We cannot put everyone into one little box. A
Christian brother with high self esteem thinks
Christian psyschology is useless while another
brother like me might need the practical help
or at least enjoy reading how to solve concepts.

How do you write for people who are basically non readers or hates book learning? Brother B is
different from Sister X, etc. We are are all
unique creations.

What might make perfectly good sense to one brother or sister might mean little to another
brother or sister. Godly pastor teachers and writers have to know their flocks.

Who are you? Are you writing self-consciously and professedly as a believer? Or are you writing covertly, in a chameleon-like fashion taking on the color of your environment? To other believers, you use fervent Christian language; to critical scholars, you hide behind scholarly jargon?

To be blunt, I would like to see a change in the way this question and answer is framed. I think the Accuser asks me this question, in this way, every time I try to write about things in a way which would put off the general Christian public (is it “too deep” ? ; is the truth of God’s revelation obfuscated by my multi-syllabic words and interpretation of obscure sources ?). I also believe that many who are involved in teaching writing will correctly tell you that critical analysis on the front end of the writing process, stifles the ability to write. If I am to evaluate myself by how I am about to write, I will always fall short—much like the result of trying to use Law to establish a righteousness of my own. But, if I have confidence that it is the Spirit of Christ within me who works both to will and to write something that is not futile, then if I succeed in avoiding writing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, it is his work—not the product of my own self examination. I think you bring these concerns more to the fore in your fine answers to questions 5 and 7.

Probably most Christian writers at least flatter themselves with the assessment that they write self-consciously as believers. The rub is whether, by some objective standard, our writing conveys an obligatory form of a profession of the faith—lest we be guilty of letting shame of the gospel, skew our writing. Is it not possible to misconstrue writing and Christian profession in a devout, but very naïve way ? Personally, when I read anything of substance, my own understanding does need to be informed what the author believes concerning the gospel (and not the three line version). But I also find that what any author professes to believe, can be a typical fig leaf as much as scholarly jargon. The human heart is adept at hiding things—and pointing out the nakedness of others. Therefore, I would be careful not urge Christians who write, to write with a purpose to be seen as producing what some would imagine full-time-Christian writing to be. Rather, as you go on to say in response to later questions, let us write out of our own encouragement in being united with Christ, the comfort of his love, and fellowship with His Spirit. Beyond the subjective purpose in Christian writing, then, the objective purpose in faith (by sight unseen) is that he continues to exercise his unsurpassed love, power and righteousness toward others as well. By faith, Christ redeems our wretched writing and makes it bear fruit. If we write out of a self-conscious gratitude to God for what he has given us, why should we be paralyzed by whether or not our profession measures up to someone else’s standards for the expression of devotion ?

Who you are is a function of your calling from God, your unique background, your formative experiences, skills and education, expertise, and so on. Ask yourself: What is the contribution God wants you to make that no one else can make? Don’t compare yourself with others. Don’t be competitive. Make the most of the potential God has given you.

Self analysis, when merely baptized with the G- word, may lead people to be self-righteous, self promoters. When considering who you are, you might profitably ask who you are in Christ. That which we have personally obtained by faith, has not yet been seen. Rather than ask what God wants you to do, then, believe that God himself is doing something in and through you. With respect to reason, and natural outcomes, your writing will be demonstrably futile. That is, it will reflect your own conformity to the humility of Christ—humility even unto death. Faith in the promise of God is answered in the pending resurrection—not by reputation in this age. Strive to your own self to be true ? Rather, strive to know Him, and to have fellowship in what He is doing. Fill up the measure of Christ’s sufferings. As Christians, as writers, we are not dealing with personal potential, we are the holy ground for a God who has appointed the works that His people will do.

Thanks-a-million for your calling and work!