Background
Most Christian writing is based on passages in the Bible. While this is a pretty straightforward concept, most chapters of the Bible are written using at least two levels: the obvious story or passage and the general meaning or lesson underneath. This is why the Bible is often referred to as a book of stories. Where the obvious story may be apparent, the lesson underneath represents the core takeaway for a Christian reader.
Example in Practice
Take the story of the prodigal son, for example, in Luke Chapter 15, versus 11-32. The story covers the parable of a father with two sons, one who is diligent and obedient and the other who just wants his inheritance early to get out into the world. The father gives the son who wants to leave his inheritance, and the young man promptly leaves home and blows the money on partying, gambling, and spending. Soon enough he is reduced to being a beggar on the street. Eventually he returns home expecting no special treatment and pleads for a servant’s job from his father. But the old man welcomes him home and treats the young man as special as before. The diligent brother is infuriated, complaining to his father about why he rewarded his brother’s stupidity and mistakes. The father explains that his diligent son already has his favor, but the celebration is because he thought he lost his other son for good and was blessed instead.
It’s funny—this story’s almost like a recurring script in real life, too. I’ve heard pastors in 2025 talk about modern “prodigals” in their sermons, connecting age-old parables with today’s fractured families or lost friendships. They’ll say folks return after burning bridges, carrying shame that’s heavier than any suitcase, and yet, forgiveness often greets them at the door anyway. These connections don’t just happen—they’re crafted by writers who know both the old texts and how people actually talk and feel now.
The surface lesson to a quick reader is that those who squander their resources will quickly find themselves in poverty. However, the deeper lesson is one of forgiveness that, no matter how bad a child may behave, a parent will always welcome the child back. Even deeper, the story is an anecdote describing God’s love for people who return to Him as Christians, no matter how bad in life they were. So the story in this case has three layers.
That’s probably why Christian audiences are quick to spot when someone’s just “spinning” a platitude versus drawing from a place of honest struggle or hope. When a writer takes shortcuts—just grabs the obvious, ignores the layers, and rushes a point—it rings hollow. It’s not about lacing every sentence with scripture, but about actually wrestling with the subject matter a bit, even if it means writing and then trashing a few drafts. People pick up on sincerity, especially when you’re dealing with something as old and, let’s be honest, still controversial as the Bible.
Homework for Professional Content Writing
As a writer, one needs to be familiar with and understand all the layers involved to accurately use the material. This would be no different if one was writing Islamic articles based on the Koran or Judaic commentary based on the Torah. While it’s true one could just “fake” Christian writing, which might work at first once or twice, the quality of pseudo-Christian writing will become apparent very quickly; the intricate details required are just too specific to make up for very long. An intelligent Christian will find the discrepancies and expose the made-up effort. So take the time to read and understand the Bible first, then write with confidence.
