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The Mission of Older Christian Writers
Few things are more critical than knowing one’s purpose in life. For unbelievers, finding their purpose is a daily struggle, constantly blowing them about from here to there, anxiously searching for anything that makes sense of life.
But for a disciple of Jesus Christ, this is easy, as we are called to be his ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). The role has broad implications, but it is an important job and a great calling.
I am no longer a young man, so writing about the mission of older Christian writers is likely something that naturally comes to mind, given my experience working with authors at all stages of life, along with the growth of my eyebrows and the appearance of age spots on my hands and face.
But what brought this to mind was an event about a year ago at a breakfast meeting with the leadership of a ministry at my church. As the meeting wound down, one by one, the younger men had to leave to catch a train or get to the office for an early call or another pressing event with their young families.
A few of us remained. All are retired, except me!
We chatted for 30 minutes about our special role as older guys in the group. The conversation naturally wandered into “keeping these young whipper-snappers in line.”
Okay, I made that part up, but the conversation had the vibe of sharing our experience of how things were done in the past.
Something didn’t sit right to me since that wasn’t what I thought of our special role working with the younger guys; instead, I viewed it more as being a spiritual example.
Maybe I am fighting the inevitable aspects of aging, but I have an adverse reaction when the urge arises to start a sentence with “When I was your age.” Likely, it comes from a fear of someone responding with “Who cares?”
The mission for older Christian writers is the following (from Titus 2):
- Show others what it means not to be anxious, but to pray about everything.
- Exercise self-control, be worthy of respect, and live wisely.
- Remind younger believers of God’s long-term faithfulness, care, and sustaining grace.
- Live and work with love and patience.
- Encourage younger believers to live in a way that honors God.
More specifically, older Christian writers should write humbly, meaning that while something is clear now, it took a while to get there. Admit that. Everything they write should be characterized by:
- The trustworthy promises of God.
- His faithfulness can be relied on.
- While sometimes it feels like God is far away, readers can grow more daily to believe their beliefs and doubt their doubts.
- The depth of your faith and understanding, not with condescension or arrogant authority, but with humble care.
This isn’t a heavy load to bear because it isn’t dependent on your insight or creative prowess. The Spirit of God who has dwelt in you for so long will do the heavy lifting, and the results will be up to God.
Just like for everything else we’ve ever done.
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21st-Century Apologetics: Why Christian Authors No Longer Need to Be Relevant
Christianity has always been under attack. The current weapon of choice is “deconstruction.” Recent generations that were raised on pornography now reject Christian morality and then deconstruct their faith altogether. As a Christian writer in the 21st century, you’re not fighting a theological battle over truth but an emotional battle over morality. Before you dismiss this conclusion, let me explain. Jesus said, “You’ll be hated for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22). The apostle Peter tells us, Even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. …
Make Today Count
As the calendar flips another page, I am reminded of the inexorable passage of time. Below is a great video that creates a visual reminder of the “number of our days” (Psalm 90:12). Watch the video now, and then rejoin my thoughts underneath. (If you receive this via email, the video may not embed. Please click through to the site and watch it. Only two minutes long but forever a memory.) The jelly bean makes for a rich metaphor. When you eat them, do you separate them first by color, discard the ones you don’t like, and save the favorites …
Happy Independence Day!
For those of you in the United States, enjoy your time of celebration! ShareTweet
Literary Fiction, Who Says?
As a big shot literary agent, I review scads of book pitches every week, for both fiction and nonfiction projects. And frequently included in the mix is a pitch or two for a piece of “literary fiction.” What’s that, you say? I’m glad you asked, and I wish I knew. It’s not that I’m not smart. I can be, especially if the subject is 1970s rock. It’s just that, well, it’s not much of a thing on the submission end of the writing-for-publication process. I mean, sure, if you possess an MFA in Creative Writing from OxYaleVard, maybe literary fiction …