Since the author’s worldview and perspective are significant elements of a book’s content, whatever that worldview happens to be, books written by Christians are not like those written by those who are not.
The core message of a book written by a Christ-follower is special.
Their acknowledgment of Genesis chapters 1 and 3, and their belief that God sustains the world and has a plan for it, is core to their worldview, not to mention every other biblical tenet (Jesus) that separates Christianity and its followers from everyone else.
Pick a subject, genre, reader target, or any other book type–fiction or nonfiction–and the message that shines through most prominently reflects the author’s view of God, whether they are a Christian or not.
Even though, according to the late Christian theologian R.C. Sproul, “All truth is God’s truth,” there is a difference between a Christ-following writer and someone who does not acknowledge Jesus as king.
And this difference is quite apparent in books.
Short-form writing is not as susceptible to an author’s worldview as books. It may be as simple as the difference between spending seven minutes with someone and seven hours, roughly the time between reading an article and a book.
In an article, because of the limited word count, you only focus on the one or two points made by the writer. The focus is on the subject of the piece.
Books are different. You spend many hours living inside the author’s head, regardless of the subject. Their perspective will come through, no matter what they believe.
So, what makes Christian authors special? It is how they think, write, and create. Maybe the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s Gospel illustrates the reasons best. In the fifth chapter, we see some of the unique traits of Christ-followers, including writers:
Humility (v. 3) – goes a long way to connecting with readers.
Empathy (v. 4) – the key element of any effective communicator.
Teachable (v. 5) – intellectual humility (open to learning something new).
Truthtellers (v. 6) – thirsting for righteousness and a desire to reflect God’s word accurately.
Merciful (v. 7) – a shining example of how to treat and communicate with others.
Genuine (v. 8) – the best way to live and interact with people.
Peacemakers (v. 9) – calming the storms of life rather than stirring them up.
Courageous (vv. 10-12) – an excellent trait for any writer, but Christians receive courage from the giver of all good things, so this isn’t just conjured up based on human strength.
In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians, chapter 3, verses 23-24 (NIV) is an excellent reminder:
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Christian authors are special because their message is special.
“Since God is the one who calls people to their work, the worker becomes a steward who serves God” (Leland Ryken).
I hope that you find Jesus peering
back at you, from my rhymes,
and that He is quite as endearing
as He is to me, through troubled times.
It’s not that I go to church
twice a week, or maybe three;
pews are no possible perch,
and it hurts too much to take a knee,
but Jesus meets me where I am,
my words become a jungle-gym
on which I’m climbing with the Lamb
in youthful joy that does not dim,
and that waiting grave of earth
is door to my forever birth.
Oh, I love this, Andrew! What a great hope we have!!
Readers “spend many hours living inside the author’s head” — I’d never thought about it that way, Dan, thank you for this new perspective. As a reader, I want to take care whose head I live in. As a writer, I am inviting others to live in my head. Both ways, it helps if I spend quality time in God’s head, reading the Bible.
In completing the first draft of a book with a Christian veil, I realize how guarded I am in sharing the Gospel. I practically apologize for it. Luckily it’s just a first draft. Second won’t be apologetic.
Wow! Thank you for this article! It is enlightening and encouraging. We truly have a ministry, and the responsibility that goes with it ,with the writing talent God has given us.
Thank you! This article is truly a breath of fresh air.
Refreshing
This is something worth pinning to the wall behind the desk where I write, as a reminder of what needs to be said, and how.
Beautifully said. Thank you.
Wow! Thank you for this sobering reminder. No matter where we are in our
writing journey, we need to keep this in mind.
Excellent truths. Thank you, Dan!
I need to post this list on my wall as a reminder. Thank you!