Spiritual Style: Updated

This post was one of the most popular posts from seven years ago, and I’ve been asked by several readers to update it. Since both the Chicago Manual of Style and The Christian Writer’s Manual of Style has been updated since 2011, there are a few things that have changed. So here’s the update!

I’ve been in Christian publishing for more than seventeen years, first as an editor at LifeWay Christian Resources, and now as a freelance contributor. In addition to stylebooks, such as the AP Stylebook and the Chicago Manual of Style, those who work in Christian publishing have additional style guides for religious terms. For example, how do you know whether to capitalize “godly” since it refers to God? Is “Bible” always capitalized? One of the best resources is The Christian Writer’s Manual of Style by Robert Hudson (Zondervan, 2016). However, each publishing house will have its own style guide, as well. LifeWay may style curriculum and resources differently than Zondervan or Thomas Nelson. But most of them agree on the following styles below.

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Capitalize Words That Refer to God

Examples: Lord, the Almighty (but not “almighty God”),  Christ, Comforter, Counselor, the Creator (but not “the creator God”), Father, God Almighty, Godhead (if meaning “essential being of God), God-given, God-man, God Most High, King, the One (but not “the one true God”), Providence, Redeemer, Savior, Son/Son of God/Son of Man, Sovereign, the Trinity (but “the triune God”)

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Lowercase General References to Jesus

Examples: friend, person, baby, the baby Jesus, the babe in the manger, child, boy, and man (Jesus is my friend.)

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Capitalize (Most) Adjectives That Are Part of God’s Name

Examples: the Anointed One, Divine Father, Divine King, Good Shepherd, Great High Priest, Great Physician, Great Shepherd, High Priest, Holy Father, Holy One, Holy Spirit, Promised One, Sovereign Lord, the Spirit (meaning Holy Spirit), Suffering Servant, Supreme Being, Sustainer, Wise Creator

Note: almighty God, heavenly Father, spirit of God are now lowercase.

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Refer to the Holy Spirit as “he,” not “it

Examples: The Holy Spirit comforts me; he brings peace into my life.

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Lowercase pronouns that refer to God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit

This is a change from previous versions of the CWMS. Page 144–145 states, “The capitalization of pronouns referring to persons of the Trinity has long been a matter of debate . . . Most publishers, religious and general, use the lowercase style in large part to conform to the two most popular versions of the Bible (the best-selling NIV and the historically dominant KJV).”

Examples:

God gave his Son for our sins.

God loves his children; he loves us with an everlasting love!

When Christ died on the cross, he gave himself for our sins.

O Lord, you are holy!

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Lowercase Relative Pronouns (who, whom, whoever, whomever) referring to God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit

Examples:

The God whom we serve is faithful.

God, who is most faithful, loves us unconditionally.

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Lowercase Most Derivatives Referring to God, (Whether Nouns or Adjectives)

Examples:

godly (He is a godly man.)

godlike

godsend

lordship

saviorhood

sonship

Exceptions:

Capitalize these words: Christian, Christlike, Godhead, God-given

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Always Capitalize “Bible” and “God’s Word”

Examples:

The Holy Bible is God’s Word.

God speaks through His Word, the Bible.

Exceptions:

Lowercase “God’s word” when it means his statement or promise, not referring to the Bible.

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Always Capitalize “Scripture” if referring to the Bible.

Examples:

The Scripture says, “Great is thy faithfulness!”

The Scriptures are God’s truth to His people.

Read the Scriptures daily to know God.

(I’ve noticed a lot of traditional publishers not capitalizing this, so be sure to check in-house style.)

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Gospel: Whether to Capitalize Depends on Meaning

    • “Gospel” meaning “good news” is not capitalized.
      Examples:
      Tell others the gospel message of Christ!
      I love good old gospel music!
    • “Gospel” meaning first four books of the New Testament is now capitalized (a change from previous version of CWMS.)
      Examples:
      The four Gospels are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
      The Gospel of John is my favorite book.
      John’s Gospel is my favorite book.
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Lowercase Names of Places

Examples: heaven, hell, paradise (meaning “heaven” but Paradise if meaning “garden of Eden”), garden of Eden, kingdom (God’s kingdom; kingdom of God)

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Which of these styles do you use most in your everyday life?
Do you have a question about how to style a particular word or phrase?
Let me know by commenting below!

13 responses to “Spiritual Style: Updated”

  1. Kelley says:

    This is very helpful – thank you for providing this resource! One question I was hoping to find the answer for…should “Biblical” be capitalized?

    • Christi McGuire says:

      You’re welcome! 🙂 No, “biblical” is not capitalized. Neither is “scriptural.” I should have included those! Thanks for asking!

  2. Vicki Holst says:

    Do you capitalize the Heavens and the Earth. For example, the sentence is: In the same way, he created the Heavens and the Earth.

    • Christi McGuire says:

      Vicki, good question! The Christian Writer’s Manual of Style says this about heaven: “Lowercase heaven in most instances. … a fine distinction exists between a place and a state of being … it is perfectly acceptable to capitalize Heaven whenever it is discussed in geographic terms or portrayed as a physical location” (482). It also says this about earth: “Lowercase earth (with or without the article the) in all contexts except scientific or astronomical ones. … whenever the word earth is preceded by the word planet, both words are usually capitalized, even when the context is not scientific or astronomical” (457). So you need to determine the context. If you are quoting form a particular translation of Scripture, then use what is used there and put quotes around and cite the passage and translation.

  3. Michele says:

    Hi Christi – when you’re using the possessive pronoun adjectives, for example “I want to sign “your” name to the end of this day” when referring to God, is the “y” capitalized? Thanks!

    • Christi McGuire says:

      The Christian Writer’s Manual of Style recommends to use “lowercase pronouns in most trade books and all academic books and references.” However, it also says that “the capitalization of pronouns referring to persons of the Trinity has long been a matter of debate. … both the lowercase and capitalized styles have long histories in written English…” If your client is working with a specific publisher, they should follow the in-house style since some publishers do still capitalize deity pronouns. Otherwise, follow CWMS and lowercase.

  4. Kim Katovich says:

    Hi Christi! What are the rules regarding capitalizing good news? Jesus came to preach the good news. Or Jesus came to preach the Good News.

    Thanks for your help!

  5. Rebekah Lind says:

    Thank you for your article. Very helpful! What about the term “spiritual gifts?” And each one specifically? Like the Gift of Mercy, etc.? Caps or not?

    • Christi McGuire says:

      I’m not sure off the top of my head. I’d have to check the Christian Writer’s Manual of Style. That resource is definitely worth purchasing to use!

  6. Deb Brammer says:

    This is super helpful! Thanks so much.

  7. Adrianna says:

    There’s quite a few Bibles (ie NKJ) that still capitalize pronouns for God (see Bible Hub 1 Peter 1:3). Visually I prefer that, almost as a sign of respect – do you think readers will be visually “bothered” when reading the text or used to it as I intend to continue to capitalize these pronouns

    • Christi McGuire says:

      I also prefer the capitalization out of reverence. I advise clients to use whatever the Bible translation they’re using. So if the Bible caps deity pronouns, then be consistent with that. If it lowercases, then lowercase. If it’s inconsistent, then readers will be bothered and possibly confused.

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