The model of craft and the craft workshop illuminates Christian authors’ literary activity, in particular their use of ekphrasis and prosōpopoeia. Their use of these techniques shows they emulate a literary craft tradition but adapt and experiment within it. They use these techniques to provoke an active response from their audience. These texts are intended to be useful as well as beautiful. They are creating a truly rhetorical and persuasive art in some ways similar to that set out in Plato’s Republic: grounded on knowledge, learning by experience and aimed at a good end. However, their conception of the good is defined in terms of Christian doctrine and they emphasize the importance of the fact that their craft is productive: it generates texts. Finally, this craft of words puts a great deal of weight on human experience: this is due to the importance of the doctrines of the incarnation and creation.