Author: Theresa Harvard Johnson
Theresa Harvard Johnson is the founder of The School of the Scribe and progenitor of The Scribal Anointing® teachings, the 21st-century revelation of the office of the prophetic scribe. She has authored more than 25 books to help prophetic scribes navigate their calling, taught thousands of scribes globally and developed safe spaces online and in person to foster prophetic community. Theresa holds an M. Div. in biblical studies and an M. A. in professional writing. As a scribal historian and mentor to many, she has pioneered exclusively in this area for more than two-decades.
Prophetic Word: Vindication from Misunderstandings, Confusion
Released Sunday, March 5
Theresa Harvard Johnson
I heard this word today. It followed a vision in which I saw a woman returning home after a lengthy estrangement from family. It was as if she had been gone for decades. This I know: This word is not just for people who are saved. It is a catalyst for freedom for those who are believers to receive greater freedom, and evidence of God’s grace and love for those who need to make a decision to follow Christ… to believe in their hearts.
This is a season of vindication for you. The misunderstandings and confusion that has caused you such great pain is being cleared up, pushed away. I am exposing the deceit behind it all and clearing your name. The obstacles blocking the view of my truth have been removed so those affected can see clearly and stand repentant. I am vindicating time lost. I am softening hardened hearts.
Embrace Your Scribal Culture (2)
Copyright 2017 Theresa Harvard Johnson
The first time I taught about scribal culture was at my second prophetic poetry and writing conference here in Atlanta in 2005. I had written the first draft of a book that would eventually become “The Scribal Anointing: Scribes Instructed in the Kingdom of Heaven,” and proceeded to teach those in attendance about the culture of the biblical scribe.
I can still remember the responses of the participants as they learned of themselves, discovering that they were more than an obscure group of writers. The understanding of the culture from a biblical perspective was teaching us that we were an honorable, loyal, highly valued people from scripture known as scribes.
You see, I have learned that it is not enough to have a revelation of what it means to be a “prophetic” scribe for the serious prophetic writer or scribal minister. It is equally necessary to have some insight, at least on a basic level, of the culture that gave birth to our scribal ministry, matured it, transitioned it and led us into the present day. Why? Well, because in our biblical history lies the heart and soul of our identity.
This is the gift that “culture” gives us. This is why ethnic groups, people of nations, families and other societal institutions embrace culture so strongly. They understand that who they are is rooted in uncovering the challenges and beauty of the past, enabling us to appreciate, embrace and move with wisdom in the present.
Embrace Your Scribal Culture
Copyright 2017 Theresa Harvard Johnson
The first time I taught about scribal culture was at my second prophetic poetry and writing conference here in Atlanta in 2005. I had written the first draft of a book that would eventually become “The Scribal Anointing: Scribes Instructed in the Kingdom of Heaven,” and proceeded to teach those in attendance about the culture of the biblical scribe.
I can still remember the responses of the participants as they learned of themselves, discovering that they were more than an obscure group of writers. The understanding of the culture from a biblical perspective was teaching us that we were an honorable, loyal, highly valued people from scripture known as scribes.
You see, I have learned that it is not enough to have a revelation of what it means to be a “prophetic” scribe for the serious prophetic writer or scribal minister. It is equally necessary to have some insight, at least on a basic level, of the culture that gave birth to our scribal ministry, matured it, transitioned it and led us into the present day. Why? Well, because in our biblical history lies the heart and soul of our identity.
This is the gift that “culture” gives us. This is why ethnic groups, people of nations, families and other societal institutions embrace culture so strongly. They understand that who they are is rooted in uncovering the challenges and beauty of the past, enabling us to appreciate, embrace and move with wisdom in the present.
Scribal Prophet Pitfalls: Watch Out for These
Copyright 2017 Theresa Harvard Johnson
Yes, scribal prophets are different. (I am still on that topic.)
They not only exist in the atmosphere of the prophetic, but they also live through the scribal realm. In other words, they think and act like a scribe even though they are called to be fully functioning prophets. (See my article, The Way of the Scribal Prophet.)
When we study scribal culture from a biblical perspective, we learn a great deal about how these serious, biblical scribes governed their lives and walked out their assignments. They were extremely loyal to God, disciplined in the midst of the craft… and faithful to the message entrusted to them. These three components are at the heart of scribes dedicated to Christ. They are especially critical for those who consider themselves prophetic at any level.
We must understand, however, that the writing and recording of scripture was an artistic process – in listening, calligraphy and printmaking for temple scribes, royal scribes and scribes who operated by trade. Yes, the first council of scribes consisted of those who made judicial decisions but they were also extremely skilled in the scribal arts. This anointing, as we teach it within The Scribal Anointing book series, is extremely broad… and expands throughout the Bible.
In today’s culture, modern dictionaries define the “scribe” as a WRITER. That definition, however, does not match its biblical use or historical foundations. (I find it interesting that the dictionaries do not present a broader explanation.)I firmly believe God has raised up The School of the Scribe to create a clear path for believers to sort through it all. You see, there is a “writer’s anointing” and then there is “The Scribal AnointingÒ.” What we are referencing here is the full ministry of the scribe from Moses to Ezra to the present day release acknowledged by Christ.