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Lesson Seven: Rightly Handling the Word
The Sixth CWG Commandment
You shall "rightly handle the Word of God." (II Timothy 2:15)
Preparation and Prayer
Bring to the meeting:
» A Bible and your 3-ring binder
» Articles you are currently writing (enough copies for all)
» Any pieces published since the last meeting
As you open your meeting:
» Pray for your audience, the editors and others in your group.
» Pray for God's Word to reach into the readers' hearts.
» Pray that He will use your writing as His instrument to speak His truth.
Establishing the Vision: Allowing God's Word to be the Message Scripture: 11 Timothy 2:15-16
If our hearts are filled with self, we will always shade the truth for our own advantage. Our whole thrust must be out of a loving desire to bring readers out of error and into sound doctrine. We do not write to convince others we're right; we write to lead them to Jesus. Our writing must stubbornly, unwaveringly, faithfully point to God as the author of Truth.
This is more difficult than it seems. Once we take a stand on an issue, it is hard to present God's Truth without letting our own opinions take over. Only with constant, prayerful attention to God's Word can we be faithful in handling it.
How to Rightly Handle God's Word
We can describe ourselves as craftsmen wielding a tool: God's Word. Are we using it the way it was intended by the Master Craftsman?
Rightly handling God's word also means using its full and accurate context. Taking a verse out of context to make it fit the intent of your article is not only misleading; it is dishonest. Lesson Four showed the importance of knowing God and having an intimate knowledge of His Word. It is also important that we communicate His Word accurately and honestly.
» Use Scripture in its entire context.
Many Americans might think that the Bible says, "money is the root of all evil," when in fact it really says, "the love of money is the root of all evil." The meaning changes when seen in its full context! Never write into God's Word more - or less - than He intended.
» Use a Scripture passage in balance with the rest of God's Word. One might see Old Testament stories of God's wrath upon evil nations as the full picture of a vengeful, jealous God, unless it is balanced with the mercy found at the cross.
» Continually scrutinize your own societal values and opinions. Strive to keep your biblical interpretation free of ethnic or social biases.
Avoid Godless Chatter
Paul warned Timothy to avoid godless "chatter," what some falsely call "knowledge" and leads people astray (I Tim. 6:20) We must take this warning to heart as we write. Greek translation of this is "common, empty discussion of vain and useless matters." Godless chatter includes:
» Arguing over petty issues instead of instructing God's Word. This wastes our valuable time and discredits us. Spend your time and talent on topics which are uplifting, encouraging and challenging.
» Gossiping or repeating untruths.
The Ninth Commandment admonishes against false testimony. This includes deliberate distortion of the truth. Passing along information that is even partially untrue, or of which you have no personal knowledge or experience, can backfire. Establish a good name - a reputation for honest writing. (Proverbs 22: 1)
» Slander - Applying harmful or demeaning labels.
It hurts us to be called "homophobe," "reactionary," or "religious fanatic." Labels hurt others as well.
Go Deeper in Study
Carefully handling God's Word includes truly understanding its original intent and meaning. Christian writers should spend time in systematic study. Include in your study such areas as the meaning of words in their original language, the historical and cultural context of the passages, and how biblical principles can be applied today. Greek/Hebrew dictionaries, books of Bible commentary, and books which describe biblical times in a historical context are most helpful.
Questions for Discussion:
» Have you ever been misquoted or had the experience of having your words taken out of context to "prove" or conclude something you never intended? How did it make you feel?
» Many people found reasons from the Bible to support slavery and racial oppression, among other evils. How will you as a Christian writer avoid misinterpreting or misusing Scripture to support any biases you may hold?
Critique:
RACE to excellence! (Refer to Lesson Two for a description of RACE.) Spend around five minutes with each article. Examine each writer's use of Scripture. Was it "rightly handled"? Was it used in its full context?
Perfecting Our Skills - Copyright
Not only should we handle God's Word correctly; we must also "rightly handle" the words of others. Quoted material may often be a valuable tool when making a point or citing research to support your point of view.
If you quote a writer at length you may need to obtain permission from the publisher There are times, however, when you may quote a writer without obtaining permission.
When to quote without permission
Copyright of a work is owned by its creator for his life plus 50 years. More specifics about the duration and origination of a copyright can be found at the library. The Copyright Act allows "fair use of a copyrighted work" for purposes of research, teaching, scholarship and criticism.
The law gives four criteria for fair use:
1. the purpose and character of the use;
2. the nature of the copyrighted work;
3. the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the entire work; and
4. the effect of the potential market value of the work.
When using someone else's words:
» Cite the source: Supply a book title and it's author, or a magazine name, month and year.
» If you plan to quote more than 100 words, you should probably obtain permission by writing to the publisher.
» If your quoted material is likely to be controversial, provide as much information as possible. Name the title, author, publisher, date of publication, and page number(s).
» A rule of thumb: fewer than 100 words from a full-length book is probably fair use.
What is "public domain?"
"Public domain" means that the copyright of a work has expired and use of this work is allowed. Works by such long-dead artists as Shakespeare and Dickens are in public domain.
The only version of the Bible which is in the public domain is the King James Version. Other versions will indicate that permission is needed before using verses. Check the copyright page of your Bible. For instance, the New International Version allows a writer to quote up to 1,000 verses without first obtaining permission.
Obtaining permission
Address the editor of the publication or printing company from whom you wish to obtain permission. Make your request brief and to the point. Explain the purpose of the piece you are writing and where it will appear in print.
Name the specific material (title, author, page number and which words you wish to use). If your purpose is not for profit, be sure to say so.
Misuse Creates Wrong Doctrine
See if you can pick Bible quotes from the following:
1. Cleanliness is next to godliness.
2. An eye for on eye, and a tooth for a tooth.
3. Every man for himself.
4. The family that prays together stays together.
5. A house divided against itself cannot stand.
6. Treat someone as you would want to be treated.
7. Beauty is only skin-deep.
8. He who does not work does not eat.
9. God helps those who help themselves.
10. Happiness comes from within.
11. Eat, drink and be merry.
12. One for all and all for one.
13. Man cannot live by bread alone.
14. You reap what you sow.
15. Bad company corrupts good character.
16. We have nothing to fear, but fear itself.
17. A penny saved is a penny earned.
18. A fool and his money are soon parted.
19. Do not judge a book by its cover.
20. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away.
21. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
22. Neither a borrower nor a lender be.
23. From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.
24. Am I my brother's keeper?
25. Hope deferred makes the heart sick.
Application
1. Write a point of view or letter to the editor in which you cite a cliche mistaken to be from the Bible. Or, point out some commonly quoted bit of wisdom (like the Golden Rule) which is from the Bible. Remember that this is a gentle reminder, not a "see-I-told-you-so" article!
2. Either individually or with your group, pick out the quotes (from above) which come from the Bible, in whole or in part. You will be discussing the answers in Lesson 8. Do you recognize the source of any others? Can you add some?
3. If you are not in the habit of studying God's Word (as opposed to simply reading it), make a point of: a) reading different translations, and b) using a concordance and/or a Greek/Hebrew dictionary to look up passages in their original languages.
4. Watch for misquotes and misapplications of truth by others within and outside the church. Lovingly correct these errors whenever confronted by them.
Technical Tips
Quoting at Length from a Source
A quote longer than three or four sentences should be physically set apart: indented and single-spaced. In this case quotation marks can be omitted.
A quote of several paragraphs begins and ends with quotation marks but uses end-quotes only at the end of the final paragraph.
Example:
par. 1: "(quote material to end of paragraph, and no end quotes here).
par. 2: "(same as paragraph one, with no end quotes here).
par. 3: "(uses both beginning and ending quotes, as you wrap up your use of the quoted material.)"
Scripture References:
» Psa. 45:1
» 2 Cor. 10:5
» Isa. 28:29
» I Tim. 6:20
» Isa. 55:10-11
» 2 Tim. 2:15-16
» Jer. 23:28-40
» 2 Tim. 3:16
» Luke 20:21
» Rev. 22:18-19
Thought to Ponder:
"The only way we can ever speak with confidence is to speak from the Word. Jesus gives us the best example: He knew the Scriptures, drew His authority from them, and based His words upon them. Those who follow Him must do the same."
Charles Colson,
Who speaks for God?
Resources for further study
You might find these handy as you expand your writing repertoire. (This list is not complete.)
Scriptural helps
» Greek/Hebrew Bible
» Strong's Concordance
» Nave's Topical Bible
» Study Bible: Thompson's, Ryrie, etc.
» Bible Dictionary
» Bible Commentaries: Wycliff, etc.
This is the seventh of twelve lessons in the "Church Writing Group" curriculum. Reproduction of this lesson is permissible.
For more information contact The Amy Foundation, P.O. Box 16091, Lansing, MI 48901, (517) 323-6233.
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