Admittedly, in writing I’ve had made missteps. I’ve written things in foolish haste, spouted off undigested thoughts, uncharitably characterized others, and written things that are wrong—and I haven’t always had the humility to acknowledge it. As such I often return to that question: to write or not to write?

The Scottish Presbyterian James Durham (b. 1622) once wrote: “Experience hath often made this truth out, that many have taken on them[selves] to write, whose writings have been exceedingly hurtful to the Church.” In our day of mass publication—books, journals, magazines, papers, blogs, and social media posts—that observation should give all would-be authors serious pause. While the written word has often brought great blessing to the church it’s also been the source of great harm.

As someone who has been given a couple opportunities to write publicly these thoughts often haunt me. Mark Jones recently said: “Writing for the church is a solemn privilege.” It’s not always a privilege I’ve respected. Admittedly, in writing I’ve had made missteps. I’ve written things in foolish haste, spouted off undigested thoughts, uncharitably characterized others, and written things that are wrong—and I haven’t always had the humility to acknowledge it. As such I often return to that question: to write or not to write?

Recently I’ve been waffling on this question. One moment I feel ready to quit and the next I’m not so certain. As I’ve gone back and forth, I found a hidden gem of advice from James Durham. Tucked away in his Commentary Upon the Book of Revelation, is what can only be described as a little tangential essay titled “Concerning Writing.” In it Durham is burdened by the weight of writing for the church. He rightly notes: “To write the holy things of God, is to take on us, to tell what God thinks, and what is His will, which is a most concerning thing; especially to do it solemnly in writ, lest it prove, at least, a taking of God’s Name in vain.”

What follows are some observations drawn from what Durham writes.  I offer them because I think they’re useful to any who are thinking of or do write for the benefit of the church—whether it’s in books, journals, magazines, blogs, or social media.

Observation One: Writing can be used for the good of the church. While the gospel is primarily spread through preaching there’s a place for writing. Durham supports this from the example of the Apostles. While all the Apostles preached not all of them wrote. But some did, and they directed their writings as the needs of the church demanded in order to inform, reprove, strengthen, and edify others.