach into eternity.
Regardless of tools, platforms, and everything else out there, we are the tools. God is the fuel. And the potential is endless.