“Hey ChatGPT, what are Shawn Brace’s theological views?”

Exploring some of the benefits and limits of A.I. for theological reflection

Photo by Jonathan Kemper on Unsplash

(A ten-minute read.)

A couple weeks ago, just on a whim, my brother-in-law—who’s a tech guy—decided to plug my name into ChatGPT to see what would show up. He specifically asked what my theological and philosophical views were, and then shared what it wrote with me.

The results were fascinating!

I don’t want to come across as vain in this post, but I thought I’d share a bit of what A.I. has determined about my theology. The exercise, to me, is quite helpful because it sort of provides an “objective” perspective on what I at least express publicly, and helps me see some of the “blind spots” in those public articulations.

I think, by and large, it does a fairly good job of summarizing what I’ve shared publicly—at least of late (when my brother-in-law asked it to summarize my views prior to 2016, it said it didn’t have any data on that to search—which is a strange claim, seeing that I started a blog in 2007, which I basically shelved a decade later, where I shared a lot of very dogmatic viewpoints. So ChatGPT seems to have some kinks to work out).

So here are a few things ChatGPT said about my views—which could perhaps serve as a good introduction to those who may be relatively new to my newsletter (though, as I’ll share after, I’m not sure it captures the full scope of my theology).

Shawn Brace’s key philosophical perspectives on Christianity, as evident from his writings and approaches to ministry, can be summarized as follows:

            1.         Missional Approach Over Attractional Model: Brace advocates for a shift from the traditional attractional model of church, which relies on programs and events to bring people to the church, to a missional approach. This approach views the church not as a program or a building, but as a people sent out into the world to live out the gospel in everyday life. It emphasizes engaging with and serving the community as the hands and feet of Jesus.

            2.         Emphasis on Community and Belonging: He believes that people are seeking a sense of family and belonging more than a traditional church experience. This is encapsulated in his book title The Table I Long For, which symbolizes a place where everyone is welcome to sit, listen, and belong, mirroring the idea of a family gathering.

            3.         Rethinking Traditional Theological Assumptions: Brace’s journey into a more missional-focused life led him to challenge some of his traditional theological views. He emphasizes the importance of relying on Jesus for security, rather than on personal behaviors or doctrinal correctness.

            4.         Inclusivity and Valuing Individual Stories: He promotes inclusivity within the church, valuing the stories of all individuals, regardless of their faith background. This is illustrated in his engagement with diverse groups, including atheists, and highlighting their importance and value within the church community.

5.         Adapting to Contemporary Society: Brace’s approach reflects an understanding of the need for the church to be relevant and accessible in a modern, increasingly secular society. His methods and philosophies aim to address the questions and needs of today’s generation, focusing on whether the Christian message is practical and transformative in people’s lives.

My brother-in-law then asked ChatGPT to offer some “counterpoints” to my theological outlook, and it provided this:

Shawn Brace’s philosophical viewpoints, particularly his emphasis on a missional approach, community engagement, and rethinking traditional theological assumptions, can be contrasted with several theological counterpoints that represent more traditional or conservative Christian perspectives:

1. **Importance of Doctrinal Purity**: Traditionalists often emphasize strict adherence to established doctrines and theological purity. They might argue that Brace’s openness to rethinking theological assumptions could lead to doctrinal dilution or compromise essential Christian beliefs.

2. **Centrality of the Church Building and Gatherings**: While Brace emphasizes a church without walls, engaging in the community, traditional views often stress the importance of the physical church building and regular congregational gatherings as central to Christian worship and community life.

3. **Evangelism through Proclamation**: Traditional evangelism often focuses on preaching and teaching, aiming to convert individuals through clear presentation of doctrinal truths. This contrasts with Brace’s approach, which emphasizes living out the gospel in everyday life and engaging in relationships as a form of witness.

4. **Role of Tradition and Historical Practices**: Conservative viewpoints may value the role of tradition and historical practices in shaping church life and worship. They might see Brace’s innovative approaches as a departure from valuable, time-tested methods of church functioning and community interaction.

5. **Fear of Relativism**: Some might argue that Brace’s approach, particularly his openness to questioning and re-evaluating beliefs, could lead to a slippery slope toward relativism, where absolute truths are downplayed, and personal experience or cultural relevance is overly emphasized.

6. **Concerns about Secular Influence**: Brace’s willingness to engage deeply with secular society and incorporate aspects of it into church life could be seen by some as risking the secularization of the church, where secular values and norms begin to overshadow distinctively Christian beliefs and practices.

7. **Authority of Scripture**: Traditional perspectives often hold to a high view of biblical authority, with Scripture being the primary guide for faith and practice. There might be concerns that Brace’s experiential and community-focused approach could, intentionally or not, subordinate Scripture to human experience or societal trends.

It’s important to note that these counterpoints represent a spectrum of thought within Christian theology and are not universally held by all traditional or conservative Christians. The diversity within Christianity allows for a wide range of approaches to faith, practice, and community engagement.

In summary, Shawn Brace’s philosophical perspectives on Christianity are centered around a missional approach to church, emphasizing community, inclusivity, and the practical application of the gospel in everyday life. His approach challenges traditional models and seeks to make the church more relevant and engaging in contemporary society.

I then noted how it seemed to pick up that I talk a lot about inclusivity, which seemed to make it sound like I was theologically wishy-washy. So my brother-in-law then asked ChatGPT to further analyze those particular views. This is what it said:

Shawn Brace’s views on inclusivity, particularly in the context of Christian faith and practice, reflect a thoughtful and balanced approach. He emphasizes the importance of not only believing in truth but embodying it in our actions and interactions with others. Brace critiques what he terms “excarnational” theology, where truth is acknowledged in theory but not lived out in practice. This perspective suggests that truth is not fully communicated unless it is embodied in our actions and relationships.

Furthermore, Brace’s views on inclusivity extend to racial reconciliation and justice. He openly discusses his journey from skepticism towards Black History Month during his undergraduate years to a deeper understanding of the ongoing pain and marginalization experienced by people of color. He acknowledges the importance of racial reconciliation as a fundamental aspect of the gospel, challenging the notion that highlighting racial disparities and exclusion is divisive. Brace prefers to risk offending some with his words rather than remaining silent on these critical issues. His approach involves actively listening to the experiences of others and then taking action based on that understanding.

Brace’s perspective on inclusivity, therefore, is not limitless but grounded in a desire to authentically live out Christian principles, including justice, reconciliation, and integrity in relationships. His views call for a practical and active embodiment of faith that extends beyond mere doctrinal correctness to a lived experience of Christian values.

Lastly, my brother-in-law asked ChatGPT to assess which theologians my perspectives most closely resembled, and this is what it came up with:

Based on Shawn Brace’s writings and perspectives, especially his emphasis on a missional church approach, inclusivity, and the embodiment of truth, he shares similarities with several theologians and Christian thinkers:

1. **N.T. Wright**: A renowned New Testament scholar, Wright emphasizes the practical implications of faith in everyday life. His works often focus on how Christian beliefs should be lived out, aligning with Brace’s emphasis on the embodiment of truth.

2. **Dietrich Bonhoeffer**: Known for his emphasis on authentic Christian community and living out one’s faith in the midst of societal challenges, Bonhoeffer’s theology of ‘Costly Grace’ and the importance of Christian action in the world parallels Brace’s call for an active, embodied faith.

3. **Henri Nouwen**: A Catholic priest and writer, Nouwen emphasized the importance of deep personal relationships and compassion in Christian ministry. His focus on pastoral care and the nurturing of community resonates with Brace’s community-centric approach.

4. **Stanley Hauerwas**: A theologian known for his work in Christian ethics, Hauerwas emphasizes the church as a distinct community that embodies Christian virtues, a perspective that aligns with Brace’s vision of the church as a transformative community.

5. **Brian McLaren**: A leading figure in the emerging church movement, McLaren advocates for a more inclusive and less doctrinally rigid form of Christianity, focusing on practical living and social justice, themes that are also central in Brace’s writings.

6. **Francis Schaeffer**: Known for his apologetics and emphasis on the reality of the Christian worldview in all areas of life, Schaeffer’s approach to faith as a holistic and practical lifestyle shares similarities with Brace’s integrated view of faith and action.

These theologians, each in their own way, share Shawn Brace’s concern for a faith that is not only professed but also practiced, influencing one’s actions and interactions within the broader community and world.

As I said, it was a fascinating and enlightening exercise.

Again, not to sound vain, but lately I’ve been day-dreaming about one day having someone write a dissertation on my theology—not because I think I’m an important figure, but just because I’d love for someone else to examine everything I’ve written so they can help me figure out what exactly the themes and emphases are in my own theology.

But perhaps ChatGPT is good enough!

I think there are drawbacks, of course—at least at this stage in A.I. development. It can’t scour my books, for example, as those are not publicly accessible. And it apparently hasn’t figured out how to search older materials. If it did, it would—presumably—be able to determine that my theological outlook is more nuanced and doctrinally robust, I believe.

At the end of the day, it’s an interesting exercise for me, showing some of the benefits of this type of technology. I think it did a good job of summarizing my current thinking, especially when it comes to mission, community, contextualization, and inclusion.

At the same time, it did show some of the potential blind spots in the public articulation of my viewpoints, because I think I’m probably a little less sold out to “inclusion,” for example, than it picked up—and I’m not sure just how much I truly want to “question traditional theological assumptions,” so much as figure out how to better articulate them for a post-Christian context.

Also, when it offered some potential objections to my theology, it apparently assumed that only “conservative” or “traditional” people might have concerns with it—but apparently not people on the more “progressive” side of Christianity?

Either—contrary to what I wrote a few weeks ago—I’ve just completely sold out to “progressive Christianity,” or my public theology hasn’t done a very good job of explicitly noting my points of departure from it (or the third possibility is that ChatGPT simply didn’t accurately notice the dissimilarities—though I’m guessing it’s most likely the second option).

Lastly, I was amused by the theologians I supposedly most closely resemble. It hit it out of the park with N. T. Wright and Henri Nouwen. I also love Bonhoeffer. I’ve never read Hauerwas, though; I’m somewhat ambivalent about McLaren (no offense—if he ever comes across this); and, from what I know about Schaeffer (whom I’ve never read), there may be some similarities but also some significant differences.

Also, ChatGPT is apparently wholly ignorant of the theologian who’s easily been the biggest influence on my thinking (either that, or it’s determined our views don’t align that much): Ellen White.

I’m not sure if this exercise was as interesting for you as it was for me, but it hopefully at least gives you a little more insight into some of my values and views, and allows you to determine how much you want to stick around to read my perspectives in the future.

---

Shawn is a pastor in Maine, whose life, ministry, and writing focus on incarnational expressions of faith. The author of four books and a columnist for Adventist Review, he is also a DPhil (PhD) candidate at the University of Oxford, focusing on nineteenth-century American Christianity. You can follow him on Instagram, and listen to his podcast Mission Lab.