Historically, and especially in the ancient world of the Greeks and Romans, one principal method of learning was to imitate someone who was considered a master of their craft. "Watch what we do and emulate it" was a standard method of teaching. This might find its expression in the exercise of a trade, a skill in the world of art, public speaking, or writing.
I recently read an interesting book penned by William Cane, Write like the Masters. In this volume, Cane writes a brief essay on each of twenty-one different writers suggesting that one way to learn to write better is to imitate what these "master writers" do. He points out unique traits of Charles Dickens, Ernest Hemingway, and George Orwell for example. Then, he suggests that the burgeoning writer emulate some of the writers' distinct techniques. Hemingway was known for being heavy on nouns and verbs while avoiding adjectives and adverbs. He used few commas and frequently strung his sentences together with simple conjunctions. If one paragraph was long, the one to follow was, as a rule, brief. All the other writers, too, had their unique trademark styles. Interestingly, some great writers were known for imitating the styles of masters whom they respected.
Now, I use this "imitating" pedagogy in writing to bridge to a biblical principle found in 1 Corinthians 11:1. Paul writing to the very troubled congregation in ancient Corinth wrote, "Follow my example, as I also follow Christ." The word "follow" may be translated "imitate." It comes from the root word from which we get the word "mimic." Here, Paul is instructing believers in a less than ideal context to act, think, and talk like he does himself. In short, he says, "watch me and repeat what you observe." Of course, the qualifier is "as I follow Christ." His point? "As long as I follow Christ, imitate me!"
Here is the lesson: when you want to learn from someone, make sure they not only say the right things; check their track record. Are they a doer? A practitioner? The Apostle James wrote that it is of critical importance for us to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. Hearing and talking are not enough. It is imperative that we be doers. So, when you want to learn from someone, choose someone who actually does what you want to do. If not, you might be sorely disappointed.
I recently read an interesting book penned by William Cane, Write like the Masters. In this volume, Cane writes a brief essay on each of twenty-one different writers suggesting that one way to learn to write better is to imitate what these "master writers" do. He points out unique traits of Charles Dickens, Ernest Hemingway, and George Orwell for example. Then, he suggests that the burgeoning writer emulate some of the writers' distinct techniques. Hemingway was known for being heavy on nouns and verbs while avoiding adjectives and adverbs. He used few commas and frequently strung his sentences together with simple conjunctions. If one paragraph was long, the one to follow was, as a rule, brief. All the other writers, too, had their unique trademark styles. Interestingly, some great writers were known for imitating the styles of masters whom they respected.
Now, I use this "imitating" pedagogy in writing to bridge to a biblical principle found in 1 Corinthians 11:1. Paul writing to the very troubled congregation in ancient Corinth wrote, "Follow my example, as I also follow Christ." The word "follow" may be translated "imitate." It comes from the root word from which we get the word "mimic." Here, Paul is instructing believers in a less than ideal context to act, think, and talk like he does himself. In short, he says, "watch me and repeat what you observe." Of course, the qualifier is "as I follow Christ." His point? "As long as I follow Christ, imitate me!"
Here is the lesson: when you want to learn from someone, make sure they not only say the right things; check their track record. Are they a doer? A practitioner? The Apostle James wrote that it is of critical importance for us to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. Hearing and talking are not enough. It is imperative that we be doers. So, when you want to learn from someone, choose someone who actually does what you want to do. If not, you might be sorely disappointed.
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