Copyright 2013 Theresa Harvard Johnson
Introduction
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to encounter hundreds of literary ministers either through teaching at conferences and events, by phone, in passing or by email. Generally, they fall in three categories as it relates to scribal ministry: (1) those who are Christian but have not acquired a vision for writing as a Christian, (2) those who are Christian and are committed to missional style writing; and (3) those who write only as they are led, empowered or inspired by Holy Spirit. All three groups, however, can struggle with understanding the conversation surrounding secular and sacred.
No matter who I am speaking with, eventually I hear statements like this: “I think I’m going to write a secular book instead of a Christian book because I can reach more people or I don’t want my book to speak in that Christian language or sound preachy.”
Lately, this entire conversation has brought great concern to my heart. It caused me to consider this truth: We may not understand our calling to the literary realm the way we think we do. It seems as if there is:
1. Some confusion surrounding what is secular and what is sacred.
2. A perception that our voice in the Kingdom needs correcting, aligning or shifting to fit in. This is only true if our goals are not firmly set on the Kingdom.
3. A strange belief that a book written free of scripture or Christian-ease is somehow secular.
4. An underlining judgment and criticism that stands before writers who use language may be for a Christian audience.
While we could continue to add to this list, it is fair to consider that perhaps “it’s how we divide sacred and secular” that is really at issue versus these varying arguments. Could it be that we have confused secular with sinful or that we have made secular to mean the Lord stands in disapproval of anything that doesn’t have a devout approach?
Foundation Setting
First, there is a need to clarify the term “secular.” In The School of the Scribe, this word is used to define any activity that does not have sacred value. For example, putting on my shoes or taking a math class is secular. Combing my hair is secular. Basically, if something does not have an intrinsic spiritual value it is secular. What is important to note, however, is that secular does not mean something is sinful. Secular is also useful, necessary or even entertaining in a healthy sense.
When we understand that sinful is a construct based on things that oppose God, it changes our thought process. Sinful can clearly be understood to be anything that opposes God. Psalm 106:35-39 provides a pretty good picture of what being “sinful” looks like. It reads:
“…but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs. They worshiped their idols which became a snare to them. They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was desecrated by their blood. They defiled themselves by what they did; by their deeds they prostituted themselves. Also note 1 John 2:15-17.
In a similar way, we should consider the word sacred. Sacred literally means that something is set apart for use by the Lord. It is representative of purity and holiness. For example, taking communion is sacred. Personal times of prayer is sacred. Journaling with the Lord is sacred. The stories of Jesus’ work in the earth is sacred to those who believe.
The bottom line is this: Those writers who are committed to Christ would never write a sinful book. And for prophetic writers, those who declare that they write what the Lord speaks to their heart, will only release works that reveal the Father. What those works look like, however, are all based on that particular writer’s calling and the Lord’s intention in their lives. Even more, the writing might indeed be secular, fully sacred or a combination of both.
For example, I’ve read many fiction books that teach children how to handle bullying or non-fiction books that help people with weight loss. Those books are not sacred, they are secular… and needful. If written by a believer with a burden to help in this area, they are fully directed by the Spirit regardless of the audience.
This is the truth that I believe many of need right now: If you are writer instructed in the Kingdom of Heaven, then you will write what is pleasing to the Lord – whether secular or sacred. The Lord knows what we need and has people in all segments of society that are destined to produce work that is both secular and sacred.
We can’t get lost in religious ideals of what that looks like. Doing so WILL CRIPPLE many believers who are being awakened to write and publish. And guess what, you can be PROPHETICALLY LED to write a secular book!
THE BOOK MAY NOT HAVE AN OBVIOUS SACRED VALUE, BUT THE VESSEL IT FLOWS FROM IS HOLY.
A holy vessel will ALWAYS pour out what is holy – whether it is riddled with Christian ease or not. An unholy vessel produces what could never stand before a Holy God.
BE FREE! BE YOU IN CHRIST!
