“Evangelicals have not tried to capture the intellectual initiative as much as we should. We haven’t challenged and developed the minds of our generation. Though there are many exceptions, generally we evangelicals have failed to present to the world great thinkers, theologians, artists, scientists, and so forth.” ~ Billy Graham, in an interview with Christianity Today
This quote disturbs me. My question is, have we so surrendered to God and let His Word seal our hearts, that when we write, His Spirit infuses our craft? We each have a contribution to make. If we abide in Him, the fruit will grow. That’s all I know.
November 29, 2006 - 12:59 pm
4 Responses to “The Writing Challenge”
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
Leave a comment
on November 29, 2006 - 1:50 pm
I agree with Billy Graham, our generation has dropped the ball. Until Frank Peretti, Christian fiction was practically nonexistent. But the kids today seem to get it. I am so impressed with what I see. I know it has lit a fire under me.
on November 30, 2006 - 2:40 pm
Thank you for this thought provoking quote. I believe my calling is to artists in the fringe element. I will be doing a Poetry Reading at the Rogue Festival in Fresno, CA in March 2007. My poetry is not infused with Christian themes necessarily. I am a believer. God has been working on my life since my youth - but I spent many years on the fringe myself. My poetry is honest. It is gritty and sometimes very painful. Yet - as my life turned around through God’s Grace, my writing softened and changed focus. I’m hoping this will come across in my art. I don’t think I’m supposed to be a blatant evangelist - but an honest artist, able to give an answer for the hope I now have - if someone should ask. How’s that?
on December 1, 2006 - 12:46 pm
Vicki, this quote is a lot to digest. I believe it’s true in many areas. A study (by the Barnum group, if I remember correctly) shows that young adults have dropped out of church by the droves, and one reason (”experts” believe) is that they were taught to react but to not ask why. Believing is one thing, but knowing how to step out and untangle problems with God’s help is another.
We need to think of why we believe as we do, or our witness to the world comes off sounding stilted, as if we have been force-fed our faith.
on December 7, 2006 - 1:56 pm
Sure do appreciate all your comments and insights. Thanks for visiting, David, Liesl, and Bonnie (Macromoments).