Did I Plagiarize God?
When you “borrow” someone else’s ideas or words, you need to give credit where credit is due. So…
I am a lifelong borrower from the God of the Bible. And He doesn’t mind, since all truth is His truth, and we are designed by Him to discover and communicate.
Did I rip off God’s ideas? You bet! But…with footnotes.
My writings and practices regarding clarity are built on a foundation of 45+ years of learning from that masterwork of communication, the OT and NT Scriptures.
I haven’t hidden that fact at all, but I just want to make it clear to all that I am a student and a scribe. I may organize and apply and express in my own style, but the principles and practices of clear communication LONG predate me.
Stories? The Bible is full of instructive and vivid stories. What is David and Goliath but the ultimate story of the underdog who has faith?
Symbolic language? Over and over, Jesus taught that the kingdom of God is like ______ (analogy or illustration).
Side-by-sides? The prophet Elijah issued this stark challenge: “If the Lord is God, follow Him, but if Baal is God, follow him.”
Specifics? On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead.
Summaries? The 10 commandments are a summary of the entire moral law; then Jesus summarized those ten into two commandments (love God, love your neighbor).
Memory darts? How’s this one, from Psalm 103: As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us (also symbolic language).
Getting to the point? No-one got to the point more quickly than the apostle Paul in the opening 7 verses of the book of Galatians.
Getting on the same page? Over and over, the members of the church are charged to live in agreement and unity, based on specific truths.
I could list out literally hundreds of examples of vivid communication in the Bible using the word-tools that have been around for generations. The rules and tools of effective communication are best learned from the One who created it all.
God knows truth. God knows people. God knows the power of words. God gives light.
We think His thoughts after Him. We all borrow from God. I would be a plagiarist if I pretended that I am the ultimate source and original author. I’m just a follower and a spokesman.
So, credit where credit is due.
If you’re looking for a speaker and consultant who will help you and your people get to the point with clarity, contact me.
Subscribe to my weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the Clarity Blend