On this post I will be writing on what I thought of Julie Bogart’s (founder of Brave Writer – a language arts curriculum) opinion on how to use your religious beliefs in your writing.
brief summery of what Brave Writer says and what I agree and disagree with
Basically, Brave Writer suggests to try to keep your religious beliefs almost to yourself. I think Julie’s logic is that, because there are so little Christians in schools these days, you have to know how to write without letting your faith “interfere”. At least, that’s how it came across to me.
To me, it seems like she says to not use the Bible because “not everyone agrees with it” and “your audience most likely won’t have Christians”. And while both of those things are true, there’s also a point that seems very critical and important that Julie failed to highlight (at least, from what I read). And that point is:
it doesn’t matter if they agree or not. The Bible is true and right and it is, in fact, the most reliable source.
Brave Writer used the topic of abortion for an example. Julie states:
“when writing about abortion, the goal isn’t to defend a Christian perspective of abortion (using the Bible or historical Christian or theological development as your source of authority). It’s not enough to say that God is against murder. The goal is to explain the broadness range of readers why abortion is wrong.”
–Julie Bogart, Brave Writer
But to me as a Christian, at least for my opinion, I can’t say why I think it’s wrong if I can’t use my beliefs as a Christian. It’s not just that “God is against murder”, it’s much more. He is the Creator and He makes beautiful things and man was created in His image.
I agree with her that you don’t have to make it all about your faith. But you shouldn’t leave out your faith just to get a good grade or to please the public. You might get some disagreements or a bad grade; but you also might open the eyes of at least some of your audience to change their mind and make them realize there is an intelligent design artist out there and He can save.
That, to me, is worth it.
my overall thoughts
Okay, so I don’t want to attack Julie on her methods, exactly, but I’ve got to say I don’t agree with them, overall. I think that we should include our faith in our writing especially when the topic is heavy and calls for the sturdiness and knowledge of the Bible.
You don’t have to mention God or what you believe in every single paper. But instead of fully relying on only scientific facts, don’t be afraid to be bold in your faith. In mainly the big debates, but in the small ones too.
Because we are called to be disciples… and Jesus never said that didn’t include our essays and papers 😉
Well thank you for reading my post! I hope you enjoyed it and look forward to the ones to come!
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