The cliche "the pen is mightier than the sword" is true because written works have brought far more change in this world, or destruction in some cases, than any armed revolution or army could ever do.
Even though I'm just a technical writer, I feel humbled to be a part of a craft that has potential to change the world.
Not Just Halloween
Today, is Halloween also known as All Hallows Eve. However, on this same day, it's
Protestant Reformation Day.Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk, saw the abuses of the Church in his day, where it was more about money and power than about love and grace of Jesus Christ. He was so disgusted that he had to get the word out about these abuses by posting his 95 theses on the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church.
And from there, whether for good or for ill, Martin Luther altered the course of the Western Christian Church, Europe, and eventually good parts of this world. (If you want to read an in-depth biography about Martin Luther, I recommend Derek Wilson's Out of the Storm.)
Now I'm aware that Martin Luther wasn't perfect. They were things that he said that I'm still scratching my head to this day. But people and their written work don't have to be perfect to affect the world.
When the time and conditions are right, written works are the sparks that set the blaze of change to consume the world.
The Book that Affects Change
But I would be remiss if I didn't mention the Greatest Written Work that has permanently changed the world, the Bible.
The Bible is the most controversial book known, yet it still changes lives. Empires have fallen. Nations have changed and gotten liberated from their oppressors. Slaves have been set free. People have died over it, especially those who want to get it in the hands of the common people. It has been demonized, mocked, and has polarized people. Wars have been waged over it. Sadly, it has been the most abused written work to justify evil behavior and hatred. Yet, the Bible has been used to stand for justice, liberty, and love. The Bible has the power to affect the world. God said this about His Word:
Isaiah 55:11 ESV
"...so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."
What is the Bible? In a nutshell, it's God's story of salvation for humanity and Creation. After He created the world and people and they rebelled against Him (Genesis 1-3), He set a plan to redeem what was lost back to Himself. If you keep these following verses in mind till you get to the end of the Bible, you will see how God's plan of salvation comes together:
Genesis 3:14-15 ESV
"The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
The Bible is the written work that has changed and continues to change my life. If you want to know the Bible for yourself, then check it too. You won't be the same.
Thank you for stopping by. Happy Reformation Day! Happy Halloween! God bless!
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