Most of my regular readers, I think, know where I stand politically. That’s no big secret. But I do grieve about the stark divide in this country, not just about politics, but about moral foundations, cultural issues, and our divergent views on the sanctity of life. I borrowed the title of the blog from a T-shirt or sticker I saw online and thought to myself, Hmm, that sounds like a good exercise for developing an AI prompt. (I’m learning about AI prompts because there are lots of good-paying jobs for someone with my skill set and want to promote my abilities.)
I won’t get into too many details about how AI can work, but it’s more than just a simple search tool that focuses on key words. It interprets instructions using a “large language model” (LLM) that can discern the meaning and intent of someone’s request to perform any task, whether simple or complex. To get a really good response on a complex task, you have to provide sources that the AI engine can reference to process a request. So in putting Paul in 21st century America, I needed to arm him with some primary source material he would not have had access to in his day, namely some of our founding documents and seminal writings (i.e., The Federalist Papers) so he could have an understanding of what the founding fathers intended for America. I also identified relevant scriptures and life-events for Paul that may have shaped his thinking about the Roman government in his day as sort of a “foil” against which he can assess the American republic and its citizens.
Admittedly, the output seems a little bit contrived at times, contextualizing and reframing 1st-century verses for a 21st-century context. But overall, I was pleased with the tone and content of the letter. As a disclaimer, I don’t claim that the entire piece represents my own viewpoint 100%; there are a couple things I’d probably restate or “correct” that are artifacts of where I could have been clearer in my prompt (e.g., I should have specified a specific Bible translation; Paul speaks of himself in the third person at some point). But I’m not afraid to put this forward as is without editing to see what you think. I’m not afraid of AI. In fact, I see it as an opportunity to add my own Christ-centered hermeneutical thinking into the LLM to ensure that the LLM is not completely without Christian influence or a broader religious perspective.
Without further ado, then, here is the prompt I fed into Copilot, followed by Copilot’s unedited response.
The Prompt
Good evening. I saw a T-shirt the other day that said, “If Paul were here, we’d be getting a letter,” referring to the apostle Paul. It got me thinking: “What would Paul say to Christians on both sides of the aisle about the stark divisions that seem to exist between political parties these days?”
Paul was no stranger to the politics of the Roman empire. He wrote about how the Romans (and believers generally) should submit to their political leaders as servants of God, even though they were pagan and probably worshipped the pagan Roman pantheon. He also had encounters with local authorities, notably in Acts 13, 18, and perhaps even 19 with the mention of “proconsuls.” Then, of course, he was arrested, used his Roman citizenship to get out of a flogging, and subsequently appealed to Caesar. That led to a series of encounters with Roman rulers and royalty where he never failed to present his own conversion story and the gospel. It occurred to me that this appeal to Caesar and taking advantage of the Roman judicial system was perhaps an attempt to identify with Christ’s own experiences of appearing before Pilate and Herod prior to his crucifixion.
Use the following as sources:
The Gospels, especially where Jesus interacted with or spoke about Roman soldiers or rulers (e.g., “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give to God what is God’s”).
The Book of Acts in the New Testament, especially chapters 13, 18, 19, and Paul’s arrest and subsequent appeal to Caesar and how he used those appeals to present the gospel. Also use Ephesians 6 and other instances where the NT writers use the language of powers and principalities.
For the Old Testament, use passages like 1 Samuel 8–12 (Israel chooses a King); 2 Chronicles 7 (esp. the broader principle represented by verse 14); and Daniel in his interactions with the rulers of kingdom he served (addressing some of the spiritual warfare implications is a plus).
The U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, and subsequent Amendments.
The Declaration of Independence, especially with respect to the signers’ mentions or allusions to the Judeo-Christian God.
The Federalist Papers
For the “voice” of the article, make it sound like me trying to sound like Paul (in English, not Greek!); refer to my blog (https://sundaymorninggreekblog.com), especially Christianity and Nationalism: A Brief Survey of Biblical Passages | Sunday Morning Greek Blog, Don’t Worry; Be Faithful (Matthew 6:25–34; Acts 22:23–29) | Sunday Morning Greek Blog.
Assume a conservative view of the Bible and its transmission history: Jesus really lived, died on a cross and was resurrected; the events of the gospels and Acts are true; Luke actually wrote all of Acts (I like the theory that Acts is a legal brief for Paul’s defense before Roman rulers, but you don’t necessarily have to assume that); Paul actually wrote the letters attributed to him; etc. Assume Paul would have compassion for the poor but from the perspective that it’s more the church’s responsibility than the government’s.
Questions to answer:
What would Paul say to a church divided both along political lines and on social/moral issues typically represented as “liberal” vs. “conservative” or “fundamentalist” churches (I think Catholic vs. Protestant vs. Evangelical might be a bit too broad, but it’s perhaps an easier distinction). I also fully recognize that no two churches, even within the same denomination or faith tradition, are exactly alike in praxis and belief, but I need some broader categories for contrast.
How would Paul address the concept of voting and the responsibilities of living in a free society?
How would Paul address the continuing rise of Islamic philosophy, especially the radical philosophy like that seen in Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah that is hostile to America broadly or Christians and Jews more specifically (I’m firm on this point; I know there are peaceful Muslims among us, but they’re typically ones that aren’t a serious threat, like the 18-year old just arrested in Minnesota for an alleged planned terror attack on the Mall of America).
I definitely don’t want this being a “can’t-we-all-just-get-along” treatise or a “pray—read your Bible—go to church” kind of response. I would expect Paul to say hard things to all sides and in the end focus on reconciling with God first and then our fellow man.
I think I’ve covered all the bases. If you need additional input, I’m here to help. I don’t need a formatted document. I can copy and paste and format the document myself.
The Modern Epistle
A Modern Letter to the American Church
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is Himself our peace, breaking down the dividing wall of hostility. I write not as one who has attained perfection, but as one who has seen the fractures among you and fears that your divisions have become deeper than your devotion.
To the Church in America, scattered across states and parties, yet called to one hope:
I have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and I rejoice. Yet I also hear of your quarrels, your factions, your boasting in men, your contempt for one another, and your willingness to divide Christ’s body along the lines of earthly rulers. Some say, “I am of the conservatives,” others, “I am of the progressives,” still others, “I am of the independents,” and a few, “I am above politics altogether.” Is Christ divided? Was the Lord crucified for your party? Or were you baptized into the name of your ideology?
You have allowed the rulers of this age — the powers and principalities Paul warned you about — to shape your loyalties more than the cross. You speak of Caesar more than Christ, of rights more than righteousness, of freedoms more than faithfulness. You have forgotten that the kingdoms of this world rise and fall, but the kingdom of God endures forever.
I. On Political Division in the Church
I do not tell you to abandon your civic duties, for you are citizens of a free republic, and your Constitution grants you both liberty and responsibility. Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s — your vote, your taxes, your participation — but render to God what is God’s: your conscience, your worship, your allegiance, your love for one another.
Some of you have made politics your gospel. Others have made apathy your refuge. Both are errors.
To the conservatives I say: You speak of truth, yet often without grace. You defend moral clarity, yet sometimes forget compassion. You fear the erosion of righteousness, yet neglect the poor among you, assuming the government alone must bear the burden. Remember the words of the prophets: true justice begins in the house of God.
To the progressives I say: You speak of compassion, yet often without truth. You defend the marginalized, yet sometimes neglect holiness. You fear oppression, yet forget that sin itself is the greatest oppressor. Remember the words of Jesus: mercy and obedience are not enemies.
To the fundamentalists I say: You guard doctrine fiercely, yet sometimes forget the gentleness of Christ. You fear compromise, yet occasionally confuse tradition with truth. Remember that the Pharisees were doctrinally precise and spiritually blind.
To all I say: If your political identity is stronger than your identity in Christ, you have already surrendered to the rulers of this age.
II. On Voting and Civic Responsibility
You live in a nation where your voice matters. This is a stewardship, not an idol. Vote as those who will give an account to God, not as those who seek the praise of men. Do not vote merely for your own interests, but for the good of your neighbor. Do not vote in anger, but in sober judgment. Do not vote as though the fate of the kingdom of God rests on the outcome, for Christ is not elected by men.
Paul appealed to Caesar not because Caesar was righteous, but because the law provided a path for justice and a platform for witness. So also you may use the rights granted to you — speech, assembly, petition — not merely to preserve your comforts, but to advance righteousness and truth.
III. On Social and Moral Division
You quarrel over matters of sexuality, marriage, immigration, economics, race, and national identity. Some of these matters are clear in Scripture; others require wisdom. But in all things, remember this: the church is not called to mirror the world’s divisions but to display the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Do not confuse unity with uniformity. Do not confuse compromise with charity. Do not confuse silence with faithfulness. Speak truth, but speak it in love. Show compassion, but show it without abandoning holiness.
IV. On the Rise of Hostile Ideologies
Concerning the rise of radical Islamic philosophies — those that exalt violence, suppress freedom, and seek the destruction of Jews and Christians — do not be ignorant. Daniel served pagan kings without bowing to their idols. He prayed for the peace of the city even as he refused its false gods. You must do likewise.
Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Yet do not be naïve about the threats that exist. Pray for your enemies, but do not pretend they are friends. Love the Muslim neighbor who seeks peace, but do not ignore the ideology that seeks your destruction. The watchman who sees danger and remains silent is guilty of the blood of the city.
V. On Powers, Principalities, and Spiritual Warfare
Your battle is not against flesh and blood — not against Democrats or Republicans, not against progressives or conservatives, not against immigrants or natives, not against Muslims or secularists — but against the spiritual forces that delight when the church devours itself.
Put on the whole armor of God. Not the armor of cable news. Not the armor of social media. Not the armor of outrage. The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit — these are your weapons.
VI. On Reconciliation
You seek reconciliation with one another without first seeking reconciliation with God. This is folly. The cross reconciles you vertically before it reconciles you horizontally. If you are not right with God, you cannot be right with your brother.
Confess your sins — not merely your opponent’s sins. Humble yourselves — not merely demand humility from others. Seek the unity of the Spirit — not the uniformity of opinion.
VII. Final Exhortation
Therefore, beloved, stand firm. Do not let the world’s divisions define Christ’s body. Do not let political fervor eclipse gospel truth. Do not let fear of earthly powers overshadow the sovereignty of God. Do not let hatred of enemies replace love of neighbor.
You are citizens of a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Live as those who belong to Christ first, America second, and no party at all.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
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