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Should Reformed preachers be stoned if they make a mistake while preaching? If the preacher is talking and he accidentally calls Elisah Elijah, should we pick up stones to throw at him?
That question is tongue in cheek. What I would like to talk about is the way so many in the Reformed movement, following in the footsteps of John Calvin, have redefined the words 'prophesy', 'prophecy', and 'prophet'.
If we look at how the words are used in scripture, they prophesying involves receiving a revelatory message from the Spirit and communicating it, usually through speech. (There may also have been prophecy through song. There is one reference to prophesying on musical instruments, and there were prophetic sign acts like walking around naked, burning hair, or wearing a dirty belt in the Old Testament.) Peter describes the prophesying of the Old Testament as 'holy men of old spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.'
Propheciess in the Old Testament typically started with 'Thus saith the LORD.' Agabus, a church prophet from Jerusalem mentioned in Acts began his prophecy with 'Thus saith the Holy Ghost.' Should we think that the prophecies of other prophets in the early church were Bible teaching sermons?
Paul tells us about the revelatory nature of prophecy when he gives instructions on church meetings, which include instructions on how 'every one of you' may teach, sing, speak in tongues, share revelations, and interpret in an edifying and orderly manner. If, while the prophets are speaking two or three, he says 'if a revelation comes to one sitting by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy....'
Prophesying is revelatory in nature. But many in the Reformed movement redefine the term to refer to preaching and teaching from the pulpit, or to particularly good preaching and teaching.
This goes back at least to John Calvin, who wrote, in his commentary on I Corinthians 12.
And here, where he shows he is not dogmatic about it.
(Quote taken from http://biblehub.com/commentaries/calvin/1_corinthians/12.htm)
There are those who will argue regarding more 'Charismatic' forms of prophesying that if anyone prophesies falsely, he should be stone. But then the same individuals will define prophesying as pulpit preaching and teaching (probably the type of thinking Calvin disagreed with in the second quote, but still similar to Calvin's view.) If preaching from behind the pulpit is prophesying, then wouldn't a preacher who makes some small mistake, mispeaks, or especially teaches the wrong interpretation be guilty of falsely prophesying? Let's say one preacher preaches an amil interpretation for example, and another preaches historic premilinealism, and another preaches pre-trib. Wouldn't one who believes that preaching and teaching is prophesying have to conclude that a preacher who errs in such a matter in his preaching is a false prophet?
Should Reformed preachers be stoned if they make a mistake while preaching? If the preacher is talking and he accidentally calls Elisah Elijah, should we pick up stones to throw at him?
That question is tongue in cheek. What I would like to talk about is the way so many in the Reformed movement, following in the footsteps of John Calvin, have redefined the words 'prophesy', 'prophecy', and 'prophet'.
If we look at how the words are used in scripture, they prophesying involves receiving a revelatory message from the Spirit and communicating it, usually through speech. (There may also have been prophecy through song. There is one reference to prophesying on musical instruments, and there were prophetic sign acts like walking around naked, burning hair, or wearing a dirty belt in the Old Testament.) Peter describes the prophesying of the Old Testament as 'holy men of old spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.'
Propheciess in the Old Testament typically started with 'Thus saith the LORD.' Agabus, a church prophet from Jerusalem mentioned in Acts began his prophecy with 'Thus saith the Holy Ghost.' Should we think that the prophecies of other prophets in the early church were Bible teaching sermons?
Paul tells us about the revelatory nature of prophecy when he gives instructions on church meetings, which include instructions on how 'every one of you' may teach, sing, speak in tongues, share revelations, and interpret in an edifying and orderly manner. If, while the prophets are speaking two or three, he says 'if a revelation comes to one sitting by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy....'
Prophesying is revelatory in nature. But many in the Reformed movement redefine the term to refer to preaching and teaching from the pulpit, or to particularly good preaching and teaching.
This goes back at least to John Calvin, who wrote, in his commentary on I Corinthians 12.
By this term he means, (in my opinion,) not those who were endowed with the gift of prophesying, but those who were endowed with a peculiar gift, not merely for interpreting Scripture, but also for applying it wisely for present use. [768] My reason for thinking so is this, that he prefers prophecy to all other gifts, on the ground of its yielding more edification -- a commendation that would not be applicable to the predicting of future events. Farther, when he describes the office of Prophet, or at least treats of what he ought principally to do, he says that he must devote himself to consolation, exhortation, and doctrine. Now these are things that are distinct from prophesyings. [769] Let us, then, by Prophets in this passage understand, first of all, eminent interpreters of Scripture, and farther, persons who are endowed with no common wisdom and dexterity in taking a right view of the present necessity of the Church, that they may speak suitably to it, and in this way be, in a manner, ambassadors to communicate the divine will.
And here, where he shows he is not dogmatic about it.
My reason for not agreeing with those who make the whole of the office of Prophet consist in the interpretation of Scripture, is this -- that Paul restricts the number of those who ought to speak, to two or three; (1 Corinthians 14:29,) which would not accord with a bare interpretation of Scripture. In fine, my opinion is this -- that the Prophets here spoken of are those who make known the will of God, by applying with dexterity and skill prophecies, threatenings, promises, and the whole doctrine of Scripture, to the present use of the Church. If any one is of a different opinion, I have no objection to his being so, and will not raise any quarrel on that account. For it is difficult to form a judgment as to gifts and offices of which the Church has been so long deprived, excepting only that there are some traces, or shadows of them still to be seen.
(Quote taken from http://biblehub.com/commentaries/calvin/1_corinthians/12.htm)
There are those who will argue regarding more 'Charismatic' forms of prophesying that if anyone prophesies falsely, he should be stone. But then the same individuals will define prophesying as pulpit preaching and teaching (probably the type of thinking Calvin disagreed with in the second quote, but still similar to Calvin's view.) If preaching from behind the pulpit is prophesying, then wouldn't a preacher who makes some small mistake, mispeaks, or especially teaches the wrong interpretation be guilty of falsely prophesying? Let's say one preacher preaches an amil interpretation for example, and another preaches historic premilinealism, and another preaches pre-trib. Wouldn't one who believes that preaching and teaching is prophesying have to conclude that a preacher who errs in such a matter in his preaching is a false prophet?
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