Update: A Journey and a Change of Location

Image by Dieter from Pixabay

Most of my favorite stories involve a journey - whether Frodo and Sam's quest to destroy the Ring, the Pevensie children's adventures into Narnia, or the simpler journeys of characters like Anne Shirley who traveled from the orphanage to her new home at Green Gables.

These characters usually did not know what to expect or what awaited them around that proverbial bend in the road. Like Abraham, that ancient example of faith, they had to trust even when they did not know where they were going (Hebrews 11:8). 

To take a journey is to take a step of faith. 

Although I am somewhat familiar with the platform that this blog is moving to, I am not certain of all the paths and troubles along the way. Neither am I certain of the outcomes. What I do know is that Substack has many features that can support this blog and serve my readers in greater ways. So, I am here to announce that The Cross, a Pen, and a Page is moving to Substack, a publishing platform where readers can subscribe to and follow newsletters of their choosing. I eagerly await many newsletters from this platform each month, and I hope you will find the same joy in receiving my writing in your email (if you so choose to subscribe). 

I invite you to journey with me and see what awaits us around the bend on this new platform. Regardless of the outcome, my purpose remains the same - to help others see the Great Story through the tales that populate our lives. 

May you keep reading well!

My first post is available to read, titled "The Contrast Between my Ideal and my Handiwork" (hint - the title comes from a book by Charlotte Brontë).   

The Top Ten Books I Read in 2024

Image by Tom from Pixabay

Around this time of year, I often see posts or articles about the top books that people read. I have received multiple useful suggestions from such lists, often regarding books I may have otherwise never heard about. My desire is that the following list of my favorite reads of this year would do the same for others.

(Please note, this post contains affiliate links)

1. Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter compiled by Plough Publishers

I did not know what to expect from this book but was pleasantly surprised. Through the selection of writing from a variety of writers, I was immersed in thoughts about Jesus’ sacrifice and His resurrection. This included meditations from writers like C. S. Lewis, G. K. Chesterton, Amy Carmichael, Edith Stein, Frederick Buechner, Philip Yancey, and many others. I came away from the book with a deeper understanding of how Christ’s death and resurrection radically changes all areas of life – even in regard to issues I had not fully considered before. For example, I found myself challenged through this devotional, and other books I read this year, to reconsider what I believe about issues like war and helping those in poverty. There were many areas that convicted me, as well as selections that made me pause and praise the Lord for all He has done. I place this one at the top of the list because of the Christ-centered content and the gems of writers hidden within – a beloved resource I will be using for years to come.   

2. Emily of New Moon by L. M. Montgomery

This second place in this list actually goes to the entire Emily series. As a fan of Anne of Green Gables, I was excited to read other stories by L. M. Montgomery, and I was not disappointed. The characters and setting in Emily of New Moon and the other two books are interesting and lifelike. For Mongomery’s artistry shines through in the way she crafts the scenes with humor and heart. By the end, I felt like I had visited Emily at her home and met Aunt Elizabeth, Aunt Laura, and Cousin Jimmy. And I found myself identifying more with Emily than I had with Anne (even though I am a great fan of Anne), but that will likely differ depending on the reader. Her struggles and failures as a writer were relatable to me.

My favorite book in the series would have to be Emily Climbs because of her adventures in writing and her hilarious interactions with Aunt Ruth. Although the other aunts are endearing, Aunt Ruth will continue to live on in my memory!

I mentioned Emily Climbs in an earlier blog post, which you can read here: “Loving Our Neighbors as Writers”

3. This Beautiful Truth by Sarah Clarkson

I first heard about Sarah Clarkson a year ago while listening to a podcast by Renovaré. They interviewed her about her struggle with OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and how she found restored hope through noticing the beauty that God placed around her. After hearing that interview, I intended to purchase her book This Beautiful Truth, which I finally did this year. And I am so glad I did! Sarah is a wonderful writer and draws readers into the story of her life. She deals honestly with the darkness without neglecting the Light. I found her approach to the problem of suffering and evil refreshing. She brings the reader’s focus back to the larger picture of the Great Story – that the Lord originally created the world good, but man’s sin brought in destruction. The Lord Jesus came into this broken world to redeem it, which He accomplished through His death and resurrection. And one day, He will return to restore all creation.

Sarah’s words show us that there is terrible suffering and pain in the world. We should not ignore, minimize, or argue away the darkness. However, beauty is still present, and through this beauty we receive reminders of hope and love. Evil and death do not have the final say.

I enjoyed this book immensely, which is why I now follow Sarah Clarkson’s Substack called From the Vicarage. If you are looking for book recommendations, she is a great source. Also, she has written other books including Book Girl and Reclaiming Quiet which I am looking forward to obtaining and reading.  

4. The Complete Fairy Tales by George MacDonald

George MacDonald is known as the father of modern fantasy. So, when I was preparing for my thesis focused on fantasy literature, I meant to read some of MacDonald’s works. That did not happen, and I was unable to include him in my thesis. But this year, I was finally introduced to George MacDonald through The Princess and the Goblin and The Complete Fairy Tales.

Although some readers might assume his stories are only for children, he wrote for both adults and kids. The fairy tales contain whimsical and serious themes. We find, for instance, a princess who is cursed to spend her days floating, except for when she is underwater. However, The Light Princess, for all its lighthearted magic, is a weighty story that conveys the gospel message. Many of his other works also convey strong biblically-related messages.

My favorites were The Light Princess, The Golden Key, The Wise Woman, and The History of Photogen and Nycteris. Many of the details and images in the stories capture his literary craftsmanship. I could feel Nycteris’ longing to see the sun, and Rosamond’s desperate desire in The Wise Woman to bring forth life instead of death. MacDonald accomplished the writer’s goal – to make people feel.  

Of course, I do not agree with every area of MacDonald’s theology, but his fairy tales are masterfully written and convey powerful messages that glorify Christ. His other works, including Phantastes, are on my list of books to read.

5. When the Sea Turned to Silver by Grace Lin

Drawing from Chinese folklore and fairy tales, this book follows the story of Pinmei and Yishan as they search for the luminous stone. Pinmei, who was accustomed to hearing her grandmother tell the old stories, assumed that the tales were just that – stories. But gradually through their travels, the stories come alive. This book shows the power that stories have in life, through connecting us with others and by preserving memories.

When the Sea Turned to Silver is the third book in a series by Grace Lin, which began with her award-winning Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. Not only is the book beautifully written, but it is also lovely in adornment with Grace Lin’s illustrations. I appreciate how these stories sprang from the author’s own experience with loss, and how she used grief to bring new life through this book and the others in the series.

6. The Arrow and the Crown by Emma C. Fox

This book reads like a fairy tale, which fits the theme of many other books I read this year. The Arrow and the Crown has all the enchantment of the old tales: a magical forest, a person under a spell who is forced to transform into a beast, a prince hidden in the forest, talking trees. Anna discovers that the feared Grünwald Forest is not what it seems, and secrets are hidden deep within. All these elements combine to create a magical adventure that reminds readers that light is stronger than darkness, and love is greater than any force of evil. 

What stood out to me the most was that this was a well-designed independently published book, which is something I do not typically encounter. Careful thought was placed in the layout of the book, with lovely illustrations at the beginning of the chapters. She also includes a pronunciation guide at the end of the book – which any fantasy reader will appreciate. I have read other indie books in the past, but this one set itself apart in design, quality, and storytelling.  

Emma C. Fox is an author to keep on your radar, as she will surely continue to write engaging stories. Her most recent book is The Carver and the Queen, another story that draws on old fairy and folk tales. 

7. Too Small a World: The Life of Mother Frances Cabrini by Theodore Maynard

I had not heard of Mother Cabrini until this year through the promotional trailers of Cabrini by Angel Studios. The short clips intrigued me, and I decided to read Theodore Maynard’s biography of Mother Frances Cabrini. Not only did the story of this woman’s life inspire me, but I also appreciated the way Maynard told her story. No dry lists of dates or endless historical details. He brings the audience into Cabrini’s world. The opening chapter was enough to capture my attention by reading about her arrival in New York along with other nuns to work among the poor Italian immigrants of Five Points.

There are parts that I do not agree with in terms of doctrinal differences since Cabrini was a Roman Catholic. However, there is a lot that Christians everywhere, regardless of denomination or tradition, can learn from her and celebrate. She demonstrated in her life what it means to love Christ by loving “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40). Those of us from Western contexts need this reminder to serve those who society has deemed unneeded and undesirable – like refugees, immigrants, and the poor. We need the example of Cabrini, especially now with numerous lies and myths about immigrants being propagated online and on social media.   

Faith is at the heart of this biography, as it tells the story of a woman who trusted in the Lord to do all things.      

8. An Eagle in the Snow by Michael Morpurgo

I wrote about this book in a post that included thoughts about Morpurgo’s story set in World War I. An Eagle in the Snow is based on the premise that a soldier (Billy) unknowingly spared the life of Hitler in the first World War. If he could go back and change it, would he? And if Billy had the opportunity to finish the deed, could he do it?

Tied into this book are strong themes about the power of mercy as Morpurgo raises ethical questions about life, war, and justice. These are not only questions that apply to the characters in the story but are also for us today. Do we believe that there is more power in showing mercy than in taking a life, and if so, how will that affect our choices and views?

Michael Morpurgo is a master storyteller, which is evident in the way he sets the scenes of the story. The opening chapter brings us into the perspective of a young boy and his mother on a train. Readers identify with this little family as they travel and hear the story of the mysterious passenger about the life of Billy.

Many other books have been written by Morpurgo, such as the well-loved War Horse and An Elephant in the Garden among others. These stories shatter the romance and glory that many people associate with war, showing instead how ordinary people are tragically impacted in ways that change their lives forever.    

9. The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

What does it mean to follow Jesus?

Bonhoeffer’s classic and most well-known work sets out to answer this question. He saw that many within the German church had bought into the lie of “cheap grace.” This is an empty grace in which a person is not changed, and no fruit exists in their life. The German church needed this reminder, but so does the modern church. In many ways, people continue to want to have the comfort of religion without recognizing the cost of salvation – the price Jesus paid with His life, and the costly life of discipleship He calls us to. 

For me, the greatest part of the book was Bonhoeffer’s exposition of the Sermon on the Mount. Through this passage, he walked readers through what it looks like to be a disciple. To be a follower of Christ means thirsting and hungering for righteousness, keeping our eyes on Jesus, living peacefully and pursuing peace, and combatting evil with good. There were times when I could not help but wonder about Bonhoeffer’s own decisions when reading about what he believed Jesus taught about fighting evil with good, especially regarding his involvement in the plot to assassinate Hitler. However, I greatly appreciated this book and recommend it to believers seeking to grow in their relationship with Christ. 

Be forewarned – it is a convicting and challenging read.   

10. Women Who Risk: Secret Agents for Jesus in the Muslim World by Tom and JoAnn Doyle

An inspiring book that takes readers to various places across the Middle East and introduces them to Muslim women who learn the truth that they are loved and cherished by Jesus. After coming to know Him and His love, they cannot help but use their lives to make Him known throughout the Muslim world. They risk everything to follow Christ.   

Some believers from Western countries may struggle with the stories about Muslims encountering Jesus through dreams. I understand that many Christians think that such stories are an infringement on the final authority of the Bible. However, we must remember that people in the Middle East who are having these dreams come from highly restricted backgrounds with no access to the gospel. Their culture also places an emphasis on dreams. Can Jesus not use anything to accomplish His purpose, even dreams if needed? We should praise the Lord that many Muslims are seeking out the Good News after having a vision or dream about the Savior.

Overall, the examples of these women are convicting. In the West, we are not at risk of being killed by our family and neighbors for following Jesus or sharing the gospel. Yet, these women are in dangerous contexts and are actively making disciples. What is stopping us from doing the same?   

Honorable Mentions:

• A Horse Named Sky by Rosanne Parry
• Thou Givest, They Gather: Truths Gleaned from the Word of God by Amy Carmichael
• A Blossom in the Desert: Reflections of Faith in the Art and Writings of Lilias Trotter by Miriam Huffman Rockness

Suggested Resources for Finding More Books to Read:

If you are like me and are always on the lookout for good books to read, then there are a few websites and organizations I suggest following. These include:

• Anselm Society
• Randy Alcorn’s Blog on Eternal Perspective Ministries
• Renovare
• Sarah Clarkson’s From the Vicarage
• The Rabbit Room

May your New Year be filled with books that point you to the Great Story of Jesus’ love! 

"The Lord of the Rings" and Christlike Characters

Image by Pau Llopart Cervello from Pixabay

 

In my MFA thesis, I surveyed multiple fantasy works that convey redemption and hope despite suffering and evil in the world. All the books I referenced had a Christ figure except one: The Lord of the Rings.  

Should we take this to mean Tolkien’s work failed to show the hope we have in Christ?

Tolkien’s epic does not have a distinct Christ figure like Aslan, Harry Potter, or Janner Wingfeather. But that was not his aim. He did not appreciate allegory and stated that his work of mythology was not an allegorical story. This is why we do not find a character who sacrificially gave his life to bring redemption to others – as authors such as C. S. Lewis, J. K. Rowling, and Andrew Peterson included in their stories.

But what he did with his characters was give many of them Christlike characteristics. And we would expect this from an author like Tolkien, who admitted that his deeply held beliefs impacted the stories he created (and which all people do whether they acknowledge it or not; worldview impacts what we create). As he wrote in a letter, “The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision” (The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien, 109). There is no single Christ figure in The Lord of the Rings, but there are Christlike characters – individuals who provide us with multiple pictures of Jesus.

Many scholars commonly focus on a triad of characters that depict different aspects of Christ. Author and philosopher Peter Kreeft is known for this view, in which Jesus is portrayed through the figures of Prophet (Gandalf), Priest (Frodo), and King (Aragorn). The actions of these characters reflect the various offices of the Lord Jesus, and thus, present a multi-faceted depiction of Christ.  

I heartily agree that these characters give us a picture of Christ. Who can deny that Aragorn, the King who brings healing, is Christlike in his role in the book? Or that Frodo, the Ringbearer who carried the burden of the evil of Sauron, can empathize with those under the ring's power and influence? Gandalf certainly comes close to being a Christ figure by descending to the depths, only to rise again as Gandalf the White (though Aragorn and Frodo also passed through the shadow). However, many other characters display Christlikeness.   

Two such overlooked characters are Samwise Gamgee and Faramir.

More recently, Philip Ryken included Sam into the picture of Priest alongside Frodo, as addressed in his book The Messiah Comes to Middle-Earth. But going beyond the Prophet, Priest, and King figures, I believe Sam stands out most as a character marked by Christlike servanthood. He is Frodo’s servant and gardener, and not initially esteemed on the same level as his master. Yet, he is instrumental in the task of destroying the ring. If not for Sam, who single-handedly rescued Frodo from Shelob and the Orcs, and carried him part of the way to Mount Doom, Frodo would have never survived the quest. Sam’s actions mirror those of Christ, who became a servant to save us (Mark 10:45; Philippians 2:7-11).   

The work of Sam as a gardener also reflects Christ. Sam was working to care for and tend to plants before he went on the quest with Frodo, but this role is heightened on his return to the Shire. Numerous trees had been lost under Saruman’s reign over the hobbits. These were beloved and old trees that would not be easily replaced. Yet, Sam takes on the work of restoration and renewal using the gift of a box from Galadriel which held special dust and a seed: “So Sam planted saplings where specially beautiful or beloved trees had been destroyed, and he put a grain of the precious dust in the soil at the root of each” (The Return of the King, 330). This picture of bringing life and healing from destruction and death points to the redeeming work of Jesus in our lives.

Another Christlike character in Tolkien’s epic is Faramir. He is not the favored son of Denethor, though he is arguably the greater of the two brothers. Sam compares him to Gandalf because of his wisdom, though Faramir attributes this quality to his Numenorean ancestry. Unlike Boromir, Faramir rejects the temptation of the ring because he has no desire to wield power over others. His people had to adopt war as a way of survival, but he does not delight in the use of force and weapons. As he said, “War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend: the city of the Men of Numenor” (The Two Towers, 314).

Honorably, he offers Frodo aid and shows mercy to Gollum – though he had the right to take the creature’s life. Faramir continually stands by his beliefs in loyalty, courage, and honor, even going so far as to put himself in peril to serve his father, who favored his brother over him. Boromir was known for prowess and renown in war, but Faramir is a man of wisdom who shows strength by offering mercy and desiring to uphold life, rather than take it. He might not be as widely discussed as other characters. However, Faramir, like Sam, displays attitudes and actions that resemble the love and wisdom of Jesus. 

What is unique about Tolkien’s creation of characters is that they reflect Christ while also giving us examples to follow. We receive a lesson in mercy by observing Frodo’s change of heart and his willingness to pity those who are enslaved to the evil of Sauron. From Sam, we see what it means to love and serve another in the truest form of friendship – despite suffering and hardship. Humbleness is evident in Aragorn, who though the rightful king as the heir of Isildur, willingly serves his people by bringing healing. Faramir shows us that protecting and cultivating life is more honorable than skill in war or seeking prominence (as he helps Eowyn learn). All these characters show us glimpses of Jesus and what it means to be Christlike, inviting us to travel alongside them to learn to imitate the Savior.

Although a Jesus figure is not present in Tolkien’s Middle-Earth epic, the story is so infused with Christlike characters and themes that it glorifies and magnifies the Savior. It is truly a Christian work that captures what Tolkien termed as eucatastrophe, a sudden joyous turn, poignant as grief – which is exemplified in the greatest Story of the Lord Jesus’ death and resurrection.   

Works Cited

Tolkien, J. R. R. The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien. Edited by Humphrey Carpenter and Christopher Tolkien, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013. EBSCO.

-- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Ballantine, 2012.

-- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Ballantine, 2012.

The Strength of Mercy

 

Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay

I have been reading Michael Morpurgo’s stories for over a decade now, and what I appreciate most about his works is that they make me think about important issues. A lot of his books deal with war, such as in Toro! Toro! or the classic War Horse. And although these stories are works of fiction, they are based on historical events. I have been personally challenged to reevaluate my beliefs about war after reading Morpurgo’s stories.

An Eagle in the Snow is another such book. War is a major aspect of the story, and we see depictions of the suffering that the killings and bombings caused during both world wars. But more than anything, I believe an overarching theme in this story is the strength of mercy.

The book follows the story of Billy (based on a real soldier in WWI named William Tandey). In the story, he spares the life of a German soldier after a successful attack. So many men had already died that day, on both sides, and he did not think the man was a threat. Many years later, though, he realizes that the man he had spared was none other than Adolf Hitler. He becomes consumed with guilt over his part in allowing Hitler to live and cause terrible suffering. Eventually, this drives him to create a new plan – one which involves doing what he thinks he should have done earlier. To kill Hitler.

But even then, he cannot do it.

The reader is left to decide what he or she thinks about Billy’s choice. Was he right in showing mercy? Should we fight evil with evil, or is mercy and a dedication to goodness more powerful?

Too often, I think people view compassion and mercy as weaknesses. We might be tempted to read the story of Billy and assume he was a coward. Surely, the hero should slay the villain!

Often, they do. As I thought about this story, though, I could not help but think of another story with themes of mercy, written by a man who served in WWI and lived through both wars. I am reminded of how, in J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, Frodo regretted Bilbo’s sparing of Gollum’s life. He was convinced that Bilbo should have killed the terrible creature when he had the chance. But then Gandalf shares his wisdom.

As he says, “Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike without need … Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends. I have not much hope that Gollum can be cured before he dies, but there is a chance of it. And he is bound up with the fate of the Ring. My heart tells me that he has some part to play yet, for good or ill, before the end; and when that comes, the pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many – yours not least” (Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, 65-66).

Did Hitler, like Gollum, deserve death? Yes, but as Gandalf said, there are many who deserve to die but live. Evil people often thrive in the world while those who seek to do right die. The real question is what are we to do with the evil we see around us? We can either multiply it by choosing to fight evil with evil or seek to do good with the time we have been given. To cultivate healing and light in our broken, dark world.

There is more strength and virtue in showing mercy than in demonstrating force. The mercy that held Billy’s hand that day was the same mercy that made him pause and help a girl affected by the war when he was a soldier. And to help his friends when they were injured. Likewise, the pity of Bilbo influenced Frodo, who came to pity Gollum, and even Saurman and Wormtongue.

Of course, we should not remain silent about evil but name it for what it is. We need to speak up against injustice and oppression, serving as a voice for the voiceless. However, we are meant to overcome evil with good. As 1 Peter 3:9 says, “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” (NIV).

Choosing to show mercy is an act of defying the darkness in the world. It does not make us weak. Rather, mercy is a strength of those who dare to believe that doing good and showing Christlike love is more powerful than any evil in the world.  

 

Works Cited

Morpurgo, Michael. An Eagle in the Snow. Square Fish, 2015.

Tolkien, J. R. R. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Del Rey, 2012.

 

 

  

 

Loving Our Neighbors as Writers

 

Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay

    A writer’s job is often lonely work. Sitting behind a computer, typing and retyping sentences, we forget that people will one day read our words. A face will gaze at a screen, a booklet, or a novel that contains our words. This is not an empty face – one that symbolizes the crowds – but the face of a person. Someone who has opinions, dreams, questions, and emotions.

    A real person, not a theory, will read and process the stories we create or the articles we craft.

    For this reason, a writer’s work has a relational component. The words we weave together touch the lives of people. We can easily forget this in the wild flurry of creativity. All we see is the raw creation in our hands as we sit alone and are blinded to any marks of darkness or ill intent.

    Emily Byrd Starr experiences this in Emily Climbs when she writes a mocking obituary poem about old Peter DeGeer to spite her Aunt Elizabeth. In sheer delight at her creation, she takes the poem to her teacher, Mr. Carpenter, and proudly presents it to him. She soon realizes her mistake when he asks her if such writing is worthwhile. 

    As he told her, “There is a place for satire – there are gangrenes that can only be burned out – but leave the burning to the great geniuses. It’s better to heal than hurt. We failures know that … Be merciful to the failures, Emily. Satirize wickedness if you must – but pity weakness” (Montgomery 25). She had not only created hateful, mocking words about a man who had recently died but had also hurt her friend who already felt like a failure.       

    To not consider the impact of our words, and to use them to wound instead of to heal, shows we do not care about others. We do not love our neighbor.

    During my MFA degree program, I studied under a professor who reminds me somewhat of Mr. Carpenter from the Emily of New Moon series. He had a way of helping students see reality and truth, just as Emily's teacher did. His classes introduced me to authors who could paint scenes that transformed ordinary moments into something magical, but also writers who used their craft to create stories that left me shaking my head, wondering why anyone would want to make something so vulgar and ugly. In his lectures, he taught literature and the craft of writing while drawing the students back into a biblical framework for writing. He often asked jarring questions – ones that awakened us to the reality that we have an audience of living, breathing humans. What we write will affect them, just as I was affected by the stories of the authors he assigned us to read. 

    “How can you love your neighbor through your writing?” He asked in multiple of his lectures.

    Loving our readers, as our Savior wants, means writing the best we can with clarity and preciseness. However, loving our readers also means much more. As I pondered this instruction, I knew it also meant thinking of my tone and intent in a piece. Do I come across as sarcastic, angry, or condescending in my writing? Am I fair in my presentation of arguments, or am I tilting my paper in favor of the position I favor? Is the story I am writing something beautiful, true, and good? Not that I am ignoring the harsh realities in life or the brokenness in the world. Rather, I should write with the knowledge that my writing can influence people for good or evil. Will I point them toward the light or push them farther into the darkness?

    Let us not deceive ourselves into thinking that creativity and writing are excluded from questions of morality. What people fill their eyes, ears, and minds influences their actions. Although readers have free will and choose to read the things they do, writers carry a responsibility. If what we have written wounds someone, or leads them to stumble into sin, then our Lord will hold us accountable on the day of judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10). He will tell us that we had not loved our neighbor – or Him for that matter – when we chose to stuff books and articles with words of hate, bitterness, or vulgarity.

    A writer’s job is a responsibility. We must choose what to do with the keypad or pen that sits in front of us. Will we write with a love for others, directing them to the Light? Or will we allow darkness to creep out of our hearts and onto the page to infect more people? 

    I pray that each of us will choose love. 

“If I can write an unkind letter, speak an unkind word, think an unkind thought without grief and shame, then I know nothing of Calvary love” (Amy Carmichael, If, 15). 

Sources

Carmichael, Amy. If. CLC Publications, 2018.

Montgomery, L. M. Emily Climbs. Virago, 2014.

Further Reading

• Practicing discernment in what we choose to read is important. Randy Alcorn has an excellent blog post about this, called “What You Read Builds Who You Are,” and provides insights worth considering.
• Katelyn J. Dixon shares her thoughts on the power of words in this beautifully written essay, “The Given Word” on Renovaré.
• As we write, or speak, to others, we are wise to pray and ask for the Lord’s help. We are dependent on Him in all areas of life. In “The Writer’s Prayer,” Dan Balow provides some written prayers we can use to get started. Consider also reading St. Thomas Aquinas’ “A Prayer Before Study.”
• In a previous blog post, “The Power of Words,” I wrote about the impact that writing and words can have on our lives. Often, the art we create can influence people in ways we do not expect.  
• One of the stories I read in a class taught by the professor I mentioned in this post inspired a New Year’s essay centered around Leo Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilych. Living with an eternal mindset is important for us all, including writers.   

Books as Doorways: Thoughts about Summer Reading

 

Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

    People seem to read less and less every year. This trend saddens me because children, teens, and adults alike will miss the way books can expand thinking and perspective or increase the ability to empathize with others. They also miss an opportunity to cultivate character and faith.  

    When I was growing up, summers usually included an emphasis on book reading. Of course, my mother read to my sisters and me throughout the year. She even had a special fenced-in area built in the back of our yard that she called “the secret garden.” There, sitting on plastic chairs among birds singing, she would turn on an audiobook. I vividly remember sitting in one of those chairs, slightly unsteady on the bricks, listening to parts of the Artemis Fowl series.

    Summer, though, brought reading challenges and events at the library. As a child, this looked like attending story time in which an elderly librarian read us picture books or staged a play with puppets. Movies were also sometimes involved and plenty of charts to color in as we finished books. Later, my mother sent my sisters and me to the library for teenager-themed events such as making collages or a hobbit house. We often spent hot or stormy afternoons browsing shelves of books and leaving with armfuls of new stories.

    There’s always something about a stack or shelf of books that excites me. Some people only see books gathering dust. But me? I see doorways into new worlds waiting to be explored, adventures that take me out of day-to-day problems, new friends to make and old ones to visit, and different perspectives to learn and consider. Books entertain but also teach and give encouragement.

    During those summers, I learned about history, the world, and places that fill the imaginations of countless people. In the pages of The Witch of Blackbird Pond, I learned more about colonial America while books like The Nine Pound Hammer series introduced me to American folklore. Traveling for vacation was not an affordable option for my family in my tweens or teens, but I could “travel” to places like Sherwood Forest, Camelot, and Middle-earth. I could also visit Victorian England with Sherlock Holmes or join Sebastian and his cat, Presto, on a journey in The Marvelous Misadventures of Sebastian. Numerous adventures awaited me without having to leave home.

    The options for encountering new stories were endless. As a teenager, I eagerly discovered that my local library carried other titles from J. R. R. Tolkien. Roverandom was a delightful find, pulling me out of the setting of my everyday life to travel to the moon and sea with Rover and to meet a sand wizard. If I could go back, I would advise my teenage self to wait to read The Children of Hurin in the context of The Silmarillion instead of as a standalone story (since I would have found solace knowing that the reader is not supposed to like Turin). However, learning more about the history of Middle-earth was enjoyable. Tolkien’s writings always contained a sense of purpose and beauty mixed with sadness, which intrigued me. I never tired of exploring the world he made.  

    Some people may think that all of this proves that kids and teenagers merely need entertainment during the summer. The books my mother read to me and those I enjoyed on my own did keep me occupied. My reading skills were also sharpened, and I learned about other places, people, and cultures.

    Visiting the library and developing a love for reading, though, was much more than escapism and entertainment. In books, I encountered people who took part in quests that were greater than themselves. Characters sacrificed for those they loved and cultivated enduring friendships. These stories brought me joy and sorrow, and sometimes a combination of both. I believe God used this time to grow within me the longing to be a part of something greater, to know that my life, too, had meaning. The yearning increased the older I got, and I delved farther into books to try and discover the source of it all. Little did I know that the Lord was leading me to Himself, drawing me closer to the point when I would place faith in Him. For in Jesus, I found the fulfillment of my yearning. I might not travel to Mount Doom to destroy a powerful ring like Frodo and Samwise, but in Christ, I learned that my life has a purpose – one that is grander than any quest or mission in a story.

    Lessons and themes we glean from books as kids and the ones we learn now are worth the effort of walking into a bookstore or library. Some will question our choice to tuck ourselves away for a few moments each day to read a story. Others may say we are wasting our time. But those of us who know the True Story understand that the books we read can lead to great discoveries and opportunities for growth. Hope, courage, adventure, sacrificial love, and a longing for home can be found within the pages of books. We may even find that a story leads us straight to the Great Author Himself.    

My Adventures as a Writer – What I’ve Learned About Research

 

Image by Dariusz Sankowski from Pixabay

Although students often feel intimidated by research when writing papers and major projects, research can lead to interesting discoveries. This is true whether someone gathers information for a fiction novel or an article. The method of research will be different: One topic might require observing a sword fight or riding a horse, while the other involves searching through databases and flipping through books. Either way, the process can be an adventure.   

As a writer for a Christian website, I regularly engage in research on various topics including the Bible, Christian history, apologetic issues, and practical advice for everyday Christian living. Writing about a wide range of topics involves different research techniques at times, but I use a few basic skills to get me started. In this blog post, I am going to share some of the basics about researching and writing for Christian websites.

How do I know what I need to research?

Knowing what to research often depends on the website and editor you are writing for. I have written for Got Questions and currently write for a variety of sites on Salem Web Network, including Christianity.com. The editors typically assign specific article topics in the form of questions or allow me to pick from a list of topics. For these types of articles, the research required is already focused, although I still try to craft a main thesis for the article.

However, there are times when the assigned or chosen topic is not entirely clear. At this point, I usually do one of two things. I contact the editor I am working with to ask for clarification about the topic. Or I try to narrow down the topic myself, deciding on which angle I could take when writing the article.

An example of this was when I was assigned an article topic about why Christians say that everything happens for a reason. In doing preliminary research, I realized that the website I was writing for already had an article on this topic, which prompted me to send an email to the editor. She narrowed down the topic for me by saying she wanted an article that focused on how this common phrase, “everything happens for a reason,” is misleading and unhelpful when someone is grieving the loss of a loved one. A simple email for clarification helped me to narrow down my research topic.

Another important note is that freelance writers are usually required to pitch their articles. Freelancers need to keep in mind the purpose and scope of a website before pitching an article and engaging in research. To start, I recommend familiarizing yourself with the website and reading any guidelines about what the editors want and are expecting from writers.

Where do I find sources?

When writing about biblical and theological topics, I regularly use websites, books, and journal articles that I trust.

The main source I use is the Bible. Keeping a print Bible next to me on the table when I write is helpful, especially if I have specific verses in mind. Online Bible websites are also valuable sources for quickly copying and pasting verses into the article I’m writing, such as Bible Gateway and Bible Hub. Seeing multiple versions of Scripture is important as well since it helps me better understand the language of the passage.

Other sources I use to find information include:

• Bible commentaries (both in print and online)
• Online Greek and Hebrew concordances
• Scholarly journals and databases (such as Galaxie)
• Theology books
• Church history books and encyclopedias
• Christian websites

    Using these sources regularly enables me to find information quickly and efficiently when writing articles.

How do I know if a source is credible and appropriate for my project?

If I know the focus of my topic and have done preliminary research, then assessing the credibility and appropriateness of sources is easier. When thinking about credibility, we need to ask questions such as:

• Who wrote this? Are they knowledgeable about this topic?
• How old is this source? Is it outdated or current? Even if it is an older source, is the content still relevant?
• Is this source presenting misleading information?

Evaluating the appropriateness of a source includes remembering the topic and thesis of an article as well as considering the audience and purpose for writing. If I am writing about a deep theological discussion, such as the debate about limited and unlimited atonement, then quoting popular devotional writers might not be appropriate for my article.

In contrast, if I am writing to encourage people who are grieving, then listing apologetic arguments about suffering from leading scholars is not the best option. My audience will not appreciate an academic approach to a personally difficult experience.

How do I incorporate sources into my writing?

I have found that many editors expect writers to synthesize the information they researched in their own words. If specific quotes are used, these are usually given attribution through a hyperlink.

Depending on the editor or website, though, there might be specific guidelines for citing sources. Some might prefer Chicago, AP, MLA, or an abbreviated form of a style. Christian websites and publications may require a knowledge of The Christian Writer’s Manual of Style, which is the standard style for the Christian publishing industry.  

If in doubt about citing a source, it is best to contact the editor and/or check any guidelines they provide.

Any resource recommendations?

I have found the following sources helpful when writing about biblical topics:

• Basic Theology by Charles C. Ryrie – If you plan to write regularly about the Bible and theology, then I highly recommend this source. It is a helpful guide in understanding key doctrines in Scripture.
• NET Bible – This is a wonderful source for delving into specific verses or passages. Not only can you read the Bible fully online, but you also have access to commentary, notes, and the original biblical languages. 
• Oxford Concise Dictionary of the Christian Church by E. A. Livingstone – I suggest this source since it contains short, informative entries about theology and church history. It provides an overview of a topic and is a great starting place when doing preliminary research.
• The Bible Knowledge Commentary edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck – An indispensable source for researching specific verses and passages, as well as understanding context and background. The Old Testament and New Testament versions are always on a shelf near where I write.

Having a reliable set of books and websites is important for writers. The more readily available the resources are, the quicker you can begin your research on a topic. Although the search will likely lead to other sources, the journey is much easier with a list of websites or a stack of books.

And that is when the adventure begins – learning from research, crafting words, moving around parts, and editing a piece for publication.

Music and Story - The State of Modern Christian Art

 Image by Free Fun Art from Pixabay

    The past few posts have examined how music and story overlap. Songs influence writers, and the created works of authors have impacted music. Another area where music and story meet is in the discussion of modern Christian music and literature.

    People from mainstream and Christian circles criticize Christian art, including music and literary forms. For example, numerous forums exist online arguing that most contemporary Christian music is cheesy. Others claim that these musicians lack creativity and artful expression. As Emily Hughes wrote in an article for Musical Mum, “Most [Christian musicians] are repetitive and lack the depth and creativity that secular artists often display.”

    The same is true of modern Christian literature, especially Christian fiction. Many individuals insist that the fiction books created by Christians lack depth and insight or read like a sermon. They criticize writers who do not use profanity and lament that works of Christian art are too clean and unrelated to the experiences of modern people.

    While I acknowledge that lots of the critiques of Christian art often seek to provide constructive feedback and ideas for improvement, such as the article by Emily Hughes, a lot of these judgments fail to recognize that there are numerous examples of believers who are making beautiful, true, and good pieces of art. They might not be as popular or well-known as mainstream artists, but they do exist. Should we dismiss all Christian artists if there are a few bland musicians and writers? And should we think art has no purpose or worth if it is created by a Christian with the intent to “say something?”

    I argue, no. In fact, believers in Jesus are in the position to create the best and most beautiful work because they are redeemed and devoted to serving Christ. Who else is better suited to create art that is beautiful, true, and good than someone who knows the One who is the Truth and is most beautiful and good? Scripture also encourages us to think about what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy, which provides us with opportunities to create truly beautiful art (Philippians 4:8).  

    For artists who know Jesus, the task is not to erase any reference or mention to faith or truth, but to merge the virtues of beauty, truth, and goodness in unity. As Andrew Peterson wrote in Adorning the Dark, a proper approach to Christian art is not about avoiding an agenda in our art (many Christians do have an agenda when writing books or songs; they want to incorporate a truth or point to Christ), but to ensure that we do not neglect beauty (84-85). The place where artists can “go wrong is when we tilt the scales away from grace, or beauty, or excellence, as if truth were all that mattered” (86).

    More Christians need to focus on combining these virtues into their art. However, there are already numerous Christians who are creating excellent art. Andrew Peterson has created works that resonate with many people. His young adult fantasy series, The Wingfeather Saga, is popular among Christians and non-Christians because it tells a gripping story. He follows his advice of promoting truth, but also telling a story with excellence and beauty.

    Another author, Christine Cohen, a finalist for the 2020 Christie Award, has also succeeded in creating delightful stories that are compelling and well-written. One such story is a fantasy novel, The Winter King. Although she might not neatly fall into the Christian fiction or mainstream category, her works convey significant themes through well-written characters and plots. As the director of the MFA program for New Saint Andrews College, she sees craft and biblical truth as equally important in the work of an author. On the college’s blog, she is quoted as saying, “Technical proficiency must be paired with a firm commitment to Scripture as the authoritative and inerrant Word of God.”

    The same is true of music. There are a multitude of artists who are creating works of truth with emotional depth and creativity. Some of these songwriters and bands may not label themselves as “Christian artists,” but their music conveys biblical themes and truth. Others do place themselves under the genre of Christian music but are challenging what it looks like to make music as believers. They deal more openly with struggles and questions in life.

    The following playlist serves as a representation of these types of musicians. Each section highlights a specific theme, including emotional depth, creativity, desire for justice, authentic praise, honesty, and hope.      

    Of course, this does not mean that combining truth, beauty, and goodness is easy. At times, musicians and writers could be tempted to compromise one of the areas in favor of the others. I believe this is why Christians lean so much toward truth instead of keeping a balance of all three virtues. Often, biblical truth is what individuals forsake or neglect to appear relevant. We have all heard of Christian artists who “left the faith” or compromised biblical teachings. The temptation to appease the world is strong. For instance, I struggled to decide to include Page CXVI (named after the page number in C. S. Lewis's The Magician’s Nephew when Aslan sings Narnia into existence) on the playlist because of their current support of unbiblical theology. Since their early works focused on modernizing hymns for the younger generation, though, I decided to include them as an example of what believers can do when they work together to create art that glorifies God.

    We need more Christian artists who are committed to following Jesus and developing excellence in their craft. However, we should not overlook that there are already many who are doing just that. Critics will continue to bemoan the artistic work of believers, but a great deal of literature and music they are creating is beautiful, true, and good. For Christians know the Lord, the Author of everything beautiful, true, and good in the world. The more we grow closer to Him, the more we will create works of art that glorify Him.

Works Cited

Hughes, Emily. “Why Is Christian Music So Cheesy?” Musical Mum, 28 Sept. 2022, Why Is Christian Music So Cheesy? - Musical Mum.  

“NSA Announces Author Christine Cohen as Director of MFA.” New Saint Andrews College Blog, 29 Mar. 2023, https://nsa.edu/blog/nsa-announces-author-christine-cohen-as-director-of-mfa.

Peterson, Andrew. Adorning the Dark: Thoughts on Community, Calling, and the Mystery of Making. B&H Books, 2019.  

Resources for Further Study

• On the Renovare Life with God Podcast, Nathan Foster interviewed Matthew Clark, who provided thoughtful insights about art and truth on the episode, “The Gift of Truth.”
• Although I do not agree with all areas of R. C. Sproul’s theology, he does have an interesting series of lectures about Christianity and the arts called Recovering the Beauty of the Arts. I recommend the first in the series, “Aesthetics in Recent History,” which is free to view on Ligonier’s website.