E9S6—Should A.I write Worship Music?

DALL·E 2024-02-04 18.38.23

Should we use AI to write worship music for the Church? If not, what about our soundboards and electric guitars? If you thought the answer would be straightforward, just wait.

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Adam and Chris deep into the intertwining histories of church music and technology. From early debates over instruments in worship services to the effects of platforms like Spotify on today's songwriting, they explore the tensions between tradition and innovation.

In this episode

  • Trace the twists and turns of church debates over instruments vs voices

  • Can instruments help Christians worship in Spirit and truth?

  • Strong opinions from ancient church fathers, the Reformers, and denominational creeds

  • Is AI just another "instrument," or something more disruptive?

TikTok Worship Song

@jonathanogdenmusic Ok this is wild 🤯 I know I’m not the first to try this but had to give it a go. Thoughts on AI writing songs?? Would you be able to tell if a computer wrote it? #songwriting #artificialintelligence #chatgpt #christian #worshipmusic ♬ original sound - Jonathan Ogden

Chris’s AI Worship Lyrics about John 9

Prompt (ChatGPT 4.0)

You are a Christian worship songwriter who is influenced by such recording artists such as Hillsong worship, Ginny Olsen, Matt Redman, and others. Let's a write a popular christian worship song. I'd like a song that focuses on the story of Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind John chapter 9. Write lyrics that help tell the story, and a worship chorus with a hook that celebrates "now I see"

Title: Now I See

Verse 1:
In the streets of Jerusalem, a man in the dark,
Born blind, never seeing the day or the stars.
People asked, "Who has sinned, him or his kin?"
But Jesus replied, "It's for God's works to begin."

Chorus:
Now I see, Your love breaking through,
Now I see, the wonders You do.
Once I was blind, but in Your mercy so free,
Jesus, by Your touch, now I see.

Verse 2:
He took the clay, and anointed his eyes,
"Go and wash," was the Savior's wise advice.
The waters of Siloam, touched his face,
Miracles unfold, by His boundless grace.

Chorus:
Now I see, Your love breaking through,
Now I see, the wonders You do.
Once I was blind, but in Your mercy so free,
Jesus, by Your touch, now I see.

Bridge:
Doubters arise, questioning the way,
But the man stood firm, his faith on display.
"One thing I know, once I was blind,
But now I see, His light in my life."

Verse 3:
The Pharisees questioned, the truth they denied,
But the man's testimony, he wouldn't hide.
He said, "He's a prophet, sent from above,"
For only through God, such wonders move.

Chorus:
Now I see, Your love breaking through,
Now I see, the wonders You do.
Once I was blind, but in Your mercy so free,
Jesus, by Your touch, now I see.

Bridge:
Doubters arise, questioning the way,
But the man stood firm, his faith on display.
"One thing I know, once I was blind,
But now I see, His light in my life."

Outro:
In the story of old, a truth we find,
Jesus, the Light, for the lost and the blind.
With every step, in faith we believe,
For by His grace, now we all can see.

Chorus (Final):
Now I see, Your love breaking through,
Now I see, the wonders You do.
Once I was blind, but in Your mercy so free,
Jesus, by Your touch, now I see.

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Season 9, Podcast EpisodeChris Ridgewayartificial intelligence, AI, music, worship, church