Abstract This article explores the relationship between large language models (LLMs) and humans as well as its impact on practical theology, more specifically on ritual-liturgical studies. We show how LLMs question human exceptionalism in the realms of language, creativity, grounding, and meta-representation. Subsequently, we discuss the assumed role of language in understanding who we are as humans. LLMs call for a reappraisal of Saussure’s structuralism. We demonstrate how in LLMs, structuralism converges with hermeneutic approaches to language. We speculate on the immanent interpenetration of LLMs and liturgical practices from the perspective of a revisiting of structuralism. Finally, we offer some perspectives on the future of LLMs and liturgy.

Marcel Barnard

Wim Otte

International Journal of Practical Theology

The International Journal of Practical Theology is an academic journal. It is intended for practical theologians and teachers of religious education, scientists specializing in religion, and representatives of other cultural-scientific disciplines. The aim of the journal is to promote an international and interdisciplinary dialogue.     The journal contains contributions on an empirically descriptive and critically constructive theory of ecclesiastical and religious practice in society. Primarily, it deals with descriptions of religion as it is practised. Religion in this context can be understood in the broad sense of the word according to which all appreciative tendencies towards an ultimate view of oneself and of the world can be described as being religious.

The International Journal of Practical Theology is an academic journal aimed at practical theologians, teachers of religious education, scientists specializing in religion, and representatives from other cultural-scientific disciplines. The journal's goal is to promote international and interdisciplinary dialogue. It features contributions that provide empirically descriptive and critically constructive theories of ecclesiastical and religious practices in society. Primarily, it focuses on the descriptions of religion as it is practiced. In this context, religion can be understood in a broad sense, encompassing all appreciative tendencies towards an ultimate view of oneself and the world.

《International Journal of Practical Theology》是一本学术期刊，旨在为实践神学家、宗教教育教师、宗教领域的科学家以及其他文化科学学科的代表提供交流平台。期刊的目标是促进国际和跨学科的对话。期刊包含关于教会和宗教实践在社会中经验性描述和批判性构建理论的贡献。主要关注宗教的实际表现，宗教在此语境下可以广义理解为对自我和世界的终极看法的所有欣赏倾向。

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