Earlier when I asked if there were any books on Christian writing, someone answered that books on writing were books on writing. A book on Christian writing would be like a book on Christian auto mechanics. This was a clever picture. I immediately thought of Robert Pirsig’s book, Zen And The Art of Motorcycle Repair.
There is a sense, of course, in which that is absolutely true. Writing is a craft. We would not expect subject matter to effect it. Most of us have been moved by art depicting Christian themes, but who would write or read a book on Christian painting or sculpting?
However, there is more to what I am thinking than that. There is something about weaving writing into our spiritual disciplines that is on a different plane. There is more to learning to listen for the voice of God, hearing His voice, sensing His direction, than writing a tweet on fixing a fuel pump. I have been reaching for this in this Writing Prayerfully blog. But I believe a book, written by a clearer thinker than I, would help Christian writers connect with the Holy Spirit in ways that will shake the Earth in these crucial days.
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David, you might welcome my e-book a Christian Writer's Guide (to writing, revising, marketing, etc.) Hope it's what you've been looking for - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FGCUXRM
ReplyDeleteBrother David,
ReplyDeleteI understand your thinking. Having felt the need for experienced help myself, I have found a seeming void in this area of reference material. I suspect that because the Holy Spirit is the Master when it involves drawing us to Christ, there are not many qualified people who could instruct us in the process of assisting Him. Many times, zealous believers are quick to assume that they have insights into our spirituality that the masses could profit from, but that is usually not founded in reality. Those who do, will be used as He chooses. "Many are called, but few chosen." Nevertheless, such a book if properly written by a competent Christian would find a ready market. (One would think!) Shalom.
Thanks, Stan:
DeleteA number of people have told me about good books on Christian writing. I just ordered Mary Harwell Sayler's book, Christian Writer's Guide on Amazon. I don't want to deminish other good books on writing. I want my own writing to be more art than Christian propaganda. But I believe prayer is essential to that.
I do think we ought to share what the Holy Spirit shows us about our writing, even if it will not help everyone.
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