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Scripture in Writing and Speaking

Writer's picture: Douglas GroothuisDouglas Groothuis

The Use of Scripture in Forming and Applying a Christian

Worldview in Writing and Speaking


By Douglas Groothuis, PhD


I have been affixing text references to my writing—whether in books, articles, reviews, lecture outlines, or personal, hand-written cards—for nearly fifty years. Christians often use proof texts in their speaking and writing to show that their ideas are based on the Bible, thus showing that these claims are true and important. Christians should want to be biblical, so these Scriptural texts are desired. (How many readers actually look up these texts to see if they are appropriate is another matter.) Consider Martin Luther’s great confession at the Diet of Worms in 1521.


Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason, for I do not trust either in the Pope or in counsels alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradict themselves. I'm bound to the Scriptures I have quoted, and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot, and I will not retract anything since it is neither safe nor right to go against my conscience. I cannot do otherwise. Here I stand. May God help me. Amen.


As Protestants, we believe in sola scriptura, which gives Scripture primacy and the final word on all to which it speaks. Thus, we should treat it reverently and use it carefully.¹


We extend the mission of God in the world to make his ways known, to redeem individuals, and to be salt and light in the world in myriad ways. A significant mode of that kind of engagement is writing and speaking. We are not divinely inspired as were the biblical writers, but we can speak and write in ways consonant with that revealed message. The world needs the truth of God as made known in the Bible. As Hosea proclaimed, “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). So how might we invoke the Bible in our speaking and writing? (I will leave aside preaching, since that is a different matter of expositing the Bible, explaining, and exhorting based on the message.)²


A proof text is a passage of Scripture cited to intellectually support an idea. Such a text is akin to a biblical footnote. The proof text might be the basic location of a text, as in, “Jesus claimed to be one with the Father” (John 10:10). This is a simple pointer offered after a biblical passage is summarized. Other proof texts are more involved and not as straightforward, such as “God is a Trinity, one God in three persons” (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:18-20; John 1:1-3; Acts 5; 2 Corinthians 13:14). It takes some theological work to show that these texts justify God as a trinity, but the raw resources are there. Consulting the great creeds and confessions of the church is important as well.


As a university that emphasizes teaching all subjects from a Christian worldview, how should we understand the use of Scripture in our teaching and writing?


1. All our ideas should conform to a biblical worldview, whether we cite or allude to the Bible or not. Paul speaks of “taking every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) and that we should be “transformed through the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:20). Our Lord Jesus Christ commands us to love God with all our being, including our minds (Matthew 22:37-40). Thus, if I am writing for a secular publication, such as The Chronicle of Higher Education, I will not likely cite a particular passage from the Bible, but my worldview should be tacit in all that I write. However, I published an article in The Chronicle titled “What Would Jesus Think?” which, of course, referred to Scripture.³ Nevertheless, even in this context, I look for ways to quote, paraphrase, or allude to the living and active Word of God (Hebrews 4:12).


2. We can quote Scripture to set a theme or tone for an essay or lecture. Many article and lecture outlines include an opening quote from the Bible. I might not expound on the text, but the opening quote introduces the basic ideas that follow; it helps to guide the presentation and engagement. For example, if I am writing or speaking about the dangers of worldliness in cultural engagement, I could quote this verse or a similar one: Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever (1 John 2:15-17).


3. We may also use Scripture as a proof text, although this term has a bad name. The bad reputation comes from using texts irresponsibly, either as a substitute for argument or by using them out of context. Of course, the texts cited may not support the point made because the text has been misinterpreted. But this mistake should not forbid us from the practice. For example, a book on systematic theology may state a doctrine and then list several Bible verses after that in parenthesis. If a case is made for original sin, several texts can be used in support, such as Psalm 51:5 and Romans 5:12. If we use a proof text, we should be sure that the passage cited to substantiate our point does that work. I use proof texts frequently (when the setting is appropriate) and try to ground my thinking in Scripture thereby.


4. Not every talk or piece of writing requires direct biblical support, but nothing should be unbiblical, of course. If I am reviewing a jazz concert for a secular venue, I will not likely cite any Bible verses directly. But if I am giving a talk on jazz and culture at a Christian university or at a church, I will do so. In this regard, we should remember the book of Esther in which the name of God is never mentioned. Nevertheless, the providence of God is evident in the events and in the faith of the faithful in that book. This subject is deep, but this essay is short. Nevertheless, may it spark a deeper appreciation of God’s holy word and how we apply it to our speaking and writing.




1 See R. C. Sproul, Scripture Alone (Phillipsburg, NJ; P&R Publishing, 2005).

2 See the classic book on preaching, Haddon Robinson, Biblical Preaching, 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2014).

3 Douglas Groothuis, “What Would Jesus Think?” Chronicle of Higher Education (October 2, 2002). This was an excerpt from my book, On Jesus (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2003).

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