The authors attempt to draw parallels between theological premises with AI -- landing squarely on the heart of Value Sensitive Design (VSD) and Human-Centered AI (HCAI). They aim for their audience to learn to engage with AI in specific ways that contribute to human flourishing, countering dystopian fears of AI replacing humans.

This book serves as a sound primer on AI for non-technical readers. The authors provide extensive background on theological premises, the nature of intelligence, transhumanism, and basic concepts like fact-checking information online. It reminds me of annotated bibliographies from graduate-level history courses: over 30% of the ebook ARC consists of selected references and endnote annotations. While the author has clearly researched the topic and includes a wide array of older, secular references, he quotes Yuval Noah Harari—a figure known for misogynistic, bigoted, and anti-religious views. For less widely-read individuals, this may not be an issue, but it raises questions about why a theologian would include someone whose beliefs contradict the book's goals.

Ultimately, this book is akin to "Omnivore's Dilemma" but with guidelines like: be judicious in your use of AI due to its real-world consequences (e.g., resource consumption altering landscapes) and intellectual/social impacts (e.g., perpetuating biases, affecting attention spans). As they write, "Technology is not neutral. It is value-laden."

They encourage their readers to use AI wisely—such as for translating content—but don't rely on it for creating sermons or songs of praise. Creation of praise is a human act; machines cannot pray. "Worship is something done for God and by humans." Such praise should be "authentic, unassisted, and unsullied by technology." One cannot become a Christian simply through desire or reading—"Christian formation and discipleship require deep rootedness in a faith community."

The authors recommend the following:

- "Lectio Divina" -- Deep reading and reflection, including private prayer and group discussion, to ensure information becomes part of one's inner self.
- Active Interaction with People -- Reclaiming the art of conversation, switching off AI (e.g., social media fasts), and setting routines so homes do not revolve around AI.
- Focal Practices -- Engaging in activities like reading actual books uninterrupted, practicing music, playing sports, creating arts or crafts, or walking in nature.

By seeking tangible, concrete practices, we recenter human experience on the immediate, material world and people—in other words: mindfulness.

Here's the plan that the authors recommend:

1. Embodied habits: cooking meals, nature walking, fishing, birding, painting, pottery, knitting, visual arts and crafts at least once a week.
2. Place habits to "anchor humans into a particular terra firma" such as gardening and homemaking (which encompasses hospitality, creating a warm welcoming atmosphere).
3. Time-bound habits: silent listening, prayer, sitting by a window quietly without devices, planned breaks from devices/social media, and observing the liturgical calendar which "is a richly communal and ecclesial way of engaging in time-bound habits."
4. Social habits: taking communion, sharing meals with others (like potlucks), mentoring others.

Overall, choosing intentionally those habits and activities which "rehumanize us against the dehumanizing effects of technology." Even as a non-Christian, I fully support these kinds of recommendations.

"We need to have grown-up conversations in our seminaries and churches to prepare" and "to really understand the technology and to live Christian lives in this new world." Finally - the authors affirm "we remain dedicated to a human-centered perspective, which emphasizes the materiality of creation and the creatureliness (the corporeality or embodiment) of humans." Machines are not people and never will be.

AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep Review

AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep – Leading and Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence was released on March 18, 2025. With the rise of generative AI (e.g. ChatGPT) in 2022, AI has made its way into many parts of daily life. AI can now perform tasks from writing college essays to composing worship music. How should Christians respond to this new AI technology?

Evaluation – AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep:
For a book about a complex technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI), AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep is thankfully easy to read and follow. The intended audience is not the tech savvy, but more the general public who has likely heard about AI but does not have any expertise. This book is geared towards those in ministry with a desire to understand the technology from a Christian perspective so they can help others.

The book includes many citations and presents a wide variety of perspectives on both the pros and cons of using AI. This can be helpful for those wanting to dig deeper into these topics. While presenting many perspectives, the authors don’t make many decisive claims or arguments themselves. They are presenting a way to think about technology more than providing conclusions. At the end, they do give examples of specific tasks where they recommend using or not using AI in a ministry context. Some of this applies well to Christians thinking about AI outside a ministry context, but not always in a straightforward way.

Book Summary – AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep:
With every new technology come questions about ethics and how to think wisely about the benefits and costs of incorporating the technology into our daily lives. AI has taken off in popularity in the last several years leading to widespread usage and a broad impact across many disciplines. The intersection of Christianity and AI is something we need to look at in detail through the lens of a biblical anthropology oriented toward human flourishing. We need to avoid the extremes of technologism (where machines are the savior to all our problems) and the neo-luddites (where we resent and resist new technology as an inherent threat).

"Our aim is to present a biblical-theological framework that will help educators and ministry leaders identify the perils and possibilities that lie before us. We believe this path is informed, theological, and accessible. It is informed because we have been working in these areas of technology for a while and, more specifically, have seen how they’ve evolved over the past ten years. It is theological because, as theologians, we are very familiar with the question about what it means to be human and made in the image of God in an age of AI. And the path is accessible because we are educators and know the importance of communicating concepts that may be completely new to some."

Definitions and History of AI:
The book begins with defining core technological concepts and the different types of AI. AI is based on algorithms. Algorithms are step-by-step instructions that AI uses to perform tasks. They can identify hidden patterns. They can evolve and learn over time. AI is already embedded in everything from refrigerators to global financial markets, from autonomous weapon systems to Amazon recommendations. It is a core part of how the world functions.

Types of AI:
Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI): has constraints for a specific task (Amazon recommendations)
Artificial General Intelligence (AGI): intelligence equal to humans
Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI): intelligence greater than humans
Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI): generates statistically probable outputs (ChatGPT)
Machine Learning: learns from data
Deep Learning: uses neural networks to analyze large, diverse sets of unstructured data

The authors provide a history of AI highlighting the key figures involved. They then provide a diverse range of perspectives and quotes that capture the current debate over the impact of AI on society. Some warn of the risk of AI taking over the world while others focus on the opportunity to enhance human capabilities. Others focus on the enormous environmental impact. AI has the capacity to change how we understand reality and how we make decisions. There are concerns due to the influence corporations can have by developing the technology to serve their financial interests.

The Impact of AI:
Next, the authors outline both the positive and negative potential impacts of AI on 13 aspects of society:

Religion, Spirituality, and Morality
Relationships
Education
Politics
Media, Entertainment, and Art
Economics and Business
Law and Judiciary
Science and Technology
Military and Defense
Foreign Relations
Transportation
Medicine and Healthcare
Environment

For example, in medicine and healthcare, AI has the ability to aid doctors in creating new medications, diagnosing complex diseases, and providing gene therapy. On the other hand, AI may have built in biases that can harm certain patients. AI can also be used to develop new biological weapons.

AI and Christianity – What Does it Mean to be Human?:
Next the authors provide their main thesis for how we should approach the intersection of Christianity and AI. They contend that Christians should evaluate AI through a robust biblical anthropology that is based in the purpose and nature of human beings. We should think about whether AI advances or hinders human flourishing. The authors provide a Creational Narrrative to understand the overall story of Scripture.

Creator: The triune God exists in a mutual loving relationship between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Everything exists to glorify God.
Creation: Originally, creation was created pure and complete. There is value in embodiment. God’s common grace extends to all creation. Humans are created in the image of God. God calls humans to rule in partnership with him.
Disintegration: Sin frustrates creation and causes decay and alienation.
Liberation: The incarnation, death, and resurrection of Jesus liberates all of creation and provides hope.
Reclamation: God is in the process of restoring and renewing creation through his people.
Glorification: The ultimate conclusion is a restored heaven and earth.

The Image of God (Imagio Dei):
The core part of what it means to be human is that humans are made in the image of God. The image of God can be understood using the framework of reason, relationship, and role.

Reason: Humans have a rational and moral nature that they use to provide order and structure.
Relationship: Humans are created for relationship with God and with each other.
Role: Humans have been given a vocation and authority to serve, guard, and name creation using the agency and power that comes from God.
What it means to be human in relation to technology, such as Christianity and AI, has changed over time. Technology extends human ability to shape the world around them. Technology alters how humans interact with their environment. The printing press led to an increase in individualism because people could learn to read and write on their own decreasing the need for communal reading and teaching.

Technology is not neutral. Technology adds or removes. It has embedded values that can sometime be hard to see. AI could make writing become obsolete. Humans create a digital projection of themselves that exist outside their physical reality and will persist beyond their death. AI could allow humans to direct their own evolution, determining body, mind, cognition, personality, and character through technology. This raises questions about what is required to remain human when so much can be replaced with technology.

Education:
Teaching is an essential part of how we need to think about AI and Christianity. The authors look at four areas where AI impacts education.

AI and Truth: As Christians, we focus on what is true. Misinformation and disinformation have become more common in news and social media with tools powered by AI. All information has become suspect and conspiracy theories are on the rise. AI influences our decisions when it comes to consumerism and politics. AI can hallucinate, making things up and presenting them as facts.
AI and the Flourishing of the Human Spirit: AI can be used as a co-creator and partner. AI can help Christians remain relevant in an increasingly technological age.

AI and the Accelerated Life: As Christians, we need to guard our hearts and our peace. We need to find time to slow down and disconnect from technology. We need to seek out practices like Lectio Divina that encourage us to slow down in our reading of Scripture. AI can generate content, but writing causes our minds to engage in reflection and logical thinking that could be lost.
AI and Family: Technology has created a culture where people remain physically near each other but stay focused on their devices instead of engaging with one another. People have become addicted to their devices and experience increasingly shorter attention spans. Christians need to set routines that push back against this and not just set limits.

Formation and Discipleship:
In addition to education, spiritual formation and discipleship are also important aspects of how we think about Christianity and AI. Human agency and the work of the Spirit are both active in the formation of our heart and soul. We need bodily, corporeal habits to form us. How we treat AI will impact how we begin to treat other people.

The authors discuss what they label as “Hearth Habits”. The hearth used to be the center of the home. There were focal things and focal practices that recenter human experience on the immediate and material external world. They use the metaphor of fire and logs to give examples of what this might look like.

Holy Spirit: Starter and sustainer of the fire in the hearth
Log 1: Embodied Habits – cooking, hiking, and painting
Log 2: Place Habits – gardening and homemaking
Log 3: Time-bound Habits – silent prayer and sacred church calendar/festivals
Log 4: Social Habits – Eucharist, hospitality, and service.
These “Hearth Habits” are ways that Christians can resist the influence that AI and other technologies can have on our attention and ability to connect with others around us. These technologies are shaping us, and we need to be intentional in creating routines that help us become more like Jesus.

Using AI in Ministry:
Ministry is another area where the intersection of AI and Christianity is important ot consider. The authors define ministry as the care for people through worship and witness in a local community. They provide specific recommendations for where to avoid using AI, where to be cautious about using AI, and where to go ahead and move forward using AI.

Don’t use AI:
- to write or deliver an entire sermon or Bible study. A sermon is designed to be a word from God, not just a word about God. A machine cannot hear a word from God. It doesn’t have a soul or a lived experience to draw on.
- as a substitute for interpersonal counseling. AI doesn’t have the emotional intelligence and intuition required.
- to write whole worship songs or design whole worship services. Worship is supposed to be for God by humans.

Cautiously use AI:
- to generate, research, and edit content for sermons and Bible studies. Avoid an over dependence on AI that could lead to laziness or plagiarism.
- to create job postings and volunteer descriptions. Watch out for biases.

Consider using AI:
- to produce content for social media, websites, and instructions. Aim for quality and not trendiness.
- for website management, optimization, and content editing.
- for Human Capital Management. It can provide new ways to recruit volunteers to the right positions.
- to expand God’s mission through language translation.

My Top Takeaways – AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep:

Intelligence Doesn’t Define What It Means to be Human:
What does it mean for humanity when machines become more intelligent than humans? If it is our intelligence that makes humans special, then AI is viewed more as a threat and a risk. In the Christian faith, God created humans in his image. It is the image of God that differentiates humanity from the rest of creation, not our level of intelligence. Artificial intelligence will never bare God’s image. Therefore, AI can never fully usurp what it means to be human because intelligence doesn’t define what it means to be human.

Given the centrality of humans in God’s story, I don’t think there can be a future where AI causes humans to cease to exist. Why would God let the rest of creation endure without humanity?

Technology Isn’t Neutral:
Some have argued that technology is a neutral tool that can either be used for good or evil. This argument doesn’t acknowledge the way that technology forms us in a specific way regardless of the righteousness of our motivation or the goodness of the outcome. The authors view AI as an accelerator for the technological trends that we are already seeing with the use of smartphones and social media. The smartphone is not a neutral tool. The way the smartphone allows us to engage the world around us changes our attention span, what we value, and opens us up to be formed by the content that others create for us. AI is created by corporations motivated by profit.

We need to be wise as we determine boundaries around the appropriate use of these new technologies. I agree with the authors about the need to slow down and be intentional with spiritual practices that will form us to be more like Jesus. Christianity and AI are often at odds with what is valued.

My Critiques – AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep:

Generative AI:
AI can refer to different types of technology. Generative AI has exploded in the last several years and appears to have the largest potential for impacting our lives due to its ability to create content. A majority of the points the authors make in this book are not specific to generative AI, or even AI in general. They are applicable to how we should view technology broadly speaking. I would have loved to hear more analysis around generative AI and Christianity specifically.

AI and Christianity – The Way the Spirit Works:
The authors claim that AI should not be used to generate whole sermons or worship services. While I agree with the overall claim, the reasoning provided focuses on the relationship between God and the preacher and not God and the audience. They claimed that a sermon is intended to be a word from God to his people. The preacher receives a word from God and communicates it to the people. Because AI doesn’t have a soul, it cannot receive this word from God. I think this ignores the way the Spirit works in those who hear the sermon. Regardless of the origin of the content, God can use it to communicate his gospel and his word to his people, even AI generated content. I think the impact is more on the preacher than the congregation.

It is also worth noting that AI is trained on existing content, much of which is created by humans receiving a word from God. AI isn’t creating a sermon from nothing. The authors’ claim that the Silicon Valley corporations that create these AI models do not have pure, unbiased motivations in what content is created should still be heeded as a wise caution in how we think about Christianity and AI.

Human Dignity Over Human Flourishing:
The authors main thesis is that technology should be evaluated based on whether it advances or hinders human flourishing. My critique is that human flourishing is not the ultimate value or goal that Christians should use to measure the impact. Flourishing brings to mind success, prosperity, wealth, pleasure, and an easy life. Even at a minimum, it would entail a certain level of comfort and a lack of suffering.

There are several problems with this approach. First, the definition of flourishing is going to look very different to different people. The partisan politics in America in recent years has highlighted the fact that many evangelicals have wildly different ideas for what flourishing looks like. AI could be used by someone in a way that they believe advances flourishing and another believes that the same thing hinders flourishing.

Second, flourishing is not how Jesus would describe the Christian life. Sometimes we are called to suffer with Christ. Following Jesus has a cost. It is possible to reframe suffering as flourishing with the right perspective, but I don’t think that is what is being communicated in this book. There could be situations that lead to human flourishing at the expense of the people using it or consuming it.

I think focusing on human dignity instead of human flourishing would be more appropriate. Human dignity is a clearer biblical value and there would likely be more of a consensus on what advances or hinders dignity. There could also be examples of using technology that would advance human flourishing at the cost of human dignity. In that case, I would choose dignity over flourishing.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

An Advanced Review Copy was provided by the publisher in Exchange for a review.

In the realm of AI, where we're pushing the boundaries of what machines can do, "AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep" by Sean O'Callaghan is like a roadmap through the uncharted territory of integrating AI into education and ministry.

Content:
This book dives deep into how AI can revolutionize teaching and preaching. O'Callaghan isn’t just talking about replacing jobs but enhancing human creativity and spiritual connection. Here's what he says:

"Machines can now take on work once thought to be solely the domain of human beings—from writing college essays to composing worship music."
This is the kind of disruption we need, not to sideline humans but to amplify our capabilities.

"AI can write a generic three-point sermon, but it cannot replace an authentic encounter between humans and the divine."
True, AI might not capture the soul of human interaction, but it's a tool for those moments when inspiration needs a boost.

"Avoiding both alarmism and uncritical acceptance, O'Callaghan and Hoffman offer resources and practical tools for using AI in our classrooms and congregations."
This balanced view is crucial; we must navigate AI's potential with wisdom, not fear or blind faith.

"The authors shed light on the biblical vision for human flourishing—and on how AI can help or hinder that flourishing."
It's about understanding the dual-edged sword of technology; we must use it to elevate human life, not diminish it.

"In a time of cultural confusion, O'Callaghan and Hoffman encourage readers to embrace the clarity found in the gospel."
Clarity in our confused times is what we're all after, isn't it? AI might help us navigate, but the compass remains human.

Ratings Breakdown:

Innovation: 8/10 - The book doesn't just talk AI; it explores how it can be woven into the very fabric of teaching and spiritual guidance, which is pretty groundbreaking.
Practicality: 7/10 - It provides actionable insights, though I'd love to see more on how to implement these in diverse educational environments.
Depth of Analysis: 9/10 - O'Callaghan goes beyond surface-level discussion, diving into ethical implications, which is essential for any tech adoption.
Optimism vs. Realism: 8/10 - Strikes a good balance, offering hope without ignoring the pitfalls.
Inspirational Value: 7/10 - While it's not going to make you jump out of your seat, it does light a path for thoughtful integration of AI in human-centric fields.

Conclusion:

"AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep" isn't just another book on AI; it's a manual for those of us who see AI not as a replacement but as an augmentation to human endeavor in education and beyond. O'Callaghan provides a vision where AI can be the shepherd, guiding us towards new possibilities while reminding us of our uniquely human qualities.

"We're at a pivotal moment where we can decide if AI will be a tool for human enlightenment or a mere echo of our own voices. This book is a guide map for choosing the former."
If you're in education or ministry, or just passionate about the intersection of technology and humanity, this book is worth your time. It’s a call to action to use AI wisely and with purpose, ensuring that in our pursuit of progress, we don't forget what makes us human

AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep offers an accessible introduction to artificial intelligence for a lay audience, focusing heavily on its implications for Christians. The book is structured with clarity, featuring summaries and discussion questions at the end of each chapter, making it a practical resource for church book studies or small group discussions. It delves into the basics of AI technology, its history, current applications, and its potential risks—all filtered through a biblical lens.

While the book is effective at explaining AI to newcomers, its insistence on interpreting the subject through Christian theology limits its universal appeal. This approach can feel, at times, like efforts to connect astrology to astronomy—there may be shared data points, but the moral framework tied to Christianity narrows the scope of its insights. The moralizing tone and exclusive connection to Christian faith make it harder to resonate with readers who approach AI from global, secular, or interfaith perspectives.

The chapters on Christian formation and ministry leadership in the age of AI offer thoughtful prompts for believers navigating this new technological landscape. However, by focusing so singularly on Christian audiences, the authors miss an opportunity to contribute ideas that could inspire a broader, more universal dialogue about ethical AI practices. Instead of fostering globally relevant conversations, the book seems designed primarily to reassure Christians about integrating AI into their worldview.

On the positive side, the book succeeds in raising awareness about the risks and benefits of AI, and it encourages readers to think critically about its role in their lives. For Christians, it may serve as a starting point for grappling with these issues. However, readers looking for a more comprehensive or globally inclusive exploration of AI ethics might find this book too narrowly focused.

This new and upcoming book release, AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep – Leading and Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence by Sean O’Callaghan; Paul A. Hoffman covers explaining what AI (artificial intelligence) is, the history of it, how it is being used, and the future of AI. Along with the pros and cons from a biblical perspective. I personally learned a lot! I recommend everyone read this or least start researching this information yourself.

The book is set up with a summary and questions at the end of each chapter, making it a great book to use in a book study group or to discuss with others. The first part of the book goes into explaining what AI is and the potential risks, along with how it is currently being used. Some of this is very worrisome, and it is beneficial for us to be aware of it so that we can be prepared and learn how to use it as Christians. The chapters on How Should Christians Be Formed and Discipled in the Age of AI & How Should Ministry Leaders Approach AI is something all churches should read and discuss.

Here are a few of my highlights I took while I read:

Artificial intelligence, with its far-reaching impacts, isn’t going away, and it will challenge us…
Sometimes, we won’t even be aware that it is running our lives, our surroundings, in the background.
AI can unearth new drugs that heal and unearth drugs that destroy human life on a massive scale.
The consumption of resources required to construct AI is altering landscapes across the globe.
Everything-including humans and all forms of technology – exists for His purposes and glory and should align with His revealed character and Word.
Humans must not over-rely on machine learning. If they do, they are in danger…
AI has the potential to make humans less human. At the same time, AI has the potential to help humans…
Technology is not neutral. It is value laden; it leads us in certain directions, and it prompts us to do or use this instead of that.
AI can develop psychological tricks to gain trust and influence, reading and manipulating our emotions and behaviors with a frightening level of depth…
One estimate is that by 2026, up to 90% of what we see on our screens will be the product of generative AI.
No space if free of AI generated noise.
We risk losing the ability to think deliberately.
How do we prepare our congregations, students, and ministers to flourish and teach others how to flourish in a world that is saturated with AI?

This is a thoughtful, thorough resource for Christians considering how to engage with AI. The authors do not take an extreme side whether Christians should or should not use AI; instead, they argue that if we engage with AI, we should do so with thought and care.

Even though this book approaches AI from a Christian perspective (the first I’ve seen to do so), the first part of the book is a great resource for anyone seeking to understand AI. The authors explain the history and different types of AI. Additionally, they discuss the implications of AI - benefits AND drawbacks - in a variety of fields. I am impressed with how many areas of life they explore, from medicine to media to missions (and more).

When the authors deepen their exploration of AI from a Christian perspective, I find their assertion uniquely thoughtful and convincing. They argue that humanity should be valued (over AI) as God’s special, beloved creation, designed for reasoning and relationship - even if we don’t do either perfectly. This certainly applies to discipleship relationships.

Additionally, as an educator, I find Chapter 5 especially useful, particularly its assertion that deep reading like lectio divina can be done with any text.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. It is well-written and well-researched, highly informative while remaining accessible (including fun pop culture references).
Though this is a relatively short text, I know I will return to it often; it is a rich resource with a lot of ideas to consider and further explore. I appreciate that there are reflection questions at the end of each chapter. The topic of AI certainly merits a lot of reflection, and that’s something AI can’t do for us.

Thank you to NetGalley and Baker for the free eARC. I post this review with my honest opinions.