Deception Detector
Analyse sermons and media with a theological lens
Paste a sermon, a clip, or an article and TheoSumma flags rhetorical manipulation, doctrinal drift, and mis-cited scripture — with citations of its own.
What it looks for
- Misquoted, proof-texted, or context-stripped scripture.
- Classical logical fallacies dressed up in Christian language.
- Deviations from the tradition you've selected.
- Emotional manipulation patterns: fear, shame, urgency, in-group pressure.
- Historical and factual errors.
Why this exists
Social media has given bad theology and worse rhetoric a megaphone. The Deception Detector does not tell you what to believe — it gives you a second reader that slows the conversation down long enough for Scripture and the Church's wisdom to get a word in.
How it's different from fact-checking
Fact-checkers measure truth claims against the news cycle. The Deception Detector measures theological and rhetorical claims against scripture, councils, and the major voices of the tradition you choose as the reference frame.
Frequently asked questions
Will it judge any preacher I paste in?
It identifies specific rhetorical and exegetical concerns. It does not pronounce anyone a "false teacher" — that's not the AI's job.
Can I choose the theological frame?
Yes. Pick Catholic, Orthodox, Reformed, or another tradition as the reference frame. Analysis adjusts accordingly.
What if the Detector itself is wrong?
Every finding includes citations. Verify against the primary sources.
Can I use it on political or ideological content?
Yes, but carefully. The Detector evaluates claims that mix theology with politics — Christian nationalism rhetoric, liberation theology arguments, social gospel statements — against the tradition you select. It flags category errors and theological overreach on either side of a debate, not partisan opinion.
Does it work on YouTube sermons and podcast transcripts?
Yes. Paste the transcript or a link — the tool reads public transcripts where they exist. Long-form sermons and podcasts work better than short clips; the AI needs enough context to judge argument structure fairly.
Is it biased toward conservative or progressive theology?
Neither — by design. The tool measures against the tradition you pick. A conservative Reformed frame and a progressive Anglican frame will flag different sermons for different reasons. The Christian AI is calibrated to your selection, not to a political aesthetic.
Can I run a clip of my own preaching through it?
Yes — many pastors do, and it is a valuable practice. The AI will flag unclear exegesis, rhetorical patterns that manipulate rather than persuade, and moments where enthusiasm outran the text. Use it as a mirror before preaching, not as a replacement for human editors.
What logical fallacies does it catch?
Classical ones — straw-manning opposing views, ad hominem, false dichotomies, appeals to fear, shame, urgency, or tribal loyalty, guilt-by-association, proof-texting, and others. It explains each flag briefly so you can judge whether the rhetorical move was fair in context.
Can I share a report with my church or small group?
Yes. Export the analysis as PDF or Markdown with citations intact. Several churches use the tool in leadership meetings to evaluate guest speakers or media their youth ministry consumes — as a conversation starter, never as a final verdict.
Is it free?
Short clips are free on the daily quota. Paid plans expand length, unlock the Expert model for denser doctrinal analysis, and permit batch processing for larger sermon archives.