A brief introduction to Christian prophecy
Submitted by Forgiven on September 19 2001 03:02:17
In reply to These days are confusing me... submitted by Altima on September 18 2001 18:44:54
|
I'd want to claim that what I wrote in An Alternative response below was directly inspired - in the way that is designated as 'prophecy' in the Bible. Large chunks of the Old Testament give the appearance of being directly 'dictated' by God (as does the whole of the Koran incidentally). The whole issue of how to react to such material is a major discussion in itself; the New Testament encourages the use of the gift of prophecy, but also instructs that it should be 'tested'. The most fundamental test is whether it conforms to the teaching of scripture. A lot of what passes for prophecy in churches is relatively anodyne 'God wants to say "I love you all"' is not likely to be earth shattering in its relevance - but it might be especially helpful to someone somehow. On the other hand at times it can be highly explicit, directive and sometimes, but only sometimes, predictive. A further test of it being of God is whether any prediction contained in it does actually come true - although sometimes the predictions are conditional on the people involved not repenting - the story of Jonah being an extreme example of this. This is a VERY brief outline of the issue - which needs a lot more explanation - but I hope it opens up the subject a bit. |
Follow ups: