In my hand, I hold two articles both covering the same topic. One is written by someone who regularly attends church, Bible studies, and believes in God, so by that definition, I’ll call that person a Christian. The other does not. One of the articles is very good, the other is not. One drew me in and I could see myself in her short article. It was very relatable and I felt the creases of a smile at the edges of my mouth as I read an account of her pre-teen years. The other left creases on my forehead.
It was so…blah. I felt like it told me nothing.
An attempt at vulnerability in this Christian’s story only revealed the lack of discernment in their own life – or at least, an unwillingness to acknowledge the truth down deep. Instead, the attempt at vulnerability was smoothed over by expected and overly used Christian mantras that make the rest of the world wonder what Christians are talking about. Such as, “God is faithful” or “He healed my heart”.
What does that mean? How is God faithful? How did He heal someone’s heart? What does that look like or feel like?
Not only that, but the writing was jerky and generic. As if there was no creativity in it because they were more focused on saying what they thought they should say as a Christian rather than letting words flow easily. The thing is, this person can be a good writer. They write regularly on travel topics for businesses in the hospitality and entertainment industry. So why the difference?
This isn’t isolated. Over and over I cringe at the writing of Christians, even my own until recently. As I spend more time writing and engaging with writers of all backgrounds, I’ve had a revelation at how “vanilla” (plain, boring, no depth) christian writing can be, more often than not. Lots of words, scriptures, important-sounding thoughts, but really not saying anything much.
Unfortunately, I perceive it so much so that I started actively distancing myself from the average "Christian" writer. I don't hate Christians, I am one (though I haven't fit in the typical Christian mold for a very long time). I believe that the Bible means what it says it means. That I share in the inheritance of Jesus, carry His authority, not only did He die for my sins, but bore my sicknesses and grief. As such, I believe He suffered so I could walk in divine health. (People actually get mad when I say this). I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, and that miracles are for today. I believe that if you say you believe in Jesus you should know who He is and do as He says - and that it's easy to obey His commands when we delight ourselves in Him; that eternal life is truly about knowing who He is, the Father, and Holy Spirit. That when you love someone with your whole heart you want to be like Him and your entire life should leak Jesus. In other words, though I sin daily, it's not because I want to nor do I make excuses for it. His grace is too precious for that. The commandments of God naturally flow out of my love for Him, that is what it means to love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, mind, strength and to not be bound by the Law - because Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law - He IS the essence of the Law of God. So when I am like Him, I naturally fulfill the Law of God. I do my best to not whine about sickness or money or anything like that because my words have power (I slip into old ways at times). I don't believe God gives sickness because the Bible says He is Life and Life abundantly. I believe that women were a vital part of Jesus' ministry and the first evangelist was Mary Magdalene, the first pastor, Priscilla, and the Junia was the one given the task to deliver a vitally important letter to Rome - the book of Romans. The Father loves women and that in Christ, there is no distinction between male and female. So I believe that women make wonderful pastors, apostles, and teachers - and not just to other women. That alone makes me unfit for 90% of churches. Fact is, I simply couldn't find Jesus in most churches so I left the building and found deep fellowship with other belivers outside of a church building. I do have two congregations I am partners with online and I am FOR the body of Christ. I just think that perhaps the body of Christ isn't quite who we think it is. Even so, I pray over my local churches regularly.
I’m finding the same thing in Christian writing – I couldn’t find the Jesus I know. Lots of people wanting to be teachers of the Word and say spiritual-sounding things, but the writings miss the life and power of the true God in them. Hundreds and thousands of books and devotionals that keep us all on the same hamster wheel but do not really launch us into our own destinies or intimacy with the most amazing Person (Jesus/Yeshua). Or generate transformation. But I believe they should; that God did call these people to write. Nearly all of the things I’ve written in the past were guilty of the very same thing. What are we missing as Christians?
I believe that Christians should be the best writers, business people, actors, artists, etc. So why aren’t we?
Truthfully, I know I’m not a great writer – yet. I want to be a good writer. There’s much to learn and practice, but I want to be an excellent writer – no matter what I’m writing about.
Feeling cynical and frustrated over this topic of Christian writers, I discuss my thoughts with my college-aged son while shoving a Freddie’s patty melt and onion rings in my mouth. My son, especially, has strong opinions about this as he is a fiction writer. He has distanced himself from anything Christian-related because to him it is so…fake. He’s right. I don’t fault him. As we talked over our lunch he offered some wonderful insight: “Christians write trying to prove something. Instead, they should just write honestly, and then what’s truly in their heart will come out naturally. They’re bad writers because it’s not genuine.”
Bingo.
We write what we think we’re supposed to write. We take churchy narratives and spread them over our writing like butter on bread but skip out on the meaty parts of our thoughts. Christians are afraid of their own thoughts or experiences or somehow have to church-it-up to make it spiritual. We add verses to every thought or opinion because that’s what Christians do.
I recall writing an article some time ago and the person reviewing it said I needed to back up my writing with specific verses.
Why? (Because that’s what Christians do?)
At the time I agreed, but really, scripture was everywhere in my writing because the truth of the Word of God flowed through my writing. By choosing not to tag a scripture reference does not nullify the power of the testimony, story, or argument.
To me, good writing versus bad writing is exactly what my son said: to focus on writing well and honestly. Then, what’s in our heart will come out naturally. Christians need to let their writing be infused with Truth and Life rather than be artificially interrupted by it. In other words, don’t tell a reader that God taught you patience, write about how you went from impatient to patient. Let us SEE God at work in your life. Let’s not be afraid of our own thoughts. It’s as if we’ve forgotten how to be ourselves – we only know how to be and say what we think we are supposed to be and say.
Instead of being a Christian writer, be a good writer who happens to know Jesus.