Fallible Prophecy?

When I read this post by Adrian Warnock this morning, I just had to respond. Particularly because he has backed himself into such a corner, he’s bound to come out the other side as either a cessationist himself or a very inconsistent charismatic (if he hasn’t achieved that title already).

He begins the post by calling Phil Johnson on that fact that Phil is a cessationist. (As if we didn’t know this.) Here’s Phil.

“So here's my challenge to those continuationists who insist that the problem of bogus prophecies pales in importance compared to the exegetical issues raised by cessationism: Name one faithful modern prophet whose prognostications are both objectively verifiable and always one-hundred percent accurate. Because that is the biblical standard (Deuteronomy 18:20-22).

If you argue (as most do) that the gifts being practiced today are different in quality from the gifts possessed by the apostles themselves, you are actually arguing for a kind of cessationism yourself. If no one can identify a prophet who meets the biblical standard for basic accuracy, the question of cessationism is essentially moot anyway.”

But then Adrian goes on to challenge Phil on the idea that prophecy is always infallible. And it is here that Adrian finds himself in quite the sticky place.

We seem to have hit the heart of the cause of misunderstanding between charismatic and cessationist. You see, the Deuteronomy text is from the Old Testament and when we come to the New we see a totally different view of prophecy and prophets. Prophecy in the new testament IS described as fallible- 1 Cor 13:20 "For we know in part and we prophesy in part", and we are urged to test prophecy and hold on to the good of it.

First off, it’s 1 Corinthians 13:9. Second, Adrian demonstrates a clear misunderstanding of that text. And third, we see Adrian walking the dangerous line of dividing God between His Testaments.

I can only presume that the Reformed Charismatics use this verse as a proof text for fallible prophecy and thus for a justification of their own practice. The difficulty is that “in part” has absolutely nothing to do with the amount of falsehood in a prophecy and everything to do with the completeness of the truth. “In part” refers not to a prophecy being an admixture of truth and falsehood, but to the fact that revelation is not given all at once.

“For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. ” Matt. 13:17

Prophecy has always been incomplete. Theologians refer to this as “progressive revelation”. With the coming of Christ, however, revelation began to come to a close.

“No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.” John 1:18

Jesus, as God incarnate, comes as the full revelation of God (or at least as full as we will get on earth).

“Jesus *said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” John 14:9

Indeed, if New Testament prophecy is in any way different than Old Testament prophecy, it is in the fact that it is “more sure” today because Christ has come.

“So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.“ 2 Peter 1:19

Clearly then, there can be no distinction between the revelation of God in the Old and New Testaments. To even consider such a thing would be to divide God and walk ground that neither Adrian nor anyone else would be safe walking.

My critics will retort, “But we are not talking about God revealing Himself through prophecy here, but of a more general type of prophecy.” To this my answer is direct. There is no other kind of prophecy. God cannot give revelation without “exposing” Himself. Prophecy exists for the purpose of revealing God’s Word and His plan of salvation. We cannot separate revelation from salvation, nor salvation from prophecy. Prophecy exists to serve the purposes of God’s salvific plan on earth. Yes, types of prophecies may vary and serve in smaller or greater ways within that plan, but no prophecy exists apart from God’s restoration of Himself to fallen creation.

“But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” 2 Peter 1:20-21

So, you see, prophecy is of God and will not be mixed with error.

“But,” comes the reply, “if prophecy is always infallible, why are we commanded to test it?”

That is simple. Because, false prophets also exist.

“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. ” 2 Peter 2:1

The “testing” of prophecy serves the purpose of determining whether the prophet is telling the truth or not--not to determine what of the prophecy is the truth. If any part of a prophecy is a lie, that man is to be condemned as a false prophet...not in part, but in whole.

--------------------------------------
Other Posts In This Regard:
The Gift of Cessation: An Introduction
The Gift of Cessation, Part II: Miracles and their Frequency
Logic and the Common Pack Mule
The Gift of Cessation, Part III: Miraculous Attestation and Scripture
Phil Johnson Gets Charismatic