From season five of the television sitcom Seinfeld, a revealing quote from the character George Costanza:
“It all became very clear to me sitting out there today, that every decision I’ve ever made, in my entire life, has been wrong. My life is the complete opposite of everything I want it to be. Every instinct I have, in every aspect of life, be it something to wear, something to eat…. It’s all been wrong. Every one.”
My guess it never dawned on George Costanza to teach a workshop at a Christian writers conference, but the principle above might be great advice to every Christian writer.
Writing a Christian book is easy. Just look around you, listen to what the world is saying, and write the opposite.
As the entire world devolves into a hell-bent mess when things previously unthinkable are now promoted and anything connected to a biblical worldview is considered ignorant and foolish, Christian writing will become easier. The gray areas and nuances are all but gone.
What many people in our world are saying these days is not only wrong by a little bit, but in many cases it isn’t even close to being biblical, in a way God intended. In fact, it is fully 180 degrees off.
Humans are made in God’s image. Jesus Christ paid the price for sin, and Christ-followers no longer live for themselves but are literal temples of the Holy Spirit. As a Christ-follower, the ownership to your life changed to Jesus Christ.
The choices are not yours, since it isn’t your body any longer.
Now there’s an opposite opinion which will get you booted from most conversations.
Raising children? “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, NIV).
Antiquated and foolish?
Much of the world does not believe people are sinful by nature. If stifling rules are removed from society, people will do the right thing.
Really?
Climate discussions are devoid of the Creator and his creation. That’s a “180-Degree Mistake.”
And while Christian writers ponder biblical themes for their work, a growing, steady stream of books from secular writers deal with the positive aspects of wicca and demon worship.
There are two reasons to stay involved with unbelievers and pay attention to what the world is saying. First, so you can keep the door open to share the saving grace of Jesus Christ with them. But second, they reveal how unbelievers think and what is important to them. Almost always, it is just the opposite of what a Christ-follower would think and prioritize.
The hard part of writing is making it compelling enough so people will pay money for it.
But take heart, you have a guidebook to help, containing the entire history of the world from beginning to end, given to us by the One who holds the universe in the palms of his mighty hands.
7 Favorite Writer Destinations
One dreams about the good old days
that seem now very long ago
when our wide world did seem to praise
the Way, but we must wake, and know
that this was ever an illusion
that hid the smoky rebel hearts.
Now there need be no confusion;
in this play’s last act, we have our parts
scripted for us by the Lord’s
mighty hand, in words of flame,
that as we tread the stage’s boards
we may walk in His holy name
in the face of boos, cat-calls
until at end the curtain falls.
Powerful, powerful words this morning, Andrew! Thank you!
Thank YOU, Linda!
From much life lived. Pondered. Shared.
Thank you Andrew.
Thank you, Dan, for your inspiring words this morning!
Thank you – Awesome post!
This is powerful!
Wow, Dan.
Just . . . WOW!!
This is the best thing I’ve read in quite some time. Very, very well said.
This post reminded me of the Prophets. Amen!
Amen! You put this so perfectly and powerfully. Praise the Lord He has set us apart! May He give us the courage to stand firm and to be holy, as He is holy, is this culture.
Wow and amen. Thank you, Dan, for sharing this perspective and challenge.
Blessings!
Thank you. This simplifies things and puts them in perspective. Sometimes the forces of darkness begin to feel compelling. Then we can look to the Savior, the Truth, the Way.
Well said, Dan. Thank you!
I couldn’t agree more, Dan! As the world’s values creep into the Christian reading public, where does that leave aspiring Christian writers? Will there come a time when sound doctrine isn’t tolerated and publishers will only publish those books aimed at the “itchy eared” crowd (2 Timothy 4:3)?
Hmmm … but which segment of the world’s thinking should one choose to write the opposite of?
An approach like this would certainly require much time spent in prayer and study.
For instance, if I wrote the opposite of what a secular environmental activist was saying, then I might find myself extolling a view that honored a flagrant disregard for my Creator and the beautiful world He put humanity in charge of. Such responsibility is a heavy weight and we must honor God in how we care for His creation.
Such an approach to writing can certainly spark ideas and inform direction, but I would encourage Christian writers to delve deep into God’s word and spend time seeking Him on their knees in humility rather than focusing too greatly on what the world is doing at any given moment.
So good. Thanks for this.
Wow! Such a powerful post. Thank you for sharing your heart.
Great post Dan. Jesus had His “stump speech” (The Sermon on the Mount) address all the primary errors of His culture’s influencers (the Pharisees) of His day. It was directed to the faithful, but His message became known to the world. For this He was “the faithful witness” (Rev 1:5). We should address the major erroneous messaging of our day and square it with Scripture.
On most days, I would choose, yes choose, to skip over a post such as this. I almost deleted it from my inbox several times, but felt a nudge not to. After opening and reading the post, I realized I had just done the opposite of what the world was urging me to do, and I had followed the prompting of the Spirit. The 180-degree opposite thing you speak of had just happened. Rather than pass by your message, I have saved it and marked it as a constant reminder. Thank you for that!
Amen! Sometimes I wonder if writing a fiction book with a Christian worldview is going to be received well, but it’s what the Lord has lain on my heart, so I can all but write what He gives me to write. Thanks.
So much opportunity out there for Christians. We need to step into them. Thanks for your powerful, inspiring message, Dan!
Amen and amen.