A Writing Manifesto: The Impulse to Write
“I would say if a man is going to write on chemistry, he learns chemistry. The same is true of Christianity. But to speak of the craft itself, I would not know how to advise a man how to write. It is a matter of talent and interest. I believe he must be strongly moved if he is to become a writer. Writing is like a ‘lust’, or like ‘scratching when you itch’. Writing comes as a result of a very strong impulse, and when it does come, I for one must get it out.”
C. S. Lewis, “Cross-Examination,” in God in the Dock, edited by Walter Hooper (HarperOne, 1994), 285.
As a church leader, what is the value of a regular rhythm of writing? With his usual pith and wisdom, A. W. Tozer captures the importance of writing: “The work of a good book is to incite the reader to moral action, to turn his eyes toward God and urge him forward. Beyond that it cannot go.” For Tozer, good writing focuses an author Godward and presses him toward moral development. Augustine resonates with this sentiment as he reveals a twofold purpose in writing: “I freely confess…that I endeavour to be one of those who write because they have made some progress, and who, by means of writing, make further progress” (Augustine, Epistle 143.2). As claimed by Augustine, those who write do so because they have, to some level, matured and continue to write so that they may further mature.
However, some may decry any additional contribution to the plethora of books already in print: Why do we need more writing? Are there not enough books, articles, and essays that are already in existence? Why add another volume to the cascading tsunami of written literature? Would not another voice only add to cacophony of opinions which is already difficult to decipher? Will not writing distract a leader from a relational ministry? This initial installment is an attempt—a manifesto of sorts—to defend the benefits of a regular habit of writing.
First a biblical rationale: Words have always been a vital part of the Christian faith and the history of salvation: God engineered the universe through His word (Genesis 1:1); humanity fell into sin by a distortion of God’s word (Genesis 3:1); we are saved by God’s word (James 1:8; 1 Peter 1:23); we are sanctified by God’s word (John 17:17); we are brought under conviction by God’s word (Hebrews 4:12-13). Words are crucial avenues into the character and activity of God: God ordains his plan for history by His decree (Psalm 119:89); the Son saves as the Living Word (John 1:1; Revelation 19:13); the Spirit illuminates by the inspired word (1 Corinthians 2:14-16). God makes, restores, governs, and and completes with His word. He has the first and the final word; in fact, Jesus is the beginning (alpha) and the end (omega). God’s mission unfolds through the use of words. Could we imagine teaching, preaching, counseling, evangelizing, praying, worshipping, or fellowshipping without words? Words are not the only way that ministry happens, but they seem to form a load-bearing pier to the Christian faith.
Moreover, any brief historical survey who have to note the impact of words: words have sparked revolutions and ended wars, installed leaders and deposed dictators, caused businesses to crash and economies to thrive, deceived nations to oppression and ushered a people to liberation.
What moves one to make the investment in a writing lifestyle? When I weigh the variety of pressures that exert themselves on the day, it is easy to relegate writing to the periphery. Therefore, to fuel a lifestyle of writing, I have collected a handful of incentives—that will serve as occasional prompts—to a regular habit of writing. Below are four motivations (and objectives) to embarking on a pilgrimage of writing.
Theological Discourse
Writing crystallizes thoughts with necessary precision. When forced to apply pen to paper, there is a pressure that keeps the author liable for what he writes. Writing immediately binds the author to a structure of accountability. With his words (especially in the case of a church leader) he is representing God. Therefore, writing presses the author to produce accurate, succinct, clear, and relevant material. In this sense, writing can foster depth and deft in the theological formulation.
Communal Formation
Writing creates a platform for collaborative discussion and dialogue. It is hard to imagine forming a friendship without words (or communication in its various forms); it is hard to imagine forming a family without the use of words; it is hard to imagine cultivating one-mindedness on a leadership team without an open forum for the exchange, reception, and interaction of words; and it is hard to imagine forming a group of disconnected individuals into a community go believers without words. Writing can forge camaraderie and conversation in community life.
Spiritual Formation
Writing is a cathartic process of spiritual formation. Whereas the product of writing can be useful, the process of writing can be formative. It can enable a follower of Christ to have a regular rendezvous to debrief on his spiritual journey, process his present circumstance, and anticipate the road ahead. Much like consistent exercise builds a strength and stamina with a person, a habit of regular writing bolts the pilgrim to a reflective and developmental process. Writing can help build spiritual stamina for the Christian journey.
Missional Engagement
Writing ushers one into the context of mission. There is a sense in which writing can be a personal discipline that yields fruit in spiritual formation. All writing has an audience; good composition writes with the audience in mind. This means that it needs to address real issues that are relevant to the human heart and surrounding society. Writing affords an opportunity to bring God’s eternal word in conversation with the prevailing culture. Writing can help condition the disciple to the task of mission.
In sum, I hope that a habit of writing will clarify my theological thinking, will connect me in a theological dialogue with the believing community from all cultures and generations, help move me Godward in my spiritual journey, and service as a means to engage (actively participate) in the progress of the gospel.
As I see it, the habit of writing is an act of vulnerability and transparency. As any author writes, he poses himself on the page, making himself vulnerable to critic and commentator alike. It is a most honest enterprise: grappling with truth, wrestling with oneself, and pressing forward to God. Good writing (and good reading) carries this effect. Therefore, to the degree that this writing—leaving a residue of myself on the printed page—is salutary in any way, I hold Augustine’s near-concluding words of his Enchiridion as my aspiration: utinam tam commodum, quam prolixum. In all that I write “may its value be equal to its length” (Augustine, Enchiridion 122.33).