I love a good algorithm. I’ve stumbled upon many a great band because the autoplay feature made a suggestion based on my listening history. I’ve been exposed to countless new perspectives and ideas because an AI model answered a question in a concise manner that piqued further curiosity.
I love a good lectionary. (Our church utilizes the Revised Common Lectionary, in case you’re wondering). As a Bible reading plan, I’ve not found a better approach. Following a lectionary throughout the various seasons of the Christian year is like following a guide on an adventure through the wild and expansive landscape of God’s story. The discipline of yielding control of my Bible reading has been a vital grace.
The downside is that in using such tools, we abdicate a certain degree of our autonomy. In allowing someone or something else to make decisions for us, we give them power to take choice from us. If the Judeo-Christian anthropology is true, we are created to be thinking and willing beings. Let’s not be too quick to give up those freedoms.
Such tools are helpful, but in the end they are only that: tools. They may include information in their calculations that are hidden from you. They may be influenced by biases that are not in your best interest.
For example, the RCL interestingly omits three verses in today’s reading: One places a woman center stage. One prohibits plundering. One redirects wealth to worship.
Skip these and you’re easily left with a story about a supposed “holy war” in which the male winners take all.
Read the whole story. Use the tool; don’t let the tool use you.
(See Joshua 6:1-16, 20).