Opus 2023-052: Dark Thoughts: Whom Does God Quote?

It struck me this morning that God does not need to quote anybody.

As I was in worship it occurred to me how much I had enjoyed my study time because I was able to find an extended passage on creation in a set of books on my shelf.  I then remembered why I had tried, and failed, to read through the same set of books in the last year.  They are of a style where the author feels the need to give long quotes from authorities.  It is like they are afraid to say things their own way because I won’t believe them unless they have support from an “authority.”  Since I felt the author was a reliable authority I did not need his quotes so I quickly lost interest.

Then came my question about God quoting.  I don’t think God needed one of the series of books like The Quotable Lewis or the long list that came up with similar titles.  If God ordered something from IKEA I don’t think He would need to read the directions.  As a chef He would not get out Betty Crocker.  He is God.  He is the Source.

It occurred to me there is a reason beside insecurity that people do this.  I recently stopped reading a book because I started counting the number of authors mentioned on each page.  I realized that being mentioned in a book might get you to buy the book.  You could probably make the best seller list just by mentioning enough people with an ego.  

It might do for us to be more focused on quoting the Source, who has no ego or financial issues, than a contemporary authority.

homo unius libri