Use of this Website for Outreach?

One of the questions with which Lutheran theologians will undoubtedly struggle in the coming years is whether AI serves a useful function in outreach, indeed whether AI can be used in the conversion of an unbeliever. Since the LCMS limits conversion to the work of the Holy Spirit through the Word and the Sacraments and leaves out of the equation the will of the evangelist, this validates the possibility that AI can be involved in this process in lieu of the evangelist. Therefore, this article raises the question whether it (this website) can be used for outreach.

Can this website be used for outreach? Logically, I believe there are two steps in the outreach process: (1) overcoming the resistance of the individual to listen to God's Word and (2) once that resistence is overcome, sharing the Word of God and, therefore, letting the Holy Spirit work on that individual. If this is accurate, then the original question can be decomposed into two questions: "Can this website help the individual overcome his resistance to listening?" and "Can this website be used to share the Word of God?"

Overcoming resistance itself involves two parts: (1) apologetics, answering the questions that prevent the user from listening, and (2) contrition, leading the unbeliever to recognize his truly desperate sinful state.

Apologetics can be simply thought of as providing answers to the questions that prevent the unbeliever from listening. Frequently, these questions have a scientific or pseudo-scientific basis, arguing that science has disproven the need for a God. Alternatively, or in addition, these questions can be more ideological or philosophical in that the unbeliever prefers to walk in the darkness of his sins rather than to turn away from them.

This website, and AI in general, can provide answers to the scientific and pseudo-scientific questions. Answers to the ideological/philosophical concerns are more difficult since these tend to involve emotions more than logic. Answering ideological or philosophical questions and concerns may not be possible using AI for this reason.

Sharing the Word of God is done from within this website, albeit in a passive fashion. While this website provides aids to help with finding the appropriate Bible passages, at least in its current incarnation, these are triggered by user actions. Therefore, in the future a more active approach to sharing the Law and Gospel should be pursued.

So, can this website be used for outreach? It definitely can serve a role in apologetics and it can serve a passive role in sharing the Word of God. In the future, enhancements can be made to make that role more active.