Words of Study & Instruction: Scribes & the Arts Archives Page 27 of 73

Identifying Plagiarism & Plagiarists in the Apostolic-Prophetic Community

Posted on 01/03/2018 by Theresa Harvard Johnson

Jeremiah 8:8 NIV, “‘How can you say, “We are wise, for we have the law of the LORD, when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely?” (The false “anointing” of the SCRIBE)

Here are some tips on identifying plagiarism and plagiarists:

Plagiarists become experts at twisting the Word of God by putting the sin of plagiarism in direct contradiction to the community release of revelation. They CONFUSE shared revelation (which we all have access to) with the theft of intellectual property. They do not understand that “intellectual property and copyright APPLIES in spiritual communities as well as in the natural. They choose ignorance in this area and recognize that most people DO NOT know the difference. As a result, they create an atmosphere of confusion around this subject — blinding people to truths concerning this subject that are universal.
Plagiarists are EXPERT manipulators. Like scam artists, they build a community around their lies. Often, however, they lack the “credentials, influence, vocabulary, insight and backstory” that often supports or comes behind original ideas and concepts. This is a place of weakness in the plagiarists efforts that can often be proven in “apostolic-prophetic” environments.

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Ministry Integrity

Writing Prompts & the Prophetic Scribe

Posted on 12/27/2017 by Theresa Harvard Johnson

Writing prompts are essential to releasing the “scribal life and culture” of the prophetic scribe.

Writing prompts activate the prophetic on the inside of you for the work of scribal ministry – whether creative, administrative or instructional in nature. They serve as gates toward greater and should be practiced by all who answer the call.

Prophetically, I believe we tap into the ancient anointing of scribes of old when we engage in writing prompts. Like the temple scribe, we pattern ourselves after their culture of discipline, enthusiasm and dedication. They were trained in their craft by learning to perfectly copy Torah until it was as natural to do so as breathing. That daunting task – as we discuss it in the book, “The Scribal Anointing: Scribes Instructed in the Kingdom of Heaven of Heaven” – unlocked all kinds of revelatory understanding in their time. Similar access is available to us today.

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Prophetic Writing

Six More Myths About Prophetic Writing

Posted on 12/11/2017 by Theresa Harvard Johnson

Over the course of my studies in scribal ministry, I’ve noticed that there are numerous misconceptions about prophetic writing. While I’ve written about some of these in the past, I am adding a few more to our on-going list. I pray that they bless you and bring further clarity to understanding “prophetic writing” which is just one of the gifts of the prophetic scribe. Also, check out this five minute infographic: Am I a prophetic writer?

1. Myth: I’m a prophetic writer so I can write anything. Not necessarily! Some prophetic writers are only appointed in a “specific area” of prophetic writing. For example, writing prophecy, writing poetry, monologues or exhortation by urgency and command. Outside of this, the anointing lifts. There are some “prophetic writers” who are called only to one specific area. This doesn’t mean they won’t write other things, but it does mean that they do not “specialize” in all kinds of writing. Over the years, I’ve met many prophetic writers who write amazing poetry and songs, but they are unskilled as “prophetic” novelists, essayists, script writers, etc. There is absolutely no “prophetic release” in those writing. Even writing their own testimonies is a challenge in the craft and assistance is needed to break through.

2. Myth: Prophetic writing is about being a good writer. NO! What makes a prophetic writer a “prophetic” writer is that the they are COMMANDED OR URGED by the Spirit to place a prophetic message in written form. This is what makes the gift unique. The “act and command” to write as the primary vehicle to deliver the message is what makes a “prophetic writer” a “prophetic writer.” Being called to “deliver” the message in this format does not guarantee that a person is a good writer. Training may be required — even in the creative arena.

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Prophetic Writing

Was Silas (also called Silvanus) the prophet and exhorter a scribe?

Posted on 11/18/2017 by Theresa Harvard Johnson

1 Peter 5:12, “WITH THE HELP OF SILAS, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I HAVE WRITTEN TO YOU briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God.”

The phrase “WITH THE HELP OF SILAS” would probably have indicated that Silas was dictating the Apostle Peter’s words as he spoke. He would have served as an amaneusis or literary helper in modern language usage or a scribe in traditional scholarly study. Although Silas was Peter’s brother in the Lord, he was accompanying him on a mission trip and would have assisted the senior apostle, as was protocol in that time. We know this by observation and references to Silas’ interactions with the apostles through scripture.

Dictation was a common practice in the early church – not only among scribes, but prophets. Many published letters were ghostwritten, as we understand it today. While Silas may not have walked in the “office of a scribe,” it is clear in this small passage that he was equipped in the craft – which would have required formal training, perhaps in a scribe school.

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The Scribal Prophet