A better comparison to Logos AI than Chat GPT
I'm a fan of perplexity.ai, for several reasons: first, it always parses my questions correctly, and addresses (however well) the question I've asked. Google ranges from C- to F on this front. Second, perplexity.ai footnotes its responses, which Logos comparisons to Chat GPT point out Chat GPT does not.
I'm reading Bonhoeffer's Discipleship (on Logos of course). I thought to try a Logos search, and a perplexity.ai query, with simply the words "pecca fortiter" (the opening words of a well-known statement by Martin Luther that Bonhoeffer addresses deeply). Perplexity.ai responds at length, beginning with this:
" 'Pecca fortiter' is a Latin phrase attributed to Martin Luther, meaning 'sin boldly' or 'sin bravely' [fn 1] [fn 2]. This provocative statement is part of a longer quote: "Pecca fortiter, sed fortius fide et gaude in Christ" (Sin boldly, but believe and rejoice in Christ even more boldly) [fn 1]. Luther wrote these words in a letter to Philip Melanchthon in 1521 [fn 1] [fn 2]. The context of this statement is crucial to understanding its meaning. Luther was not encouraging sin, but rather addressing the believer's attitude towards sin and grace [fn 1]." [and the response continues at some length.]
Footnote 1 is to an article on this Luther quote ("Sin Boldly!" - The Scriptorium Daily), giving its background, and, closing the loop for me, citing Bonhoeffer's defense and interpretation of Luther's statement in Discipleship.
The same search in Logos (with an "all" search) yields this:
"The term "pecca fortiter" appears to be related to Christian ethics, specifically mentioned in the context of Helmut Thielicke's work on theological ethics [fn 1]. While the exact meaning is not explicitly stated in the provided articles, "fortiter" is defined as an adverb meaning "strongly, vigorously, bravely" in Latin [fn 2] [fn 3]. It's also translated as "mightily, strongly" in one of the articles [fn 4]. The term seems to have some significance in theological discussions, but the articles do not provide enough context to fully explain its meaning or implications in relation to the user's query.
1. Uwe Siemon-Netto, The Fabricated Luther: Refuting Nazi Connections and Other Modern Myths, Third Edition. (Saint Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2023), 178.
2. Isaiah Hoogendyk and Andrew Curtis, eds., in Analytical Lexicon of the Vulgate (Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2018).
3. William Whitaker, in Dictionary of Latin Forms (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2012).
4. J. M. Harden, in Dictionary of the Vulgate New Testament (London; New York: Society of Promoting Christian Knowledge; The Macmillan Co., 1921), 50."
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I am utterly confident - completely so - that over time Logos will hone its implementation of AI to the point that it's a powerful tool that can be depended upon to lead straight to the most key content in whatever resources the search was performed on (all, books, etc.). But I'm interested to see that it's not close to that out of the gate.
FWIW I use Perplexity.ai all the time, including as one of the places I look for my "Huh??" questions as I read scripture, and it rarely disappoints. And I do believe I bring a healthy skepticism to any search result from whatever source. And it's just one resource; I have a robust collection of commentaries on Logos, and my favorites are all open and linked to my reading, and I look at them too. But AI does have a role, and as noted above there's better competition out there that can be looked to for comparison than Chat GPT.
Comments
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It is ok, but exaggerates like so many others. Just asked it about Pastor Lynden Williams. Interesting answer.
Mission: To serve God as He desires.
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I've not yet used perplexity.ai but I would like to try upon your recommendation. My current "go to" AI is Claude which I've found to be fairly good.
Certainly AI can't be trusted alone. It must only been viewed as a research assistant and all sources must be checked.
Using adventure and community to challenge young people to continually say "yes" to God
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Right - and my tips of the day use Perplexity heavily. But you are comparing crab apples to pineapples. Logos is NOT trying to answer your question. It is running a Search and creating a Synopsis from the top results. Perplexity is trying to answer your question - I have had it fail miserably and succeed magnificently. I like its lack of hallucinations on references. The Logos synopsis serve well on topics that Logos emphasizes and fails on topics that are only marginal to Logos (most of my questions).
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."
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ChatGPT: I’m sorry, but I don’t know who that guy is! 😂😂😂
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I have never tried it. That's why I relied on Logos comparisons for the proposition that it doesn't footnote its responses. 😂
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I just tried and received a few paragraphs on him and a YouTube video. Not sure if that is because I have the paid version?
The way I look at any AI solution is a tool. If you treat it like a tool it will do what you need most times. I have GPTs setup for me for my religious studies and one for work. My studies know my denomination, where I am at in my study, and what bible translation to use. It responds pretty well. I believe its all how you set it up.1 -
With Logos as with all AI it does depend on the question. So I got the same result as you with just the phrase 'pecca fortiter' but when I asked it 'what did Luther mean by pecca fortiter?'
Luther's phrase "pecca fortiter" (sin boldly) has been subject to misinterpretation and controversy. According to one article, Luther wrote to his friend Melancthon in 1521, encouraging him to "sin stoutly, but still more stoutly trust and rejoice in Jesus Christ," emphasizing the power of grace[1]. However, this interpretation has been criticized as potentially promoting antinomianism. Another perspective suggests that "pecca fortiter" was not an encouragement to sin, but rather an acknowledgment of the reality that in a fallen world, even good actions may involve some degree of sin[2]. Luther recognized that Christians might face moral dilemmas where any choice could involve some wrongdoing, and in such cases, one should act decisively based on their best understanding of God's will, trusting in divine forgiveness[2]. It's important to note that some scholars argue this phrase has been unfairly interpreted, and stress the need to examine Luther's original writings in context[3]. The concept has been linked to discussions about the nature of reality versus possibility in theological thinking[4].
[1] Joseph C. Sasia, The Future Life: According to the Authority of Divine Revelation the Dictates of Sound Reason the General Consent of Mankind (New York; Cincinnati; Chicago: Benziger Brothers, 1918), 449.
[2] H. H. Kramm, The Theology of Martin Luther (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2009), 65.
[3] John Alfred Faulkner, “Two Luther Books. Review of Luther and Lutherdom by Heinrich Denifle and Thirty-Five Years of Luther Research by J. M. Reu,” The American Journal of Theology XXIII.1 (1919): 117.
[4] Martin Rüter and Ilse Tödt, “Editors’ Afterword to the German Edition,” in Creation and Fall: A Theological Exposition of Genesis 1–3, ed. John W. de Gruchy with Ilse, trans. Douglas Stephen Bax, vol. 3 of Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004), 169.גַּם־חֹשֶׁךְ֮ לֹֽא־יַחְשִׁ֪יךְ מִ֫מֶּ֥ךָ וְ֭לַיְלָה כַּיּ֣וֹם יָאִ֑יר כַּ֝חֲשֵׁיכָ֗ה כָּאוֹרָֽה
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