Articles

Writing Lessons From Dr. Luke

By Candy Arrington

            If you stop to think about it, Luke was probably one of the original freelance writers. His day job was not that of a scribe, but a physician. Yet Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth and life is the most detailed accounts of the life of Christ and provides insights the other three gospels do not.

            What gave Luke the ability to write so effectively? He provides answers to this question in the first few sentences of his book – “ Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”

• Make it personal – Luke had a personal commitment to writing. He took the project and made it his own. He had a unique slant on the events based on his background, education, and training as a physician. In addition to his medical knowledge, Luke was also a researcher, historian, educated Greek, and the only known Gentile author in the New Testament.

Although Luke was not an eyewitness to the events, his writing talent allowed him to write in such a manner that the reader feels as if he were present for the actual events. Just as Luke’s account differs slightly from the other writers of the gospels, so only you can write the message God gives you with your own special style. Although others have tackled a particular topic before, your insights are unique. Only you can convey the particular perspective God provides.

• Write with purpose – Through his writing, Luke hoped to succeed in doing something where perhaps others had failed – “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us.” Maybe Luke felt other accounts were confusing, ill-structured, or incomplete. Or perhaps the Holy Spirit revealed new truths to him. Whatever the motivation, Luke felt a need to write the story of Jesus in a manner that was reader friendly “so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” His desire as a writer was to educate and clarify existing truth.
  
• Research carefully – “Since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning.” Luke was not relying on hearsay as the basis for his writings. He took the time to carefully research and note all that had transpired, going back to the beginning. He interviewed eye witnesses, checked dates and details, and had the goal of presenting the most accurate account possible.
  
• Outline – “it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you.” Luke knew the importance of providing a work that was structured and made sense. His training as a physician helped him analyze the data once he had collected all the information, then place the facts in a framework that was both interesting and informative. Luke was a master of narrative non-fiction.
  
• Know your readers – Luke wrote for a target market. He addresses “most excellent Theophilus.” Theophilus means “one who loves God.” Whether Luke was writing to an individual or all Believers, he targeted his book to a familiar audience.

By implementing these writing lessons – writing personally, writing with purpose, researching carefully, outlining, and knowing our readers, we too, can write as effectively as Dr. Luke.