Moe Bergeron

There is a growing concern among many believers today: the lack of warmth and genuine heart-stirring content in much of our Christian literature. Whether theological works or simple blog posts, the words often feel sterile, detached, and devoid of the life-giving warmth that should characterize anything written in the name of Christ. This is troubling because the message of the gospel is not just a set of doctrines to be analyzed—it is the living truth of God that should penetrate our hearts, stir our affections, and transform our lives.

The Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13:1, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.” Paul’s words are a sharp reminder that even the most eloquent speech or precise theological argument is nothing without love. And yet, much of what passes for Christian writing today seems to lack this essential ingredient. The result is that instead of drawing readers closer to Christ, these writings can leave them feeling cold, indifferent, or even disheartened.

The warmth that we long for in Christian literature is not just about being emotionally stirring. It is about a deep, authentic connection to the love of Christ—a love that is “patient, … kind, … does not envy, … does not boast, … is not proud” (1 Corinthians 13:4). This love should permeate our words, whether we are writing a dense theological treatise or a simple devotional thought.

Consider the words of Jesus in Luke 24:32, when the disciples on the road to Emmaus reflected on their encounter with the risen Christ: “Were not our hearts burning within us while He spoke with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Jesus’ words were not just intellectually stimulating—they were life-giving, heart-warming, and transformative. They caused the disciples’ hearts to burn within them, igniting a deeper love and passion for God. This is the effect that Christian literature should have on its readers.

While sound doctrine and biblical accuracy are essential, they should never come at the expense of the warmth that draws readers into heartfelt worship. The truths we communicate must be rooted in Scripture, but they should also be delivered with the grace and love that reflect the heart of Christ. Paul admonished Timothy that “the goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:5). Again, our writing should strive for doctrinal precision coupled with the warmth of Christ's love, leading readers not only to understand the truth but to experience it in a way that stirs their affections and draws them closer to God in worship.

This trend of theology being expressed without the warmth of a heartfelt connection to Christ has led to a church that, while hungry for God, often feels spiritually malnourished. When the truths of Scripture are presented in a way that is intellectually rich but emotionally cold, it creates an environment where believers are filled with knowledge but left wanting more of the deep, transformative experience of God’s presence. They long for the living water that truly satisfies the soul, yet they often receive dry, academic discussions that don’t nourish their spiritual hunger.

As a result, the church becomes less desirable to the lost. When our theology is disconnected from a vibrant, loving relationship with Christ, it fails to reflect the beauty and attractiveness of the gospel. Instead of being a place where the weary and burdened can find rest and renewal, the church can appear uninviting and unappealing to those outside the faith. The lost are drawn not just by sound doctrine, but by the love and grace that flow from hearts deeply connected to Jesus. When this warmth is missing, the church loses its appeal, and its witness to the world is weakened. The lost are less likely to be drawn to a community that seems to lack the very life and joy it proclaims.

So, how can we recover this warmth in our literature? It begins with the writer’s own relationship with Christ. Writing that warms the heart flows from a heart that is itself warmed by the love of God. As we meditate on Scripture, pray, and walk in close fellowship with Jesus, our writing will naturally reflect His love and grace. Our words will not only instruct minds but also touch hearts, drawing readers into a deeper relationship with the Savior.

Furthermore, we must write with our audience in mind, remembering that behind every book, article, or blog post is a person who is loved by God and in need of His grace. Our writing should speak to their hearts, not just their heads. It should point them to Christ in a way that is tender, compassionate, and full of the life-giving warmth of the gospel.

In conclusion, the lack of heart-warming content in Christian literature is a serious concern that we must address. As followers of Christ, we are called to communicate His truth in a way that is not only accurate and doctrinally sound but also infused with His love and grace. Let us strive to write in such a way that our readers’ hearts, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, are set ablaze with the love of Christ. In doing so, we will fulfill our calling to be both faithful witnesses to the truth and vessels of God’s life-giving warmth in a world that desperately needs it.

May our Lord and Saviour use you to speak words of love, God's love, to His saints and,,, those multitudes of poor and needy sinners, who sorely need to hear Christ.

Revelation 2:1-5 NIV

"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.