Category: The Scribal Prophet

Copyright 2017 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.

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.

Copyright 2017 Theresa Harvard Johnson

In “The School of the Scribe” we teach that scribal prophets are fully functioning prophets as we understand them in the midst of our faith in Christ. What makes them different is that they administrate their calling “scribally.”

I believe it is necessary to provide some insight on what this might look like. In the list below, I’ve outlined some common operations of the prophet that most apostolic-prophetic people will find agreement concerning.  This very short list is more in-depth than this, but it should provide you with a contrast between a prophet who is NOT a scribe; and a prophet who IS a scribe. I want you to see into their actions as much as you see the calling.