Summarization feedback requested
We've been working on whether we can improve our AI summarization tool, to make the summaries a bit less wooden. We'd value your feedback on what is preferable.
Example 1: The article on "Jerusalem" in AYBD
Current tool
The text provides a comprehensive overview of the history, archaeology, and theology of Jerusalem, describing the city’s rediscovery, background, and development across different eras.
The introduction highlights the complexities of studying Jerusalem due to its continuous habitation, lack of extensive archaeological records, and controversial interpretations of existing sources. The subsequent sections detail the city’s rediscovery in the 19th and 20th centuries and the intense excavations since its reunification in 1967.
The background section explores the various names associated with Jerusalem, its geography and topography, early settlement, and demographic and economic aspects. The United Kingdom section focuses on the reigns of David and Solomon, emphasizing Jerusalem’s political and religious significance.
The text then discusses the divided kingdom period, followed by the Second Temple period, covering the Persian, Hellenistic, Hasmonean, Herodian, and Roman eras. Each period’s political, religious, and architectural developments are outlined, including significant events and structures.
The post-biblical period encompasses Jerusalem’s evolution under Roman, Byzantine, Early Arab, Crusader, Later Arab, and Ottoman rule. The theological significance of Jerusalem in the Old and New Testaments is also explored, highlighting its central role in biblical narratives and apocalyptic literature.
Finally, the bibliography provides an extensive list of resources for further study, making the text a valuable reference for understanding Jerusalem’s rich and complex history, archaeology, and theological importance.
Possible improvement
Jerusalem, a sacred site for three monotheistic religions, presents many historical and archaeological uncertainties due to its continuous habitation and complex topography. Its rediscovery began in the 19th century with explorers like E. Robinson, who made significant discoveries, such as Hezekiah’s tunnel. The 20th century saw improved archaeological methods and major excavations, while the 1967 reunification led to intensive Israeli archaeological work. Jerusalem’s ancient names, such as Salem and Zion, reflect its theological significance. Its settlement began on the eastern hill, with the City of David occupying 10 to 15 acres. Through the ages, the city’s size and population grew, reaching its peak under Herod the Great, who embarked on ambitious building projects, including the Temple.
The city’s history is marked by periods of prosperity and decline, each leaving its mark on the topography and architecture. The United Kingdom under David and Solomon, the Divided Kingdom, the Second Temple Period with its Hellenistic and Hasmonean eras, and the Roman Period, all shaped Jerusalem’s development. The post-biblical periods, including Byzantine, Early Arab, Crusader, and Ottoman rule, witnessed continued construction and changes in the city’s religious landscape.
Theological reflections on Jerusalem in the Old Testament highlight its holiness and divine presence, while in the New Testament, it holds a special significance in the ministry of Jesus and the early church. The city’s complex history and its central role in Judaism and Christianity have fuels decades of archaeological exploration, contributing to our understanding of Jerusalem’s past.
Comments
-
Example 2: A chapter of a book by John Piper
Current tool
The text emphasizes the importance of worship in the Christian faith, highlighting the need for genuine, heartfelt worship that is rooted in both truth and deep affection for God. It discusses the role of emotions in worship, rejecting the idea that seeking pleasure in worship is wrong. The text argues that worship should be a joyful and hedonistic pursuit of God, as true worshipers delight in Him. It also stresses the significance of combining deep thought with deep feeling in worship, advocating for forms of worship that ignite both the mind and the heart. The text warns against forms of worship that lack genuine affection for God and encourages a return to worship that is centered on the glory and excellence of Christ. It concludes with an exhortation to seek joy in worship and shares a personal experience of awe and wonder at the magnificence of God. The text ultimately promotes the idea of worship as a joyful and authentic expression of love and reverence for God.
Possible improvement
Jesus uses a shocking method to teach about worship - calling out a Samaritan woman’s adultery. He shows that worship is not separate from real life issues like these. Worship is an act of the heart and mind together. It is an affair of deep thought and feeling, combining doctrine and affection. The fuel of worship is the truth about God, ignited by the Holy Spirit into a fire of emotion and reflected in outward acts. Worship is authentic when the heart’s affections are engaged - when we feel awe, reverence, contrition, longing, hope, fear, joy, gratitude and desire for God. These feelings are an end in themselves - the essence of worship, mirroring God’s glory. Worship isn’t just external ritual, and shouldn’t be done as duty without heart. It’s a feast, an end in itself, the goal being to enjoy God. A three-stage process leads to this ideal: first sorrow for our lukewarmness, then desire, and finally unencumbered joy. Worship should engage both the mind - seeking truth - and the heart - responding with feeling. Forms of worship should reflect this, igniting and expressing our affections. We should not settle for a dull relationship with God; He offers us a feast, and our capacity for joy is limitless.
0 -
Example 3: John 1
Current tool
The text describes the Word as being with God and being God, through whom all things were made. It talks about John the Baptist bearing witness to the light and the true light coming into the world. It explains how those who believe in the Word become children of God. The text then transitions to John the Baptist’s testimony, where he identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. John witnesses the Spirit descending on Jesus and proclaims him as the Son of God. Jesus then calls his first disciples, including Andrew and Simon Peter. Jesus also calls Philip and Nathanael, with Nathanael acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God and the King of Israel. Jesus promises Nathanael that he will see greater things, including heaven opening and angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man.
Possible improvement
In the beginning, the Word was with God and was God Himself. All things were created through the Word, who shined as the light of life. John the Baptist bore witness to the light, but he was not the light; he prepared the way for the true light to enter the world. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. He gave witness that Jesus is the Son of God.
Jesus, the Lamb of God, took away the sins of the world. John the Baptist recognized Him as the one sent from God, and directed two of his disciples towards Jesus. These disciples, including Andrew, followed Jesus and spent the day with Him. Andrew then brought his brother Simon Peter to Jesus, who renamed him Cephas, or Peter.\n\nThe next day, Jesus called Philip, who in turn found Nathanael. Nathanael, impressed by Jesus’ knowledge of him, proclaimed Him to be the Son of God and King of Israel. Jesus promised Nathanael that he would see greater things and spoke of heaven opening and angels ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.
0 -
Most AI tools let you configure between strict mode and creative mode. There are valid uses for both options.
0 -
I prefer the possible improvement in Case 1, I actively dislike the "improvement" in case 3, and am neutral if it were not for the word "shocking" in case 2. I dislike text that claim to know my emotional response to a bit of information with the possible exception of "horrific".
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."
0 -
The "shocking" in Case 2 needs to be improved.
Otherwise, the improvements seem worthwhile.
Dave
===Windows 11 & Android 13
0 -
Piper does use the word shocking, so, not knowing the original, was that word used there? If so, it is fine to keep it.
Pastor, North Park Baptist Church
Bridgeport, CT USA
0 -
There are things I like about both approaches to summarization, but in general I like the second examples better that the rather wooden first examples.
Pastor, North Park Baptist Church
Bridgeport, CT USA
0 -
Mark Smith said:
Piper does use the word shocking, so, not knowing the original, was that word used there? If so, it is fine to keep it.
I think the article being summarised is chapter 3 of Piper's Desiring God.
If so, I think it would be better communicated as "Jesus used a method that was intended to shock"
0 -
I definitely prefer losing the little phrases that add nothing but clutter — things like "The text emphasizes" and "It discusses". see this post for more detail.
0
