“Live Long & Prosper” was theVulcan greeting used by Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), the Science Officer onboard the starship USS Enterprise on the sci-fi series STAR TREK/NBC/1966-69.(Info taken from:  http://www.tvacres.com/greetings_spock2.htm )Long before Star Trek, the concept of Live Long and Prosper existed– although not in those exact words.  In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses speaks to the people he has led out of slavery in Egypt. In chapter 5, verse 33, he tells them that if they walk in the ways of the Lord God, then they will have a long life and it will be well with them.

Had the writers of Star Trek taken their phrase from the Bible? I don’t know. But I know this, I believe my biggest inspiration for fiction ideas come from the Bible.

If you want to be a writer and you want ideas, read the Bible. I think you’ll be surprised how many concepts you see in works of fiction have actually come from its pages.

Here’s a challenge to those who believe the Bible is nothing but fiction–read it. What are you afraid of? If it is nothing but fiction, then you have nothing to worry about, do you?

Deuteronomy 5:32-33 (New International Version)Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

32 So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. 33 Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.