What Scripture Teaches Us About Writing
By Marilyn Nutter
And it goes without
saying, we want to be honest, manage sensitive topics with integrity, and accurately
use statistics and facts. Scripture teaches us all of these.
But once we’ve prayed
and know honesty and integrity are non-negotiables, what does Scripture show us
about the mechanics of writing?
The purpose of the
gospel of Luke was to write an orderly account, so that we would have
certainty of the things we have been taught. (Luke 1:1-4)
· We write with order and clarity-sometimes
chronologically and sometimes sequentially, building on ideas. We expand ideas
that need additional information, communicating our thoughts so that readers
understand. We also write with confidence in the accuracy of our facts because
of our experience or research.
The apostle Paul
identified his target audience. He established common ground with them,
acknowledging what he knew about them so that they could connect before he gave
the gospel (Acts
17:22-31).
· As we think about our readers—our
target audience—we need to know who they are so we can choose the right
vocabulary. We ask ourselves what we need to define or explain. How much
knowledge do my readers have in a particular subject? What can I assume? What
do I know about them? What shouldn’t I assume? What is their age and
background? Am I offering new information or delving more deeply into what they
know about the topic? What is their felt need?
Scripture offers clarity.
Many times in a passage we come across words that are repeated. Scripture shows
us that if a word is repeated, God wants us to know it it’s important.
· When we write, we don’t want to be
redundant. Using the “find” tool on our computers, we can see how many times
the same word is used, so we search for synonyms. If we have facts, ideas, or Scriptures
that are important, look for synonyms, quotes to amplify, or Scriptures that
confirm the main idea.
We pray first. We write and relate to audiences with
honesty. Using biblical principles can show us how to develop our craft and enhance
our writing too. What are your thoughts?
Links
Luke 1: 1-4: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1%3A1-4&version=NIVnull
Acts 17:22-31: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2017%3A22-31&version=NIV
Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com and Rachael Strong.
Marilyn Nutter is co-author with April White of Destination Hope: A Travel Companion When Life Falls Apart, and a frequent contributor to online sites and compilations. Visit her website at http:/MarilynNutter.com.
Great article, Marilyn!
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