  Spiritual
This week: The Devil's Bible Edited by: Shannon  
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Welcome to the Spiritual Newsletter. My name is Shannon and I'm your editor this week.
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What is three feet tall, 20 inches wide, weighs 165 pounds, and was once considered the eighth wonder of the world? Why, the nearly 800-year-old Codex Gigas (Latin for "big book"), of course.
I first learned about the Codex Gigas approximately eight years ago when I watched a documentary about it on National Geographic Channel. A medieval manuscript that weighs as much as an adult man? I thought. That is SO cool! I'd love to flip through its pages!
"There’s a certain charm in old books and texts--maybe it’s the feel of the paper, the smell of a good binding, or the eloquent use of language that makes them so irresistible. Whatever it is, there’s one ancient book that has captured the imaginations of scholars and laypeople alike more so than any other: The Codex Gigas, better known as The Devil’s Bible." 1
With an approximate completion date of 1230 A.D., the Codex Gigas is housed within the National Library of Sweden in Stockholm and received its nickname "The Devil's Bible" because it contains a 20-inch tall illustration of Satan himself. Illuminated
| to decorate a manuscript, book, etc. with colors and gold or silver, as was often done in the Middle Ages |
While the identity of the author remains uncertain, the calligraphic handwriting is consistent from start to finish, leading many experts to believe the text was written by one person. It is estimated that such a feat would have taken decades, and legend has it the tome was penned by a Benedictine monk, Herman the Recluse, who sold his soul to the devil.
Fantastical myths notwithstanding, The Devil's Bible is compelling. It's physically substantial, aesthetically pleasing, artistically extraordinary, and utterly bizarre. What were the author's intentions when he combined such works into one massive manuscript? How did one man possess the estimated 160 animals/skins needed to craft the pages? Why the huge portrait of the Devil, and why are the sheets immediately before and after the image darker than the surrounding pages? These are just a few of the questions raised by the cryptic volume since it emerged in the early 13th century, and the mystery surrounding the work endures to this day.
Just as the majority of Christians believe the Holy Bible is the inspired word of God, some people believe the Devil's Bible was inspired by the Prince of Darkness. What do you believe? Would you, if given the opportunity, flip through its pages? Does the manuscript evoke a sense of wonder or instill fear? Send me your thoughts and I'll include them in next month's newsletter.
Thank you for reading, and if you're curious to know more about the Codex Gigas, watch the documentary or peruse its pages here.
Notes:
1. http://www.disclose.tv/news/the_mystery_of_the_devils_bible_uncovered/122608
2. http://mysteriousuniverse.org/2014/11/the-mystery-of-the-devils-bible
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I hope you enjoy this week's featured selections. Please do the authors the courtesy of reviewing the ones you read. Thank you, and have a great week!
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The following is in response to "Seven Deadly Sins" :
QPdoll  writes, "I believe sin exists and we are surrounded by it daily. I believe there are no levels of sin because in the eyes of Jesus a sin is a sin, no matter to what degree we believe it to be. I also believe that all sin is forgivable. However, the person asking forgiveness must truly be repentant. He will know as He knows our hearts and can see if we're being truthful."
intuey of House Lannister  writes, "Excellent NL, Shannon. I believe once saved, always saved. Unless you intentionally turn your back on God. I also believe that that doesn't give you a free pass. You still need to ask forgiveness of your sins, that way they will exist no more. But that doesn't mean you can go out and commit sin on purpose and say, 'Oh, I'll just ask for forgiveness after.' Just because we are saved and we'll get into heaven, our sin still matters. There's different levels of heaven. I want to be on the highest level I can be! I want God to say, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.' I wrote two poems quite some time back: 'God, Who Are You?' and 'God, What Am I To Achieve In Life?' Both poems were written when I was going through a hard time. I've included the second [see submitted item below] because it relates more to your subject. Thanks also for including the History's Channel segment on The Seven Deadly Sins. I have also watched this documentary a few times! It's definitely worth watching  I love documentaries like this. I may not agree with them 100%, but they're still interesting!  "
Zeke  writes, "There are ten commandments, are only seven deadly?"
Vaughan Jones - ONE Scribe  writes, "Shannon, thank you as always. I get you fully in terms of the differences in the interpretations of the Bible. As in my writings; if you consider that the Bible was compiled by Constantine (emperor of the Roman empire around 450AD) after his meetings with bishops and the like at the Nicean Council 450AD to 455AD, thus it was put together by what became the Roman Catholic Church, it's no wonder there are vast discrepancies in interpretation. Over and above the hundreds of rewritings since, it is still regarded as the inspired word of God. BULLSH!@#$. However sin does exist since everything we think, say and do is our own choice and if, in so doing, we wrong one another then we have sinned. Very simple Yeah?"
Quick-Quill  writes, "This is a first. To even write about this has been taboo at times. I'm in the husbands camp. But the key is 'What is sin?' Depending on who you ask. The bible says it's doing something you know is 'one of the deadly sins' as you call them. To knowingly do something that is wrong. If you start the phrase 'I shouldn't say this but...' You are going to have to ask God for forgiveness. Maybe not to 'do your first works over,' but there will be some repentance there. Blowing past a stop sign you didn't see isn't a sin, saying you'd be somewhere then something came up and you couldn't isn't a sin. But to out right lie, steal, do something you know will cause someone pain. Yep I'd say that is a sin. I don't believe one sins in thought word and deed every day. There is some grace involved and we are human. The key is KNOWING you are going to commit a sin or knowing you shouldn't do something and going ahead and doing it. I believe God gave us a free will to use it wisely. He can't interfere with our will, he gently nudges us the right way and its up to us to do it."
God's Anointed Poet  writes, "I agree with your newsletter about the Seven Deadly Sins, but if Jesus would return on this earth, He would find sin in all of us, even me."
QueenOwl ~ A New Day Dawns writes, "Hi Shannon. Thank you for featuring 'It Is Well With My Soul' in this issue of your spiritual newsletter. Rereading it put a lump in my throat. It relived my mixed feelings that day all over again. A cloud in my eyes is hovering still because my sister, Hannie, passed away on April 26, barely two months ago and I don't have the courage to finish the obituary I prepared for her. Reading this all over again tells me to finish what I started so I can submit it in the Obituary page of Eternal Hills Mortuary and also post it here."
Thank you all for taking the time to read and comment! Anyone familiar with my newsletters knows I like to write about controversial topics, and I appreciate your courageous, passionate responses. Thank you! 
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Spiritual: July 06, 2016 Issue [#7727]
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