Date: April 21, 2026
Virginia Theological Seminary and The General Theological Seminary are today sharing a thoughtful statement on the faithful use of Generative AI in church and academy. It affirms that human beings, not machines, remain the true authors and moral agents of our words and actions. It insists that technology must always serve human dignity, community, and the common good.
The statement offers practical guidance for congregational leaders, educators, and authors, outlining when and how Gen AI can be used responsibly. It urges users not to bypass the intellectual and spiritual “struggle” that forms depth, wisdom, and skill. It also highlights both the benefits of AI (especially for accessibility) and the serious concerns around privacy, ecology, and marginalized voices.
Recognizing that we are in a rapidly changing technological moment, the statement encourages ongoing discernment, honesty, and prayerful reflection. It is designed to help Christian communities engage AI neither with fear nor with uncritical enthusiasm, but with clear theological and ethical commitments. I encourage you to read the full statement here and share it widely as you and your communities discern faithful practices for using Generative AI.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and the President of The General Theological Seminary.