[Greek] ποίημα (poiēma), [Latin] factum, [Latin] factura: what is made, workmanship, creation, products, handiwork; Rom.1:20, Eph.2:10
Background information:
Ancient Greeks: This term means what is produced, work, deed, invention, poem, creation, and production. The ancient Greeks had no term corresponding to the creative process. On a philosophical level, this person brings something into existence that did not exist before. This making or doing applied to poetry. This is in contrast to art which already had existing rules and laws. The classical Greeks had not yet applied inspiration and imagination to the other arts. Plato disapproves of poetry because it was based on a falsehood (what appears to the poet). Rather, Plato believed that philosophy brings forth truth.
Plato’s Symposium 205b: “Poetry is more than a single thing, for of anything that passes from not being into being the whole cause is composing of poetry.”
Herodotus’s The Histories 4.5: “The Scythians say their nation is the youngest in the world, and that it came into being this way.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 1.25: “Among all the offerings at Delphi is the work of Glaucus the Chian, the only one who discovered how to weld iron.”
Plato’s Republic 5.473b: “We must try to discover and point out what it is that is badly managed in our cities, that prevents them from being so governed.”
Old Testament: This term, used extensively, means action, deed, work, labor, and creation. God is seen as a creator. Man’s actions pertain to work, achievements, deed, and practices.
New Testament: This term means what is made (God’s workmanship) and creation. The New Testament takes for granted that God is Creator. God’s invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and perceived. Man, in God’s image, becomes His greatest masterpiece. Christians who are raised up with Christ are God’s creations.
Etymology: The Greek noun poiema means thing made or created. The Greek noun poiesis is the process of making or doing. The Greek noun poietes is one who makes or does. The Greek verb poieo means to make or do. The Latin noun factum is an action or anything done. The Latin noun factura is a thing manufactured.
Scripture:
“Ever since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what He has made. As a result, they have no excuse.” Rom.1:20
God’s creation can be physically perceived and understood.
“For we are His handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them.” Eph.2:10
Christians are God’s creations. Man and woman are made in God’s image.
The famous question from the Baltimore Catechism (1884): “Why did God make you?”
“To know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world and to be happy with Him forever in the next.”
Conclusion,
Poem, poetic, poetry, factor, manufacture
It was quite interesting to discover that the ancient Greeks did not have a Greek word for “to create” or for “creator”. I think this helps to illustrate the unique character of poetry, different from other art forms. I was not surprised that the gods were perceived as having creative abilities and powers. It was interesting to discover that Plato had “a chip on his shoulder” regarding poets. (You can’t make this up!) ☺☺☺
In the Old Testament, God becomes the Lord of all Creation. Everything comes from Him.
“Sacraments are visible signs of an invisible grace” St. Augustine
Next post: knowing God through marriage (and good old ‘fashioned’ marriage advice!)