This present article aims at debunking the popular notion abroad, of a prophet as someone who foretells the future in the manner of someone who has a speed dial to God and is afforded a telescopic view into the future not available to ordinary mortals.
A Zambian online newspaper, Zambian Eye, reported that Prophet T B Joshua was able to prophesy the enmity between President Edgar Lungu of Zambia and his nemesis, Hakainde Hichilema after the death in office of the incumbent, Michael Chilufya Sata.
But prophetic revelations know no bounds. Their predictions range from predicting who in their congregation will be driving a BMW or will be pregnant this time next year, presumably with a little libidinal help from the prophet showing the woman’s husband how to do it while she ecstatically reaches orgasm shouting, “Alleluia” to who will win the elections in the United States because God is really bothered about the political affiliation of US presidents because of the country’s privilege of exceptionalism.
The paper tries to show that all this nouveau prophetism is a misunderstanding of the office of prophet in both the Hebrew Bible and Christian Bible. Rather than foretell the future, the prophet is someone who forth-tells — tells it as it is — whether about the past, present or future doesn’t matter.
In the process, the popularity of modern prophets as God’s merchandisers, usually for personal gain, is discussed. As in the Hebrew Bible and Christian Bible there were always true and false prophets. How to tell the difference, one from the other was the recent conversation I had with my colleague whose niece had been haunted by a modern false prophet. If the truth be told and to be fair to latter-day prophets, the choice is not always binary, that is, either true or false. There are fifty shades of grey in between, to adapt a trope from E.L. James’ erotica of the same title ranging from the genuine to the charlatan or spiritual conman.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Allô Allô Allô Papa Bonheur and Prophetic Warranty
- Why the Ubiquity and Increase in Prophetic Activity Today?
- Prophets in the Hebrew Bible as Champions of Justice
- Prophets in the Second Testament
- How do you tell a true Prophet from a fake one?
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This article aims to challenge the common misconception of prophets as fortune-tellers with direct access to God's future plans. It explores the phenomenon of modern prophets, their popularity, and the spectrum of authenticity they represent, ranging from genuine to outright charlatans. The article analyzes the role of prophets in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible, contrasting their function with that of contemporary figures. It also investigates the motivations behind the rise of modern prophets and the significant financial aspects involved.
- The nature and role of prophecy in the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament.
- The distinguishing features of true and false prophets.
- The contemporary phenomenon of "Papa" prophets and their appeal.
- The financial incentives driving the popularity of modern prophets.
- The spectrum of authenticity among modern prophets, ranging from genuine to fraudulent.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by referencing a Congolese song, "Papa Bonheur," to illustrate the contemporary phenomenon of influential religious figures often referred to as "Papa," "man of God," or "prophet." The author recounts a discussion with a colleague about the authenticity of these prophets, particularly concerning a niece who received unsettling predictions from a Nigerian prophet. This personal anecdote motivates the central question of the article: how to discern true prophets from false ones, acknowledging the existence of a broad spectrum beyond simple binary classification.
Allô Allô Allô Papa Bonheur and Prophetic Warranty: This chapter delves into the concept of prophetic warranty, questioning the reliability and accuracy of modern prophets' predictions. It challenges the notion that prophets possess a unique insight into the future, using examples from contemporary media to illustrate how seemingly prophetic statements can be interpreted retrospectively. The chapter highlights the tendency of modern prophets to focus on material prosperity and personal gain, contrasting this with the role of prophets in biblical texts.
Why the Ubiquity and Increase in Prophetic Activity Today?: This chapter explores the reasons behind the surge in prophetic activity in contemporary society. The author suggests that financial incentives play a significant role, citing the substantial wealth accumulated by some prominent religious leaders. This discussion also examines the lack of formal requirements to become a prophet, highlighting the ease of entry into the field and contributing factors to its popularity. The chapter connects the rise of modern prophets to the "God business," implying a correlation between spiritual and economic pursuits.
Prophets in the Hebrew Bible as Champions of Justice: This chapter examines the role of prophets in the Hebrew Bible, focusing on their function as advocates for social justice and moral reform. It contrasts this with the often self-serving motivations of modern prophets. The chapter analyzes biblical examples of prophets who challenged societal injustices and stood against corruption, highlighting the difference in their purpose and approach compared to their modern counterparts.
Prophets in the Second Testament: This chapter shifts the focus to the portrayal of prophets in the New Testament, analyzing their roles and responsibilities within the early Christian context. The discussion likely explores the evolution of prophetic ministry and the continuity and divergence between Old and New Testament conceptions of prophecy. The chapter contrasts the biblical understanding of prophecy with the practices of modern prophets.
How do you tell a true Prophet from a fake one?: This chapter addresses the core question of the article, providing criteria for distinguishing between genuine and false prophets. It references the work of scholars to highlight the importance of moral and social responsibility in prophetic ministry and discusses the challenges in definitively classifying prophets as either true or false, recognizing the existence of a wide spectrum of authenticity.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Prophecy, modern prophets, false prophets, true prophets, Hebrew Bible, New Testament, social justice, financial incentives, "God business," authenticity, charlatanism, religious leaders, material prosperity, biblical hermeneutics, prophetic warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this academic preview?
This preview summarizes an academic article exploring the phenomenon of modern prophets, contrasting their roles and motivations with those of prophets in the Hebrew and Christian Bibles. It examines the rise of contemporary prophets, their often-financial incentives, and the challenges in distinguishing between genuine and fraudulent figures.
What are the key themes explored in the article?
The key themes include the nature and role of prophecy in the Bible, the characteristics of true and false prophets, the contemporary phenomenon of "Papa" prophets and their appeal, the financial aspects driving their popularity, and the spectrum of authenticity among modern prophets.
What is the purpose of the article?
The article aims to challenge the misconception of prophets as mere fortune-tellers and to analyze the complexities of modern prophetic activity, considering the various motivations and levels of authenticity within the field.
How does the article approach the topic of distinguishing true from false prophets?
The article acknowledges the difficulty in establishing a simple binary classification and explores a spectrum of authenticity. It examines criteria for discernment, referencing scholarly work and emphasizing moral and social responsibility in prophetic ministry.
What biblical contexts are examined?
The article analyzes the role of prophets in both the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), highlighting their advocacy for social justice, and the New Testament, examining the evolution of prophetic ministry and its contrasts with modern practices.
What role do financial incentives play in the article's analysis?
The article significantly addresses the financial incentives driving the popularity of modern prophets, referring to the substantial wealth accumulated by some religious leaders and connecting this to the concept of a "God business."
What is the significance of the "Papa Bonheur" reference?
The Congolese song "Papa Bonheur" serves as an illustrative introduction, highlighting the widespread contemporary phenomenon of influential religious figures often referred to as "Papa," "man of God," or "prophet," setting the stage for the article's central question of authenticity.
What kind of information does the chapter summaries section provide?
The chapter summaries offer concise overviews of each section's content, outlining the key arguments and analyses presented in each chapter of the full article.
What are some of the keywords associated with this article?
Key words include: Prophecy, modern prophets, false prophets, true prophets, Hebrew Bible, New Testament, social justice, financial incentives, "God business," authenticity, charlatanism, religious leaders, material prosperity, biblical hermeneutics, prophetic warranty.
What is the intended audience for this academic preview?
The preview is intended for academic use, supporting structured and professional analysis of themes related to modern prophecy and its biblical counterparts.
- Quote paper
- Dr. Tarcisius Mukuka (Author), 2021, True and False Prophets. An analysis, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1005153