The last module was meant to be an introduction to the topic of entering the secular market with the Christian message. With that background in mind, we will look at some of the details in greater detail now.

Obviously, there will be considerable repetition here, but that is necessary to maintain continuity.

In this lesson we will look at the following subjects :

1 - Why get interested in the non Christian marketplace
2 - What special contribution can a Christian make
3 - Barriers to getting into the non Christian market
4 - How to enter the market
5 - How to capture and retain the market
6 - How to introduce Christian content
7 - Special opportunities
8 - Religious Publications
Let us discuss them in greater detail :


As soon as the subject of writing in the non Christian media comes up, a few people question the whole thing. They would prefer working in the confines of the sheltered Christian media. Often they maintain this attitude out of fear and timidity.

The Scriptures encourage believers to get involved in communicating the truth to non Christians through the available media, and this should be done by every writer capable of it. We will discuss the following topics to make the subject more clear:


THE NEED TO INFLUENCE SOCIETY THROUGH PRINT MEDIA: The Scriptures commend the believers to make the truth known to the world. Not only should they make known the gospel, but also the moral and ethical truths by which all people are to be bound everywhere.

Human society is supposed to be the place where people can live, study, work, and move around fearlessly, with assurance, and with fellowship. A society can be such a place only if the majority of people accept, respect and observe certain minimum principles. Print media is a major medium of communication is our generation for influencing the society in this way.

A few centuries ago, specially before the invention of the printing press, oral communication was the most important means for influencing people. At that time this was how the society was influenced, shaped, and moulded by visionaries. Evil people too tried this approach, but it was difficult for them to gain very large audience because of the limited reach of the oral media and also because of the tremendous amount of devotion needed to continue an oral campaign. The introduction of the print media has changed all this.

Today newspapers and magazines have become a Necessity for many educated people. The introduction of fast printing machines, plus the increase in advertisement revenues, has made is possible for an aspiring person to bring out a periodical at a reasonable prince. This increases the range of a person's reach thousands or even hundreds of thousands of times what he could do orally. Consequently, perverted and errant persons and movements today have a great reach and power to influence the society.

Print media is a blessing. However, the perverted people have been quicker to realize the power of this media, and consequently they bring out hundreds of thousands of publications all around the world to influence people. In this generation, the evil influence of this media can be countered only if we too make our voice heard through the same media.

You might immediately say that Christians cannot enter the secular print media. Do not be hasty !! Just read on before you react that way. Others might say that Christians cannot now establish large presses and publication the way the secular world has done. There might be some truth in that, but even that statement is not entirely correct. Further, the emphasis in this chapter is not on beginning your own publication but on entering the market that already exists.

There is plenty of scope, as I will demonstrate in this lesson, to enter the secular market with the Christian message. Every writer, who can, should definitely enter this market and influence as many people as possible.

I must remind you once again that Christians do have an obligation to be concerned about their society and nations, and as part of this concern they must do everything in their power to influence the society to make it the best possible place to live in.


THE PRECEDENT SEEN IN HISTORY: The history of many countries, cities, towns etc, that are predominantly Christian shows the impact of the Christian message. As long as these groups adhered to Christian principles or morality and ethics, these countries were the best places to live in.

Consider the North American countries, Europe, Australia, etc. People from all over the world would like to migrate to these countries, even though today these countries no longer resemble what they once used to be. The reason is simple, the Christian influence that shaped these countries made them heaven when compared to the rest of the world. And interestingly, the print media played a very important role in making them that they became !!

Coming to India, consider those towns and states that are considered best to live in. You will immediately not the large Christian population or presence there. True, the society in these places is degenerating now, but that is only the general trend all over. The question is what made them better originally. An impartial student of history will have to accept that the Christian presence contributed much to shape them into what these places were during their golden years. Once again, the influence of Christian values played a very important role in making them that way. This would not have been possible without communication of these values.

People spent time and energy to communicate Christian values to people in these places, and that made a difference in the society. The print media definitely played an important role in spreading the message, and today it is ready to play a bigger role provided we are willing to rise to the occasion.

Wherever you look around the world, the print media has played a very important role in building up the society. The Christian were always in the forefront of introducing printing technology all over the world, and also to use it to instill Christian values in the society. The results are obvious.

Today the world is dominated by the secular press, and it has a heavy bias towards radical and erratic movements. We are the reason ! The print media started becoming dominated by these people only when Christians started to pull out of it. Had we remained there, the picture would have been entirely different. Of course degeneration would definitely have set in, because the level of unrighteousness has to spread, but it would not have spread this fast if we had not fled from the field. Even then, it might not be too late at least in some pickets of population including the society in which you my student live.


WHAT IS THE NON CHRISTIAN MARKETPLACE: In this lesson, the name non Christian marketplace refers to any and every publication that is brought out by non Christians. This market is so vast that most of you would not have seen even the tip of this iceberg.

Newspapers, magazines, religious magazines, bulletins of smaller societies, and even the annual magazines of different organizations make up the non Christian marketplace for the Christian writer.

Any publication whatsoever published by non Christians, including such non traditional outlets like handwritten magazines, wall-magazines, and even wall texts should be considered part of this market. Each of these reaches a definite number of already established audience, that you cannot reach through Christian publications, and you should seek ways to exploit it to proclaim the message -- the message of gospel, or even the message of the Christian morality, ethics, and values.

Whenever I speak in workshops on this topic, at least half a dozen people try to convince me that the non Christian market is a very limited one. It seems that most of them cannot name more than half a dozen secular publications, with most of them of the status of Reader's Digest that do not publish free lance submissions. Most of them overlook the hundreds of smaller publications that depend almost completely on free lance submissions, but which have circulation from thousands to hundreds of thousands.

India is not one of the largest publishing countries in the world, but still it has almost 31,000 government registered periodicals. In addition, there are tens of thousands of non registered periodicals brought out by religious, political, commercial, and educational bodies. Each publication is a potential market for the aspiring Christian writer, and only a team of tens of thousands of writers can saturate the market. Compared to this, there are only less than one hundred Christian writers active in the secular world today !!



As soon as I talk of the Christian writer in non Christian marketplace, I hear another question: what can a Christian do with non Christian marketplace. They are not going to publish the gospel, and what else do we have to give them ! Both the assumptions are wrong. Unless you try you cannot be sure that they are not going to publish the gospel. Further, Christian writers have a lot more than gospel to share with the mostly non Christian readers of these publications.

The following are a few special contributions that Christian writers can make through regular writing in non Christian periodicals :


PRE-EVANGELISM: Most tract writers and Christian preachers take prevevangelism for granted, yet they never pause to consider what it is and how they might do it for others just as other have done for them.

Read a few gospel tracts commonly available. Analyze a few evangelistic messages preached by evangelists you know. You will find without many exceptions that most of them depend upon the preexisting understanding and perception of the hearers, about the Christian message, to present the gospel. True, many people come to Christ spontaneously, and without previous knowledge, on hearing the gospel but they are only exceptions. Most people who accept Christ do so only after their hearts go through an initial preparation.

The initial preparation might be result of repeated hearing of Christian stories, message, or even songs. Many are deeply influenced by the life of practising and devout Christians, Others might have studied in Christian schools or worked in Christian organizations.

It is important for us to realize that people do not make decisions for accepting Christ from a vacuum. What they believe about their own religion prevents them from accepting the claims of Christ. Some form of preparing their hearts is always helpful, and anything that does this groundwork can be classified as Preevangelism.

Christian writers can play a very important role in preevangelism through their writings in the secular media. The more the people are convinced and conditioned into accepting man's fallen nature, the need for external help, the need for peace, stability, change of heart, etc, the better prepared they are. The more they are convinced of man's sin, crimes, and inclination towards evil, the better they are prepared to accept the gospel.


STABILITY IN SOCIETY: God has made four institutions for the entire mankind. They are volition, marriage, family, and nation. The human society is a part of the system in which volition, marriage, and family can function properly. Also, the more the stability of the society the more is the stability of the nation. Consequently, every Christian writer who enters who enters the secular print media should try to contribute to the stability of that society.

A society becomes stable only when it upholds certain values. It must support righteous behaviour while at the same time it condemns evil. Justice should be speedy, and the criminals should be confined away from the society.

Honest, self discipline, chivalry, respect for the elders and seniors, courtesy, and other similar things are necessary for the stability of any society. These things do not come by themselves because man is a sinner by nature. On the contrary, people who know the difference between good and evil should encourage good while at the same time they should discourage evil. This is done in many ways, and one of them is by persuading people in favour of good. The print media can play a very important role here.

Today there is a trend all over the world to reject good and embrace what is evil. Part of the blame goes to the printed page. People who love evil, who would like to pervert the society, and who would like to break up all diving institutions and establishments have effectively used the print media to convince people that evil is better than good.

When evil is perceived as better than good, then what is good automatically is rejected. People who try to live righteously are perceived as fools outdate, and even as dangerous to the society. Instead of acceptance, they receive rejection, threats, and even violence. The righteous person becomes the new criminal.

The trend to replace good with evil and to label unrighteousness as righteousness can be reversed only if people who know the truth spread the message. Since the secular print media is a very important tool for shaping the opinion of hundreds of thousands, the Christian writer should exploit it to bring the right kind of teaching to people.

Stability in society increases in direct proportion of right attitudes and acts. The attitude will be right only when someone persuades them to embrace it. The good things that you and I enjoy in the society today is because our predecessors persuaded people that right conduct is better than and uncontrolled one. Similarly, you and I should use print media to persuade people to accept good over evil. This will add to the stability everywhere.



Even the most inexperienced Christian writer knows instinctively that there are many barriers against getting into the non Christian market. However, most of them do not realize that these barriers can be penetrated. They are not as formidable as many think.

What is worse, the barriers erected by the Christian writers themselves are greater and more formidable than the ones erected by the secular establishment. Thus one will have to learn not only how to overcome the real barriers, but also how not to erect barriers one is own making !!

Let us look at some of the most common barriers, and you will automatically see which of them are natural and which of them are erected by the Christian writer. Once you know what is in front of you, you can tackle them as and when the need arises. So here are the barriers to getting publishing in the non Christian print media :


NON ATTEMPT BY CHRISTIANS: As I mentioned before, whenever I talk on entering the non Christian market, several people enthusiastically try to persuade me against it. (Many of them do not know that I regularly write in the secular media).

The essence of what they tell me is that "It is an impossible task". Yet when I ask how many of them ever tried to publish in the secular media, more than eight per cent of them confess that they never tried it even once !! Yet they are sure that it cannot be done. The greatest barrier against getting published in the non Christian market is not the mentality of the market, but that of the writers. They are not willing to try.

There are a few hundred Christians in India who have tried to enter this market, and they are doing a wonderful job. It is a tragedy that more people are not coming forward to exploit this market that offers plenty of opportunities in spite of the increasing hostility against the Christian world view.


NON PREPARATION OF CHRISTIAN WRITERS: Even though most aspiring writers accept defeat even before they try to publish in the non Christian media, a few do take initiative and try. Unfortunately most of these people fail to publish in their one or two attempts and then drop out of it completely. The most common reason is non preparation.

Non-preparation might result from many causes. The first is unwillingness to work hard. Everyone knows that it is easier to get published in Christian magazines in comparison to the secular ones. Some people are reluctant to work harder. Others have become so addicted to easy publication that they do not want to abandon their comfort. Whatever the reason, if you are not willing to go the extra mile, you will remain unprepared for the secular market.

The second reason is lack of understanding the secular media. True, but Christian as well as non Christian magazines are print media but their goals, nature, and leadership are completely different. If you treat one as the other, you will fail to get published.

Since the secular media is different, it needs a different way of presentation than the way the same subject would be addressed in a Christian publication. Thus you would not be able to write on the seven deadly sins, or tabernacle, or predestination in the secular media. Even when you write on a subject like Bible and science in which the secular press is interested, the way of presentation and title will be different. Unless you understand this difference, you will not be able to publish in the non Christian media.

The third reason is lack of contact. Even though there are tens of thousands of magazines around, many writers do not seem to have seen not more than a dozen or so many of them. They just have no contact with the world of print media.

If all what you know are the Readers' Digests, India Today, and Newsweek, you will never enter the market. These are highly specialized periodicals that accept only commissioner writings from their own staff writers or from definite sources, and your submissions will go waste. On the other hand, there is avast market of other periodicals that accept free lance submissions and where you can get an entry, provided you know these publications.

Try to examine and read as many periodicals as possible. Scientific, religious, social, hobby-related, and as many others as possible. Do not neglect small circulation bulletins and school/college magazines. The more you remain in contact with the publishing world, the more the suitable publications that you will discover.

The fourth reason is inability to understand the non Christian world views. Thus a Christian writer is surprised when even a perfectly written article is rejected by a secular or religious publication. While it written article is rejected by a secular or religious publication. While it might be perfect for a Christian editor, the way of presentation might not find favour with the non Christian editor.

The non Christian editor is often interested in Christian submissions, but it has to be written in such a way that he is able to appreciate it from his own world view. This is not to imply that you should adopt his theology, but that it should be presented in such a way that he is able to grasp it even though he does not have the necessary biblical background to understand it.

Christian writers often taken it for granted that their readers would have the necessary theological background to understand their message. Thus when they write about, say, the words of Christ from the cross, they might go directly into a theological or doctrinal discourse. This, however, will not work with a non Christian audience who does not have the same background. Yet the same subject can be presented to a non Christian audience provided you write in a more explanatory way. At times you might have to write in an indirect or a simpler way till the necessary background is built up.

The fifth reason why Christian writers are unable to publish in non Christian magazines is the inability to speak their language. Every magazine, religion, and even sub groups of people, have their own distinct language, vocabulary, and expression. Some times this difference does not matter, but at other time the difference is so pronounced that communication becomes impossible.

The Christian writer should know not only of this difference, but must also be able to present the writing in the language of the target audience. This requires study and observation, but that should be a matter of joy if you are committed to bring the message to your non Christian friends through their own publications.

The sixth reason is the inability of writers to put their messages in local language and expression. This was pointed out by the great Christian sage Sadhu Sunder Singh, who used to say that the gospel should be presented to the Indians in an Indian cup.

Most writers forget that every culture has its own ways of looking at different subjects. Consequently, the way in which people speak about the same subject differs from culture to culture even in the same country. In the twentieth century the western culture, language, mode of worship, thinking, and expression have so much influenced Christian writers that many of them write from a non Indian way and style. They present the gospel in an alien cup, and that is highly repugnant to the non Christians specially in this of nationalism. Many of the non Christian religions are right non undergoing a revival, and they would reject anything t hat they perceive as foreign.

If your language is good enough to produce great literature, then it is good enough to proclaim the gospel. You do not have to adopt foreign expressions and illustrations to present the message in your native language. Present the message, but do so in the cup of your own culture.


UNWILLINGNESS TO EXPLORE UNCHARTED TERRITORY: Getting published in the non Christian market place requires the writer to chart totally new waters. This is in contract to the Christian marketplace where the writers, editors, themes, and publications are known to us for a long time. It is safe territory, and one knows where waters are shallow and where they are deep. This security will have to be abandoned before one enters the other market.

Today world is what it is only because of the explorers, scientists, technocrats, and visionaries who were willing to explore into uncharted territories. Many of them risked their lives, money, and even reputation to attain what they had in mind. The same has to be the case here.

The non Christian market is a vast uncharted territory with plenty of prospects and promises. Launching out might be expensive, risky, dangerous, and even discouraging. Yet thousands of writers have to jump into it because that is the only way to open up the benefits to the countless members of mankind. Those who explore this territory will be able to bring everlasting life for numerous people who have no other way of hearing the gospel.

Jumping into uncharted territory is not easy, and this is another reason why many able Christian writers shy way from the vast non Christian market. The losses are enormous and cannot be measured on any human scale. Even a single life lost because of this neglect cannot be compensated in any way. If you are serious about taking the divine message to the lost mankind, do not hold yourself back. Be willing to explore the mysteries of the non Christian publishing world and eventually you will open up the way for hundreds of writers to write and thousands of souls to obtain the new life through Christ.


RIGIDITY OF THE CHRISTIAN WRITERS: Fisherman go and cast the net where the fish are, but most Christian writers want the fish to come to the place where they can catch them. This is a general tendency among the whole evangelical community.

Many Bible believing churches have what they call the Sunday evening gospel hour. The stated purpose is to "evangelise" the unbelievers are going to get into the church in the first place. Others station a few volunteers outside the church who persuade the mostly unwilling and busy pedestrians to abandon their excursion and sit in the church among complete strangers for a full hour witnessing a ceremony that is completely alien to them. While this approach does bring in a few souls to the family of God(mostly because God is faithful), the biblical approach is to go to the place where the fish are.

Many Christian writers adopt the same gospel meeting mentality and require the unbelievers to abandon their ground and come to the place where the writer wants them to reach them first. This, again, is contrary to the practice of either Christ or his apostles who went to the place where the needy were to be found. They are content with writing gospel related articles in Christian magazines hoping that the non Christians would read them.

True, every Christians magazine should contain the message of salvation regularly but this is not sufficient. The Christian writer should be willing to enter the non Christian market to proclaim the same message even if he is able to do this only in a limited way. Perhaps a few among his thousands of readers will be enlightened enough to seek the truth further.

It is easy to complain that the non Christian print market does not entertain Christian writers. The reality is entirely different. While this market would not publish your pastor"s sermon, it would surely be willing to publish the gospel if you are willing to write it in a way that is suitable for them.

The market is vast and there is scope today for tens of thousands of writers to make a significant contribution here. Perhaps you will be next person ?? it is whatever stage it is convenient to you. The earlier it is done, the better it would be for you to build upon further.
Always remember that you are not writing in a Christian Magazine. It is not your denomination's mouthpiece, and therefore don't get overenthusiastic. Use your opportunity regularly, constantly and discreetly. Do introduce as much Christian content as possible, but do not give them the impression that you are preaching. The day they feel that you will kill the goose that lays the golden egg.

Once you are firmly established with a publication, try to see what further you can do. May be you can write a column if not already doing to. If they publish books you might be able even to get a book or two published.

The market offers endless possibilities and only you can recognise the opportunities available to you. Exploit every available opportunity to your advantage. Let them hear the message of life from you in whatever way it is possible. You will save a lot of people.


THROUGH SYNDICATES: Syndicates are organisations that take your writings and distribute to a large number of publications. They give a royalty while the payment coming from the publications go to the syndicate.

Many of the comics that you see regularly in magazines and newspapers are distributed by syndicates. These syndicate also distribute articles, columns and specialised articles written by experts. They give you a wide reach. If you can persuade a syndicate to distribute your writings, this will automatically give you great influence because of the large number of people who read you and because of the respect in which syndicated writers are held.

Syndicates often advertise in journals and magazines meant for writers. Their addresses might also be available in handbooks meant for writers, journalists, and editors. If you have access to a university library or other institute that offers journalism training, be sure to check their libraries. Even the smallest and the most insignificant library can often given your information that you did not have previously.



Many Christian writers who are able to penetrate the non Christian market very soon find the opportunities going out of their control. Often the editor, who was enthusiastic initially, begins to reject almost all submissions. The problem is with retention of the market.

Entering a market is different from capturing and retaining it. That needs additional work and a well planned strategy. Here are some suggestions for capturing and retaining this market :


OFFER EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD CONTENT: The first and foremost thing to watch is the content. What you offer to them should contain exceptionally good content. Here lies the difference between an expert and one who is merely indulging in the subject.

Periodicals will continue to entertain a writer only if the content of his articles continue to be accurate, authoritative, comprehensive, and latest. This requires the writer to read continually without overlooking anything published in the are of his writing interests. This also requires him to maintain some kind of record keeping system so that he is able to recall the latest and most accurate information whenever he needs it.

If you keep regularly in touch with the subjects of jour interest, this will give you a lead that others will not be able to out do easily. On the other hand, if you neglect to keep in touch someone will soon outperform you and you will see the editor discarding you like a waste paper. Since the print media deals with information, you re useless for editors if you cannot produce the latest, most accurate, and comprehensive information for them.

Always keep in touch with your special subject, offer the best in your writings, and always be there first with a submission. You will find the market in your control.


EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD PRESENTATION: Even the best content in the world loses its appeal when presented shabbily. If you are an established writer the editor might tolerate you for some time, but no sooner a competitor comes up with a better presentation you will find that you are no longer needed.

Presentation is so important that many a times the article having a better presentation is accepted in comparison to another that is more accurate but done clumsily. It is easier to improve a better presented write up by adding the latest information than rewriting an entire article that might be more accurate but not up to the mark in presentation.

Presentation is an art. It involves language, idiom, flow of thought, progression of argument, and many other factors that are explained in other lessons. It also requires an understanding of who your audience is and what level of presentation they need.

Since presentation of ideas is an are, there is nothing like ultimate perfection. On the other hand, every writing form can degenerate if the artist does not improve his skills continually. Not only should he keep practising what he already knows, but should also observe how other re doing it so he can pick up tins to improve his own work. This is life long occupation, and therefore you must make it life long commitment to keep improving your presentation.

Do not be content with the way you have been presenting things for the least few years. Even if that satisfies the readers, it should not satisfy you. Keep looking for ways to improve it.


CONTINUED EXPLORATION: Writing is not only science but also an art. Consequently new information, breakthroughs, styles, fads, and insights will keep coming up. Historical information will be dug out by others. You should continually hunt for these.

Every writer should be hunter and explorer, specially if he wants to retain his market. He should keep hunting for the best that exists and he should keep exploring for territories into which he has not stepped previously.

The day the explorer in you dies , you come to the expiry date. You might be entertained for some more time, but soon you will be thrown out. Do not let this happen. Keep listening, observing, and reading. Keep taking notes. Let the explorer mentality never die out.


ALWAYS BE ONE STEP AHEAD: The secular world is becoming increasingly hostile to Christian idea. This is only natural because the unregenerate mind is the enemy of God. In a world of increasing hostility you can survive only if you are one step ahead of the enemy.

The Christian writer who wants to remain in the secular market for spreading the good news must always remain one step ahead of them in quality, content, insight, courtesy, novelty, etc. As long as you are ahead of others, there is every possibility that they will entertain you. If not, you need not worry. You tried but the Lord allowed your plan and desire to be frustrated. He knows what is best. On the other hand, you have everything to worry about if you did not try. Here the failure cannot be attributed to God.

Always be one step ahead of other writers in your field, and you will command the market for a long period of time.


Exactly when to introduce the Christian content, how to do it, and how much to do, etc, are things that depend upon your subject, achievements, authority with the publication of your interest, and the background of the readers, etc. Only guiding principles can be given, and you will have to adapt them, to the situation in which you are. Here are some guidelines :


IN FICTION AND CREATIVE WRITING: Fiction and creative writing lend themselves easily to introduction of Christian values and principles. There is plenty of flexibility, and only your creativity and willingness to work hard is the limit.

If you write story serieses you might be able to create permanent characters who embody all that is good without being self righteous or preachy. They can be projected as people of conviction, willing to make sacrifice to stand for truth and righteousness. No magical solutions to their problems is to be shown, but the intervention of God on behalf of his children according to Romans 8:28 can be interwoven into the story.

People who write disconnected short stories can always show truth and righteousness as triumphant. The faith of a hero here and another character there can be magnified without becoming preachy. Truth should always triumph over lies and righteousness over unrighteousness in these stories.

If you write poems you might consider glorifying God, his creation, and his actions. You might be able to sing praises to his providence. Whatever you write, if you uphold biblical values, you have reached the first stage of your task.

The nest stage could be a more explicit presentation of Christian truths, say in relation to Christmas, Easter, or even related to a biblical story provided your readers are able to relate with it without an excessive need for biblical knowledge.

Keep doing it discreetly, carefully, and intelligently and you will be able to advance your cause much more than what you consider possible in the beginning.


IN NONFICTION: It is more difficult to introduce Christian content in nonfiction, but it is not impossible. The first thing to do is to write everything from a Christian perspective and viewpoint. This can be done without becoming preachy.

Let us assume that you wish to write on crime and punishment. The present day sentimental writers are unable to see issues clearly here. They would prefer to take sides with the criminal over again the victim. This is the reason why courts are becoming more and more lenient with offenders. Even serious criminals are left completely free on minor technical grounds that have no connection with the crimes. This is completely contrary to biblical principles. Even in such a milieu the Christian writer can write from a biblical perspective and argue his case.

You might immediately say that no sooner the Bible is brought into your writings you will be disqualified for getting published in the secular media. You might be right. However, to bring biblical principles into you writings and to argue in their favour you do not have to quote like a preacher in his pulpit. If you are thorough with the Scriptures, and if you have done your homework, and if you are convinced of these principles, you need not quote a word from the Scriptures. God has made plenty of other provisions.

A great beauty of biblical principles meant for mankind is that they readily manifest themselves in God' world. If you look around, if you collect your facts regularly and diligently, and if you keep asking the question, " is that the full truth", you will have plenty of extrabiblical arguments to bring in favour of biblical principles.

There is plenty of historical, psychological, social and logical reasons in support of punishment for crimes. The precedent of countries that were lenient or tough with criminals, and the example of those that want to leniency from strictness or the other way round furnish sufficient evidence to argue that crime should be punished, swiftly and with a measure that is in keeping with the gravity of the crime. The flow is biblical, but the argument can be brought without making any reference to the Bible.

There are hundreds of ways for introducing biblical content into your nonfiction writings, and once again only your creativity, commitment to the cause, and willingness to work hard are the limits placed.


PRECAUTIONS: The non Christian marketplace is very much unlike the Christian marketplace and therefore some precautions are in order. Even a little carelessness or over enthusiasm can be costly here, betraying your ultimate purpose to people who are hostile against the message.

The first precaution is to make all your titles conform to secular styles and standards. Instead of naming it "How Satan Tempted Job", make it "Plain In History" or "Another Society, Same Problem". Instead of naming it "Science Confirms Bible", make it "Ancient Book, Modern Wisdom", or "How Did They Know", etc. One title betrays your goal, the other does not. You do not have to lie about your aim, but you do not have to expose yourself either.

The second precaution is to avoid preachiness. Having been brought up in a Christian environment, and having written for Christian publications, preachiness comes naturally to most Christian writers. While this might not be a hinderance when writing for a predominantly Christian audience, this will be a great hinderance when you write for a non Christian or a secular audience.

Learn to state truths simply, openly, objectively, and convincingly but without getting into the preaching act. This is possible, and many have already done it. Once again, only your creativity is the limit.

The most important precaution is to remember that you are working in a territory largely abandoned to Satan and his host. Be alert, therefore, as you would be in face confrontation with Satan and his host.



Some types of publications will be easy targets for you in comparison to others. It is always better to shoot at the easier target before you try to tackle the more difficult one. This will give you great game as well as better experience to handle the more difficult cases.

Certain kinds of publications always give you special opportunities to get published, and within the easy targets you should aim at these first. These kinds of magazines and newsletters are published all over the world, and you should not find it difficult to locate them in your community, country, or language of choice. Here are these opportunities :


RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS: There are hundreds of smaller sects and dozens of larger religious that publish thousands of religious and moral /ethical periodicals. Many of them would be willing to publish your articles provided you know how to present your case. This field is so vast that we have given a full and independent explanation of it elsewhere.


SECULAR MAGAZINES WITH RELIGIOUS CONTENT: Plenty of secular magazines give space regularly to religion. Even in the secularized western media some of them reserve space or even regular columns for religious subjects. All of them realize that religion is an important and uneraseable part of human society, and catering to this need would only add to their circulation. You must build upon this perception for entering their religious columns or even for demanding that a new column be introduced in publications that lack it.

In the non western countries the separation of religion and society is not marked yet, and therefore newspapers and magazines still give a lot of space to religion and religious affairs. True, They will reject if you submit an article titled "Cable TV And The Christian", but many of them will immediately accept something titled "Cable TV And Values We Cherish". It all depends upon how you present your case. The only precaution to take is not to dash away the article to a publication with a level that you have not reached yet.

Even the glossy magazines in many countries publish religious articles, but a new comer to this field should not attempt to begin publishing with them. They are often conscious of the writer's status and achievement, and therefore leave that to someone who has already reached that status. If God can raise a Daniel, Ezra, or Jeseph to speak to people in high secular positions, He can do the same thing today. Leave that to those people, and you begin from the level that has been allotted to you.

Many family oriented magazines give plenty of space to religion and moral issues. Others are happy to publish religious stories, and still others are willing to publish stories taken directly from any religious source, including the Bible provided your rewrite it in the modern idiom and add a comment or two to enlighten the reader. Let me give you some examples from India.

Nirogdham is a health magazine published in Hindi language. This high circulation magazine published one story each from the religious books of every major religion in India, including the Bible !! There are other publications that publish a "Thought For The Day" or "Reflection" type write up, and religious writer are given considerable liberty to submit for such columns.

If you look around with expectation, you will discover hundreds of magazines that give some space to religious topics. Most of them will accept submissions from Christian authors, provided they conform to the general style of that publication.

In some Christian countries newspapers have a regular religion corner, usually allotted to writers or columnist who have nothing to do with religion--either theirs or others. If sufficient number of readers write back to the editor, then many of them will be willing to give equal space or at least some space to people who take Christianity more seriously. It is a tragedy that the religion corner or column in the western or Christian nations are controlled by radical Christians. One reason is the silence of conservative Christian who still are in majority in those countries. It is time for them to speak up.


COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOLOGY/PERSONALITY MAGAZINES: Personality related publications are a craze as witnessed by he sales of Dale Carnegie books.

Almost every county and major language now has several magazines devoted to these topics. Indian magazines that aim at students appearing for competitive exams also have one or more psychology and personality column. These magazines and columns provide fertile ground for the Christian writer.

Psychology and counselling deal with subjects about which the Scriptures talk a lot. What is more, the Bible is full of instructions that are of interest to people in this fields. Of course the ultimate change comes to a person only when he accepts Christ as his personal saviour, many other personality and behavioural changes are possible for even the non regenerate people. Bible speaks much about these subjects, most of which are so fundamental that psychology has stated discovering these facts only in the twentieth century.

If you even the smallest inclination in psychology and counselling, and if you can develop themes on these subjects from the Scriptures, then here is a field wide open to you. With diligence you can become a very popular writer !

Once you become an established writer, try to take over the question/answer column in that publication and also in any other publication that is published locally from your city or town.

HOBBY DEVELOPMENT AND PENFRIENDS MAGAZINES: Hobbies have been hear as long as man has existed on earth, but the twentieth century has made it all a professional matter. Realizing the economic value in it, many publish hobby development magazines on topics ranging from stamp collecting to coin collecting and electronics to computer programmes.

Most hobby development magazines depend upon freelance contributors for survival, and here is your opportunity to get into print in the non Christian media. Of course, you immediate question will be how to introduce Christian content into hobby development. I must accept that it looks difficult, but it is not impossible.

There are plenty of hobbies that deal directly with Christianity or Christian culture. Biblical archaeology, Christian themes in stamps, coins, Christian art, literature, translation and versions of the Bible, and many similar hobbies allow Christian content. Some of these hobbies have been given even technical names, and you can use these to identify your hobby so as not to look like a preacher.

Pen friends magazines publish articles on a wide variety of topics, ranging from personality development to international pen friendship. You have a wide door open here to address that eager community of readers.


FAMILY AND EDUCATION RELATED MAGAZINES: Family and education related magazines are a new breed of magazines finding a market today. Since they deal with topics having a direct relation with personal life and bringing up of children, they offer unlimited opportunities to the Christian writer.

Family, education, and instruction are so important topics that the Scriptures even contain an entire book on these topics. You might take up a special study of Proverbs and come out with dozens of interesting and authoritative articles for these publications. What is more, you should remember that only a biblically based family life and education system work in the real world. Only this will bring lasting peace and wisdom. Here is your opportunity to help people with biblical insights. You will not only be able to share the gospel with them, but will also be able to contribute to the over all stability in your society.


QUESTION/ANSWERS COLUMNS: As more and more people ask questions, magazine and newspaper editors find it necessary to introduce question/answer columns. In a generation that does not have parents, elders and religious leaders to guide them when perplexed, someone has to provide answers.

As the confusion increases in society, and as newer problems not faced by earlier generations come forward, question/answer columns are becoming increasingly popular. Some magazines even report that this is their most widely read column. Here is another special opportunity.

Even though many magazines have question/answer columns, a lot of them still do not have it yet. If you can convince the editorial board that you are capable of helping the readers in their personal questions, you will have an entire column to yourself regularly. Probably the first thing to do would be to write on practical theme for that publication for some time before you ask them to introduce a column. Alternately, if you are a well known writer, or if you have a significant number of published articles on practical topics, then you might try to convince the editor (by showing these) that you are competent to handle such a column.

Questions can be offered from a biblical standpoint without becoming preach or without betraying your religious goals. The best example in India is the publication Women's Era. The Help column gives such sound advise that even Christian counsellors would be surprised. Yet there is no religion there. You too can counsellor you would find many opportunities for the gospel opening up in front of you.


SHORT STORIES: Here is a special area that has never been properly exploited by Christian writers. The problem is not the shortage of writers, but non attempt and non commitment.

The Christian community has plenty of short story writers, and any of them regularly publish in Christian magazines. The same people, with a little vision and additional effort, could easily get into the secular world. Short stories always communicate a theme, a morale. There is no story without a theme or morale. What is more, the morale of the story deeply influence the reader, even if he does not want to be influenced like this. Here is your opportunity.

If you are a powerful storywriter, you can weave any theme into the story and it will be accepted for publication.

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