Early prophet Isaiah writes his revelations
http://media.ldscdn.org/images/media-library/gospel-art/old-testament/prophet-isaiah-foretells-christs-birth-39469-wallpaper.jpg
Writers leave behind a definable trail. We can recognize Hemingway, for instance, by his short and honest sentences, or Dickens by his satirically intricate descriptions. No one can seem to completely escape it....except, of course, God.
Over the course of thousands of years, in the Old Testament, the New Testament, and Latter-Day scriptures such as the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants, God has a bafflingly broad way of expressing Himself. Archaic language as used (and deliberately chosen) in the King James Bible is reminiscent in all of them, but word structure and sentence length varies depending on the epoch, audience, and prophet.
Skeptics may call foul, but it seems fitting that God has a complete, omniscient power over language- that He speaks in the manner most fitting to an individual, and afterward that individual can spread that message to others. When the occasion is scripture, it makes sense that He chooses regal and memorable language. But it’s important to recognize that by having infinite choices of expressing Himself, what He chooses is a conscious decision.
I’ve found that for me, God can communicate through poignant thoughts in my mind that accompany a sense of His presence. God uses quiet and straightforward language, rarely excessive. His words are specific to my experience, and seem to take into account my hopes, fears, and even my sense of humor. It’s given me an appreciation of the way God has revealed His will to different prophets over the centuries, and gives me an insight on His relationship with them.
I’m sure that during the period of the Reformation, He offered a guiding hand in the translation process of the Bible to ensure the original message he intended was retained.
Your post is very relevant to the rhetoric emphasis of our class, and it explores a daring, interesting topic: the rhetoric of God. It's funny how the Savior uses such marvelous poetry in Isaiah, and yet speaks to us individually (at least to me and you) in such straightforward and familiar language. But I guess that's part of the marvel of the Spirit.
ReplyDeleteThe rhetoric of God is a very interesting topic. I think the rhetoric God uses with you is different than the rhetoric that he uses with me which I guess is a testament to how rhetoric needs to be specific to the audience (or person) in particular. I wonder how the revelations were tailored to different prophets in scriptural stories, it would make sense that they were each a bit different.
ReplyDelete