A Blogger’s Credo
A really good question was asked of me recently: “Why do you write?” What’s the point? Why spend hours piecing together thoughts and arguments? What am I trying to prove?
These are good questions for every blogger to ask of him/her self. Is blogging the 21st century way of yelling in the Roman forum? Trying to vie for attention? Everyone seems to have a thing to say. Some little gem that he thinks he needs to share with the world. And you know what? That’s fine. God works in peoples’ lives and hearts and minds, and it’s a wonderful thing to share with the world.
But many times blogging becomes a way of showing off the gem for our own aggrandizement, even if the supposed prize happens to actually be a chunk of fools gold. I suppose it’s a tendency I have as well, and I need to watch myself.
So I’m outlining a sort of blogger’s credo (though not technically a credo, which means “I believe”). Specifically for those of us who write about the Bible and theology. And for people who don’t have blogs but take part in forum discussions, I think this is equally valid.
- I will write first to glorify God. If this is lacking, then what is the point? Theology is the study of God, His revelation, and work of Providence. If we study this for any reason other than to glorify the name of Him who reveals Himself, then we are deceiving ourselves and wasting our time at best.
- I will write to edify the brethren. If I am writing for any other reason then it’s just a self-indulgent exercise. This should also make me think twice about what I post. If I write something that is completely correct in an academic sense but has no purpose for edification and building up of the Church, I should not post it.
- I will not write dogmatically about something I have not personally studied at length. The dogmatically thing is to allow for asking questions on a blog. Posts to the effect of, “I’ve been studying such and such passage, and it got me thinking . . .” I think are okay, as long as they really are what they appear to be.
- I will write with a spirit of humility. So I’ve studied a passage enough to sort of know the issues. But I’m building on the work of the great men who went before me. Little of what I have to say is original, and if it is totally original, then that is probably because it is wrong. We bloggers must be open to correction and criticism.
- I will discuss in a spirit of charity and Christian love. Excepting the first point, I think this is the most important. Of course, it’s tied to glorifying God, for if the people of God begin to get at each other’s throats over minor interpretive scruples, then what testimony is that to the world? No one is going to be impressed with our theological boxing matches. Let it not be said that the name of God is blasphemed among the nations because of us.
Well, that’s all I’ve got for now. Any one who passes by here and reads this can hold me to it. And I think I’m going to take a little break from blogging for a little while. At least from theology. I need a little breather.
1 Corinthians 13:1-2
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
Tags: blogging
General, Theology | Christopher Kou | 
March 16, 2010 4:16 PM
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These are excellent points and guidelines to keep in mind while writing a blog, or writing in general! Thanks for sharing! I need to print this out to keep myself on track while I write.