Monday, January 30, 2006

It is Written

I had a thought this morning concerning the written word as I was riding the train to work. Writing is divine. Did you hear me? I said, writing is divine. Those words rolled over and over in my head as the train moved from station to station. My thoughts were centered on the creator and it was revealed to me that writing is one of the many gifts that God gives us.

I know...duh! :)

However, the epiphany is that writing, in the spiritual realm, is divine. This is especially true when one takes a look at the holy scriptures (Torah, Bible, Koran, etc...). The words in these books were written by people who saw a divine purpose to spread the "word" of God. They were ordained to write the word. That's it! It's the "word" that is so divine. The written and the spoken word.

I really like what the Rev., William A. Jones, Jr. said about the written word. In his book, God In The Ghetto he wrote: "...My God's writing all the time. But there are times when God writes in big, bold characters with powerful punctuation marks. " Reverend Jones then poses the question, "...can we read it?" In short, I look at writing as an imitation of the divine. In writing we are attempting to stimulate, inspire, or excite with the creative formation of words. Ontologically, It explores the very basis of human existence because it was, at one time, one of our limited forms of communication.

Anyway, it's just a thought.

14 comments:

Bougie Black Boy said...

Very intriguing post. Just because it is written, are we capable of reading it. We're a spiritually illiterate community, pathetically.

Another thing, people used to fear words. Once they are placed onto the page or spoken, they become real. Life is breathed into them.

Stephen A. Bess said...

Ahh... the word can resuscitate us! :) I like that. Yes, I think that people still fear the written word and it is my hope to scare the Hell out of them.

Anonymous said...

The greatest Apostle Paul was famous for encouraging, teaching, or if need be tell you off in both spoken and written word.

I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his sake.
13: I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father.
14: I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
15: Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him I John 2:12-15

Great job Stephen, Amen bro

Stephen A. Bess said...

Tryphina-
I love that reference to Paul! I really want to study Paul. I'll have to research.

Waddie G. said...

very thought-provoking

Stephen A. Bess said...

profgq-
My mind was rambling this morning so I hope that this whole idea made some sense. Thanks for stopping in.

MJW said...

If writing is an imitation of the divine, you're clearly on an enlightened plain because you're an extraordinary writer! I'm adding blog to my RSS feed.

nikki said...

beautifully, beautifully said. your writing is amazing, stephen.

Stephen A. Bess said...

Michael J West-
Thank you so much for that wonderful comment. I'm going to have to revisit your blog. I stopped by for a quick moment and saw that you were talking about Jazz. I must return!

Hello Poi! You're so elusive. You come and go like the wind. Thanks always.

Nikki-
If that ain't the pot calling the kettle black! :) Thank you.

Accomplice-
Thank you for your encouragement and hello.

NML/Natalie said...

You write beautifully. The last para where you talk about how you see writing is fantastic.

Anonymous said...

I also love words ....and want to start scaring some people myself...maybe you can teach me that too.

Stephen A. Bess said...

nml-
Thank you. The funniest things come across my mind when I'm commuting to work. You inspire me to write post that are more light-hearted though. We'll see.

tu s. tin-
Hello. I have to teach myself before I can teach you. :) As a matter of fact, if you learn first you have to teach me.

Anonymous said...

Hola, Mr. Bess :)

Just so you know, the Jewish tradition holds that the Torah was written by G-d, given by G-d; it was not man-created. Of course, there are people who disagree, people who change their minds, etc.; but Jewish tradition, from the onset, holds fast that the Torah is 100% (if not more) G-d-given, not man-written.

I am not super-familiar with Islam or other religious cultures, but I understand some of them hold fast to the idea that their religious texts were delivered from G-d as well, often (if not always...as far as I know, though, it is "always") through one specific prophet whose honor, according to that culture, is to be and embody the wisdom for, and provide the wisdom to, the multitudes.

The difference between these traditions and Jewish tradition is that, according to Jewish tradition, G-d gave the Torah to all the people present, simultaneously -- thousands upon thousands of people, from what I understand -- while other religious cultures' traditions of which I am aware maintain that their particular revered text was given by G-d to the people through one particular person. Even so, all of these cultures' traditions state that their particular revered wisdom was given by G-d specifically, not created by man; and the purpose of these texts -- or of people having these texts -- is not always to spread the word of G-d, but rather to live the word of G-d -- like a guidebook for life.

Just wanted to share. :)

Stephen A. Bess said...

Rachel,

I agree. I believe it was %100 percent written by God. I also believe that the Bible as a whole, including the New Testament, was written by God. I know that there are some who would disagree, but I believe this. I believe that men wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. Thank you for that education on the Torah. Peace~

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