Every time I hear a professor say, “Make sure to add a paragraph about the topic from a Christian perspective,” I cringe a little bit. This is not to say that I mind adding biblical support to my essays, but I do mind that we often see our Christian perspective as disconnected from the rest of our thoughts. All of my writing comes from a Christian perspective; people need not ask for it separated from the rest of my paper, for that is impossible.
My faith is as inherent in me as my gender or personality. These are not things I simply choose to utilize at times but not at others. Writing from a Christian perspective is the only way I know how to write. Adding a paragraph at the end of a paper that contains Bible verses and Christian ideals is not what makes my paper “Christian.” Every idea I have should stem from my beliefs and faith, and that is what allows me to write from a Christian perspective. If I write a paper on my future career, I do not have to add a paragraph about calling, spiritual gifts, and God’s plan for my life to write my paper from a Christian perspective. None of these additions would be bad, but my paper is Christian without them.
Christ is present in every part of a Christian’s life, whether we choose to acknowledge him or not. When I go to work, I work from a Christian perspective. When I plan my outfits, I do that from a Christian perspective. Even when I take a shower, I do that from a Christian perspective. Everything we do should be for the glory and honor of God, even if we do not consciously think about it.
Stop writing from a “Christian perspective.” Sure, feel free to include Bible verses, lines from popular Christian songs, and points from sermons in your papers. These are not detractors, but neither are they what makes your paper “Christian.” Let Christ infiltrate each and every part of your life, whether or not you want him to. Let’s show the world that everything Christians do is from a Christian perspective; we cannot pick and choose what parts of our lives exhibit God’s love. Go forth and spread the Word: Christ is present in our lives, and that will never change.
