Episode 48

Chase Replogle

Scripture Can Teach You To Write: Learning Structure from Luke's Acts

The Bible is an incredible work of literature. With careful attention, there is a lot you can learn about writing from it.
The Bible is an incredible work of literature. With careful attention, there is a lot you can learn about writing from it.
00:00 22:34

Show Notes:48. Scripture Can Teach You To Write: Learning Structure from Luke’s Acts

The Bible doesn’t get enough credit for how well it is written. The Biblical writers are obviously skilled at their craft. Books like 1 & 2 Samuel are some of the best of ancient literature.

As a pastor who weekly studies and preaches through books of the Bible, I’m often struck by some literary move or nuance. Only a few of these observations make it into my sermons. I want to start sharing a few more of them with you.

These observations are insightful for the student of scripture but equally instructive for the writer looking to learn from the masters. The Bible can teach you a lot about writing. Let me show you a few examples, like how Luke approaches structure in the book of Acts.

  • Last day and the best cup of Turkish coffee.
  • Cave churches in Cappadocia where some of the oldest monastic communities lived. Also the homes of the Cappadocian fathers and mothers.
  • People think if the ancient world as white marble but most of the statues and buildings we see would have been brightly painted. On some of these walls and reliefs you can still see the original colors. The ancient Roman world would probably have been gaudy to our tastes.
  • More from Istanbul. Water cisterns, Constantine’s column, and the blue mosque.
  • Ancient Nicaea where the first church council was held in 325. We were there on the 1700s anniversary of Constantine’s arrival and the beginning of deliberations.
  • We were visiting the church at the residence of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and he found out we were a group of Protestant scholars going to Nicaea for the anniversary and invited us into his residence to greet us. He spoke and gave us all crosses. Not on your typical Istanbul itinerary.
  • Spent the day in Istanbul. On tomorrow to Nicaea.
  • A few more sites in Turkey. Today, I head to Istanbul.
  • I’m spending this week with a group of professors touring the sites of the seven churches of revelation in modern Turkey. I’ve learned a ton and been amazed by the scale and complexity of these Roman cities.
  • Finished up in Paris. Paris is always hard to beat.
Last day and the best cup of Turkish coffee.
Last day and the best cup of Turkish coffee.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/10
Cave churches in Cappadocia where some of the oldest monastic communities lived. Also the homes of the Cappadocian fathers and mothers.
Cave churches in Cappadocia where some of the oldest monastic communities lived. Also the homes of the Cappadocian fathers and mothers.
Cave churches in Cappadocia where some of the oldest monastic communities lived. Also the homes of the Cappadocian fathers and mothers.
Cave churches in Cappadocia where some of the oldest monastic communities lived. Also the homes of the Cappadocian fathers and mothers.
Cave churches in Cappadocia where some of the oldest monastic communities lived. Also the homes of the Cappadocian fathers and mothers.
Cave churches in Cappadocia where some of the oldest monastic communities lived. Also the homes of the Cappadocian fathers and mothers.
Cave churches in Cappadocia where some of the oldest monastic communities lived. Also the homes of the Cappadocian fathers and mothers.
Cave churches in Cappadocia where some of the oldest monastic communities lived. Also the homes of the Cappadocian fathers and mothers.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/10
People think if the ancient world as white marble but most of the statues and buildings we see would have been brightly painted. On some of these walls and reliefs you can still see the original colors. The ancient Roman world would probably have been gaudy to our tastes.
People think if the ancient world as white marble but most of the statues and buildings we see would have been brightly painted. On some of these walls and reliefs you can still see the original colors. The ancient Roman world would probably have been gaudy to our tastes.
People think if the ancient world as white marble but most of the statues and buildings we see would have been brightly painted. On some of these walls and reliefs you can still see the original colors. The ancient Roman world would probably have been gaudy to our tastes.
People think if the ancient world as white marble but most of the statues and buildings we see would have been brightly painted. On some of these walls and reliefs you can still see the original colors. The ancient Roman world would probably have been gaudy to our tastes.
People think if the ancient world as white marble but most of the statues and buildings we see would have been brightly painted. On some of these walls and reliefs you can still see the original colors. The ancient Roman world would probably have been gaudy to our tastes.
People think if the ancient world as white marble but most of the statues and buildings we see would have been brightly painted. On some of these walls and reliefs you can still see the original colors. The ancient Roman world would probably have been gaudy to our tastes.
People think if the ancient world as white marble but most of the statues and buildings we see would have been brightly painted. On some of these walls and reliefs you can still see the original colors. The ancient Roman world would probably have been gaudy to our tastes.
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/10
More from Istanbul. Water cisterns, Constantine’s column, and the blue mosque.
More from Istanbul. Water cisterns, Constantine’s column, and the blue mosque.
More from Istanbul. Water cisterns, Constantine’s column, and the blue mosque.
More from Istanbul. Water cisterns, Constantine’s column, and the blue mosque.
More from Istanbul. Water cisterns, Constantine’s column, and the blue mosque.
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/10
Ancient Nicaea where the first church council was held in 325. We were there on the 1700s anniversary of Constantine’s arrival and the beginning of deliberations.
Ancient Nicaea where the first church council was held in 325. We were there on the 1700s anniversary of Constantine’s arrival and the beginning of deliberations.
Ancient Nicaea where the first church council was held in 325. We were there on the 1700s anniversary of Constantine’s arrival and the beginning of deliberations.
Ancient Nicaea where the first church council was held in 325. We were there on the 1700s anniversary of Constantine’s arrival and the beginning of deliberations.
Ancient Nicaea where the first church council was held in 325. We were there on the 1700s anniversary of Constantine’s arrival and the beginning of deliberations.
Ancient Nicaea where the first church council was held in 325. We were there on the 1700s anniversary of Constantine’s arrival and the beginning of deliberations.
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/10
We were visiting the church at the residence of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and he found out we were a group of Protestant scholars going to Nicaea for the anniversary and invited us into his residence to greet us. He spoke and gave us all crosses. Not on your typical Istanbul itinerary.
We were visiting the church at the residence of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and he found out we were a group of Protestant scholars going to Nicaea for the anniversary and invited us into his residence to greet us. He spoke and gave us all crosses. Not on your typical Istanbul itinerary.
We were visiting the church at the residence of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and he found out we were a group of Protestant scholars going to Nicaea for the anniversary and invited us into his residence to greet us. He spoke and gave us all crosses. Not on your typical Istanbul itinerary.
We were visiting the church at the residence of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and he found out we were a group of Protestant scholars going to Nicaea for the anniversary and invited us into his residence to greet us. He spoke and gave us all crosses. Not on your typical Istanbul itinerary.
We were visiting the church at the residence of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and he found out we were a group of Protestant scholars going to Nicaea for the anniversary and invited us into his residence to greet us. He spoke and gave us all crosses. Not on your typical Istanbul itinerary.
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
6/10
Spent the day in Istanbul. On tomorrow to Nicaea.
Spent the day in Istanbul. On tomorrow to Nicaea.
Spent the day in Istanbul. On tomorrow to Nicaea.
Spent the day in Istanbul. On tomorrow to Nicaea.
Spent the day in Istanbul. On tomorrow to Nicaea.
Spent the day in Istanbul. On tomorrow to Nicaea.
Spent the day in Istanbul. On tomorrow to Nicaea.
Spent the day in Istanbul. On tomorrow to Nicaea.
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
7/10
A few more sites in Turkey. Today, I head to Istanbul.
A few more sites in Turkey. Today, I head to Istanbul.
A few more sites in Turkey. Today, I head to Istanbul.
A few more sites in Turkey. Today, I head to Istanbul.
A few more sites in Turkey. Today, I head to Istanbul.
A few more sites in Turkey. Today, I head to Istanbul.
A few more sites in Turkey. Today, I head to Istanbul.
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
8/10
I’m spending this week with a group of professors touring the sites of the seven churches of revelation in modern Turkey. I’ve learned a ton and been amazed by the scale and complexity of these Roman cities.
I’m spending this week with a group of professors touring the sites of the seven churches of revelation in modern Turkey. I’ve learned a ton and been amazed by the scale and complexity of these Roman cities.
I’m spending this week with a group of professors touring the sites of the seven churches of revelation in modern Turkey. I’ve learned a ton and been amazed by the scale and complexity of these Roman cities.
I’m spending this week with a group of professors touring the sites of the seven churches of revelation in modern Turkey. I’ve learned a ton and been amazed by the scale and complexity of these Roman cities.
I’m spending this week with a group of professors touring the sites of the seven churches of revelation in modern Turkey. I’ve learned a ton and been amazed by the scale and complexity of these Roman cities.
I’m spending this week with a group of professors touring the sites of the seven churches of revelation in modern Turkey. I’ve learned a ton and been amazed by the scale and complexity of these Roman cities.
I’m spending this week with a group of professors touring the sites of the seven churches of revelation in modern Turkey. I’ve learned a ton and been amazed by the scale and complexity of these Roman cities.
I’m spending this week with a group of professors touring the sites of the seven churches of revelation in modern Turkey. I’ve learned a ton and been amazed by the scale and complexity of these Roman cities.
I’m spending this week with a group of professors touring the sites of the seven churches of revelation in modern Turkey. I’ve learned a ton and been amazed by the scale and complexity of these Roman cities.
I’m spending this week with a group of professors touring the sites of the seven churches of revelation in modern Turkey. I’ve learned a ton and been amazed by the scale and complexity of these Roman cities.
I’m spending this week with a group of professors touring the sites of the seven churches of revelation in modern Turkey. I’ve learned a ton and been amazed by the scale and complexity of these Roman cities.
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
9/10
Finished up in Paris. Paris is always hard to beat.
Finished up in Paris. Paris is always hard to beat.
Finished up in Paris. Paris is always hard to beat.
Finished up in Paris. Paris is always hard to beat.
Finished up in Paris. Paris is always hard to beat.
Finished up in Paris. Paris is always hard to beat.
Finished up in Paris. Paris is always hard to beat.
Finished up in Paris. Paris is always hard to beat.
Finished up in Paris. Paris is always hard to beat.
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
10/10

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