Author: Tim Challies

This week the blog is sponsored by Zondervan Reflective, and the post is written by Jared C. Wilson. “It doesn’t really matter if I can ‘dress it up;’ I just have to have the facts right.” I’ve heard some variation of that sentiment a number of times over the years, more lately while teaching my writing course at Midwestern Seminary. Some Christians are committed to the idea that the quality of writing isn’t really all that Christian a concern. What really matters is quality doctrine. Maybe they’re drawing from Paul’s words about the gospel not relying on eloquence (1 Cor. 2:1-2). Maybe they’re drawing from a perceived tradition in evangelicalism of suspicion toward artistry. But whatever the reason, many seem to think how we write is not all that important. I will agree that how we write is not nearly as important as what we write. The simplest, most ineloquent person in the world can still wield the supernatural power of change if he can articulate the true gospel of Jesus. But the supreme importance of what we communicate does not negate the importance of how we communicate. Most evangelicals understand this experientially as it pertains to preaching and singing—or even just regular communication (e.g., “speaking the truth in love”)—but when it comes to the written word, I don’t know if enough have thought about the reasons for pursuing excellence in articulation. Here, then, are four reasons Christians should care about good writing: Our neighbor’s care When we take the care to write excellently, we…See AlsoHow a Minister in the Northeast Went to Seminary Online in the MidwestThree Roads to Joy in Bi-vocational MinistryUnited: Captured by God’s Vision for Diversity