“The human mind . . . was made to receive truth into itself, and not to originate it out of itself. The human mind is recipient in nature, and not creative; it beholds truth, but it does not make it . . . The oratorical power of the preacher depends upon his recipiency; upon his contemplation of those ideas and doctrines which the Supreme Mind has communicated to the created and dependent spirit; upon his clearly beholding them, and receiving through this intuition a fund of knowledge, and of force, of which he is naturally destitute” (Shedd, Homiletics and Pastoral Theology, pp. 76-77).
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hmmm, do you believe we are not creative in all ways or just when it comes to truth? I often think that our need to create (paintings, stories, music) is how we were made in His image.
We use the stuff that God gives us; He creates and we re-create. Everything we invent has been thought of by Him, the materials have been supplied by Him, and the energy to put it together has been supplied by Him. The process and the final product all reflect His image.
Yes, agreed. I was thinking more of that strong impulse/need to create. When painting, or writing, we feel purposeful, relieved, fulfilled and I often wonder if God has that same desire, is that why He created the world? Is that blasphemous? I pray not.
And re-creating is still something different than receiving isn’t it?
Yes, re-creating gives us a glimpse of what God does. Very satisfying and accomplishing the dominion mandate at the same time.
:)