|
Our God is a communicating God. He has communicated with humankind throughout history, with individuals in relation to His will for them and with messengers who were to convey His message to others. God speaks to humankind through His creation, by the actions He performs, in written form (the Bible), and through His Son, Jesus Christ.
The Bible has a surprising amount to say about writing and its value. In addition, the Word itself demonstrates a variety of techniques, subjects, and styles of writing, all of which can serve as legitimate patterns for us.
God recognizes writing as a powerful tool to influence people because He wrote (Exodus 32:16), He instructed others to write (Deuteronomy 17:18-20), and He has kept records (Revelation 20:12). He has used writers throughout history to accomplish His purposes and to communicate His love and principles. Many were writers of the books of the Bible, church fathers who gave detailed accounts of the early church, and reformation writers who spread the message of the Bible as the authority for Christian life and church practice.
God uses many kinds of writing for His purposes. He gave us historical writings, lists, genealogies, land distribution records, poetry, proverbs, letters, and sermons. The Bible deals not only with our vertical relationships but also with all areas of life-physical, mental, moral, emotional, social, spiritual, family, and so on. Writing that follows God’s plan makes use of numerous techniques (such as similes, metaphors, contrasts, quotations, allusions, rhetorical questions, parables, etc.)
There are times when writing is better than speaking. To be effective, writing demands careful research, documentation, and wise expression (Ecclesiastes 12:9-12). In its presentation, writing should be clear and legible (Deuteronomy 27:8). Writing is closely tied to not only the language arts program but the entire curriculum.
The use of written materials in teaching make it possible for learners to review what has been presented in other ways and to study it more deeply. Helping our students to think critically and constructively from a Bible-based, Christian worldview should be one of our major concerns. Students and teachers must be engaged in both the study of writing and the study of the Bible in order for this kind of integration to take place. The Christian teacher must continually search for ways to involve students in learning writing from a biblical world and life view.
| 
