Be the Culture. Don’t Bend to the Alternative.
It is easy to adopt the thoughts and actions of this world. We are constantly enticed to do that by the biased news we get, the barrage of advertisements that feed consumerism, and the television shows and movies we see, which are the moral equivalent of the Golden Calf.
Perhaps the worst is the phenomenon known as “political correctness.” This social movement attempts to overtly change the meaning of words or create new word images. It wants to change people’s thought processes so that they will conform to its new political or social agenda.
In George Orwell’s book 1984 (published in 1949), bending the truth like this was called “Newspeak” and was used to inspire a uniformity of thought that is often referred to today as “Groupthink.”
The calling of Christian writers is to communicate differently. We are to speak the truth with love (Ephesians 4:15). We must continually guard our minds against using the bent truth of our age as our writing benchmark.
The Bible teaches us not to conform to the pattern of this world but to have renewed minds (Romans 12:2). As Christian writers, we must use that mindset to honor Jesus Christ.
The Process Begins
When we become Christians, our minds are made new (Ephesians 4:22–23). That means we start evaluating our lives, work, and world differently. We take on God’s perspective. We aspire to have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).
Christian writers are obligated to be of strong mind since we share Christian teachings and values with a mass audience. A strong mind is defined as thinking “not easily influenced by others; resolute and determined.”
Sadly, the minds of many Christian writers are not fully renewed. They are like some of the people in Corinth that Paul mentioned. In 2 Corinthians 11:3, he said they are “corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” Their minds were resolute in the wrong way.
Today, the Marxist-Progressives are picking a fight and using ideology as their weapon. Anti-Christian bigotry is couched in political terms, and they believe that’s acceptable. Yet, it is the same rhetoric used to incite people to incinerate millions of Jews just 85 years ago. The Marxist-Progressive language is the same, so can an anti-Christian pogrom be far behind?
We Christians have an additional problem. Too many so-called Christians promote odd social, political, medical, and theological views that reflect their bias rather than objective reality and God’s truth. They depart from the simplicity that is in Christ when they promote a human bias as if it were from God.
How can you be a strong-minded Christian writer? Here are some of the characteristics any writer can adopt. Here are five characteristics of strong-minded Christian writers in this context:
1. Be Grounded in Biblical Truth
A strong-minded Christian writer is deeply rooted in the Word of God. We prioritize scriptural truths over popular opinion, ensuring that our writings align with the fundamental teachings of the Bible. This helps in preventing the propagation of personal biases as divine truths. They recognize that the foundation of any enduring message should be the Gospel and the principles laid out in Scripture.
2. Be Intellectually Curious
Given the complexity of today’s world, a Christian writer should be well-informed about current events, ideologies, and cultural shifts. An in-depth understanding allows us to address contemporary issues through the lens of faith.
Sadly, too many Christians have a black-and-white view of the world. They say, “God said it, I believe it, that settles it!” That’s not exactly what Jesus had in mind in Matthew 22:27–40. God said it, for sure, but the second part of the equation is that we shall love our neighbor as ourselves.
This does not mean we cave to the culture that may call us unloving because we do not buy into their political or social agenda. It means we keep the reality of “God said it, I believe it, that settles it!” in the recesses of our hearts and minds, and we give others a hearing. Jesus told us to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) and that’s good advice for Christian writers.
We don’t shy away from challenging topics but rather engage with them, seeking wisdom and discernment from the Holy Spirit. We do not need to make dogmatic pronouncements when we listen to the Spirit.
3. Be an Empathetic Communicator
This leads us to an important facet of being a strong-minded Christian writer. An effective Christian writer approaches topics with compassion and understanding. We recognize the inherent value in every individual (that’s one reason so many of us are against the abortion of the voiceless), and we strive to bridge gaps, encourage dialogue, and create a space for healthy discourse.
Being an empathetic communicator does not mean others convince us to embrace their bad ideas or actions (James 4:17) but that we listen with kindness to make the connection between their wayward beliefs and the truth of the Gospel. Being empathetic is showing an ability to understand and share the feelings of another, not adopt them.
Our writing should reflect God’s love, grace, and mercy, ensuring that readers feel heard and valued, even when addressing difficult or controversial subjects.
4. Be Resilient Amidst Opposition
A strong-minded Christian writer understands their stance may not always align with popular narratives or opinions. However, we exhibit resilience, undeterred by criticisms or challenges that come our way.
Being resilient does not mean being argumentative. Jesus gave us clear instructions about that. We are on the offense, not the defense. He said, “If anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town” (Matthew 10:14).
Our strength is not derived from pride or stubbornness but from a deep conviction in the teachings of the Bible and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Thus, even when faced with opposition, remain steadfast, presenting our perspectives with grace and clarity, always striving to illuminate the heart of the Gospel in a world filled with noise.
5. Be a Courageous Advocate for a Redeemed Humanity
In times when divisive rhetoric has become the norm, a strong-minded Christian writer is a beacon of reasonableness. Our faith is reasonable, not a fantasy built on emotion. We must possess the courage to confront divisive topics head-on and advocate for the moral and ethical principles we find in the Bible.
We can do this in our fiction and nonfiction writing. Our calling is to project the better world Jesus called us to inhabit.
Thus, we want to take a firm stand for scriptural truths and emphasize the unifying aspects of the faith. That goes for books and blog posts we write for believers and those we write for non-believers. We understand that our role isn’t just about defending Christian beliefs but also about fostering togetherness and mutual respect within the diverse body of Christ, promoting a spirit of love over division.
Final Thoughts: The Power of a Strong Mind
A hallmark of a mature Christian writer is humility. We recognize our limitations, are open to correction, and continuously seek to grow both personally and spiritually. While we may have deep knowledge and understanding, we don’t project an air of superiority. Instead, we approach writing as a journey, inviting readers to join us as fellow travelers searching for God’s truth and wisdom.
In our ever-changing world, these characteristics enable Christian writers to be beacons of light, providing readers guidance, hope, and encouragement. Armed with truth, love, and grace, we can effectively counter any bias, hate, or misinformation, showcasing the timeless relevance and power of the Gospel.
Sources cited:
Unless otherwise noted, Bible quotations are from the English Standard Version (ESV).
