R.C. Sproul: There Is No True Prophecy Today

Last Days Watchman ^ | Julio Severo

[juliosevero]

R.C. Sproul: There Is No True Prophecy Today

By Julio Severo

According to Charisma magazine, Calvinist theologian Dr. R.C. Sproul says he was “deeply immersed” in charismatic circles in the 1960s and that after receiving about 50 false prophecies, he said to himself, “You know, I’m going to live my life by what it says in the Word, because I know the Spirit has superintended that.”

So, with his bad experience with prophecy, Dr. Sproul concluded that there is no genuine gift of prophecy for today.

By coincidence, his personal bad experience aligns itself with a strong theological view in many Calvinist circles: the belief that God does not grant today supernatural gifts as healings, speaking in tongues, prophecies and other miracles. Cessationism. Apparently, all because they had bad experiences.

Have Calvinist theologians bad luck?

I see Calvinist churches ordaining gays, supporting abortion and boycotts against Israel, especially in Europe and America. Should I conclude that Calvinist churches are not genuine Christian churches?

I have often heard Bible misrepresentations by Jehovah’s Witnesses and similar groups. Should I conclude that the Bible leads to heresy?

Twenty years ago, I received a prophetic word in a prayer meeting in Brasilia. The word said that my name would be known throughout Brazil. I had never asked for it. Even after this prophetic experience, I did not begin to pray for it.

But it came to pass. Years later, I had a book published by the Brazilian branch of Bethany House Publishers. My book, “O Movimento Homossexual” (The Homosexual Movement). was written under prophetic inspiration.

Of course, I have heard misrepresentations of the gift of prophecy, in the same way I have heard misrepresentations of the Bible. My way to deal with misrepresentations is to know how to test and examine. After all, the Bible teaches us: “Do not despise prophecies, but a test everything.” (1 Thessalonians 5:20,21 ESV) It teaches to examine what is preached in the name of the Bible and what is prophesied in the name of God.

The cessationist stance has strong disagreements among Calvinists, because there are Calvinists who believe that God has never ceased His gifts.

Calvinist theologian Dr. J. Rodman Williams, in his “Renewal Theology: Systematic Theology from a Charismatic Perspective” (Zondervan), said, “God, the living God, is the God of revelation. He is ready to grant through His Spirit a spirit of revelation and wisdom for a deeper knowledge of Christ and also through revelation and prophecy to speak to His people. God has not changed in His desire to communicate directly with those who belong to Him.”

His stance open to the Holy Spirit is a stark contrast with the cessationist stance of Dr. Sproul. There are Calvinists in both camps.

I am not a Calvinist, but I am in Dr. Williams’ camp.

I find no Bible support to reject when God wants to direct or speak to us today through prophecy. I follow a “Sola Scriptura” which means “only the Bible,” but I fear that when some theologians mention “Sola Scriptura” (only Scripture) what they mean is “Sola Theologia” (only theology). Nothing else.

After years living only in Sweden, you begin to speak Swedish. After years living and believing only in God’s Word, you begin to live its reality, especially the reality of its Author. This is real “Sola Scriptura.” But after years living and believing only in theology, you begin to think and speak it. This is “Sola Theologia,” often misunderstood as “Sola Scriptura.”

Outside the arid fields of certain theological misinterpretations of God’s action and guidance, opportunities are vast for people open to Him and His living Word.

Years ago, I met George Otis. His father had met Ronald Reagan in his ranch in 1970. In the presence of singer Pat Boone, a charismatic Christian, he delivered a prophetic word to Reagan: “God will raise you up as president of the United States.” If Reagan had had bad luck, later he could also tell about his bad experiences with prophecy.

Yet, false prophecy never nullifies true prophecy. False Bible teaching never nullifies true Bible teaching. Bible misrepresentation or false prophecy is no excuse to annul God’s Word and prophetic guiding.

There is no president, in Brazil or other nation, that I admire most than Reagan. As a teen in the 1980s, I defended Reagan while my peers were taught by media to hate him. Poor Reagan was portrayed as the cause for all problems in the world. Yet, he was my hero. I had always felt something from God about him, and when I met Otis, I had a confirmation about my inklings.

In the words of Paul Kengor, Reagan was a “crusader” against communism. How could not I admire such brave man when I also fight the Marxist heresy in Brazil?

But I doubt that I would be able to nurture this admiration among Brazilian Calvinist apologists today.

In the Brazilian Protestant churches, the defense of socialist ideology has been spearheaded by Calvinist apologists. By contrast, the conservative resistance has been spearheaded by neo-charismatics, who are fearlessly fighting the abortion and sodomy agenda.

One of the leading Calvinist leaders in Brazil is Ariovaldo Ramos, who is a former director of World Vision in Brazil. He has publicly praised the late Venezuelan Marxist dictator Hugo Chávez, whom he said he met sometimes. Ramos has led efforts to criticize neo-charismatic leaders, including Pentecostal minister Marco Feliciano, who has been viciously attacked by the mainstream media in Brazil for his vocal stances against abortion and sodomy. Ramos is considered by the Brazilian evangelical Left as a “prophet” of the Theology of Integral Mission, the Protestant version of the Marxist Liberation Theology.

There are not many neo-charismatic theologians in Brazil. In fact, I do not know anyone. But there are many conservatives among them. On the other hand, there are many theologians in the Calvinist churches in Brazil, but not many conservative leaders. Should we conclude that Calvinist theology brings bad luck to churches?

Calvinist apologists in Brazil have spearheaded the fight to promote liberalism and socialism and, at the same time, the fight against neo-charismatics. Cessationism and Theology of Integral Mission are their passion, and the neo-charismatic growth is their hate. So should we conclude that Calvinism is false Christianity by their bad example in Brazil?

The largest Presbyterian denomination in America is ordaining homosexuals and committing other abominations. Should we conclude that Calvinism leads to apostasy?

You do not need prophetic guiding to understand that Marxism is a heresy. In Brazil, it is the most powerful heresy affecting the churches. Orestes Brownson (1803–1876), who was raised a Calvinist and converted himself to Catholicism, was probably the first Christian to warn America about the perils of the Marxist heresy.

If church leaders do not want to hear what God has to say in His own terms and conditions, they will see their flocks leaving, as Brownson did.

Regardless the bad experiences of Sproul and other Calvinists, God speaks today. If they gave more attention to God through His gifts, they would be more able to resist to the socialist onslaught against the church and society.

If you want to know this fight in Brazil, download my free English book here: http://bit.ly/1a6brwP

Portuguese version of this article: R.C. Sproul: Não há profecia verdadeira hoje

Spanish version of this article: R. C. Sproul: No existe profecía verdadera hoy

Source: Julio Severo in English: www.lastdayswatchman.blogspot.com

Recommended Reading:

Liberation Theology and Neo-Pentecostalism: A Leading Challenge to the Evangelical Churches in Brazil

[Alex Murphy]

I am not a Calvinist

I could've guessed that from the headline of the article.

Julio, why not (re)post this in the Religion Forum?

[SeekAndFind]

There are four ways to tell a true from false prophet:

If the “prophet” or “prophetess” (Note the quotes):

1. …has prophesies that aren’t 100 percent accurate 100 percent of the time (or are manipulated to come “true”) = False.

2. …points to any “Jesus” other than the biblical one = False.

3. …uses supernatural or occultist techniques used in his or her prophecy = False.

4. …has a rebellious, unrepentant spirit = False.

All FOUR of these tests should be applied, as many false prophets can pass two or three of them. If he or she fails at any one of these, = FALSE.

What if somebody prophesies something and it comes true?

Should you listen to them? Check out what Deuteronomy says in Chapter 13 verse 1:

“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the LORD your God is testing you to find out if you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him. But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has counseled rebellion against the LORD your God who brought you from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, to seduce you from the way in which the LORD your God commanded you to walk. So you shall purge the evil from among you.”

So the Bible is saying that just because someone prophesies the future—it doesn’t mean they are a true prophet. Further, it says God will allow certain prophets to arise who are false who will perform signs and wonders, to test you to find out if you love Him. Then you are to test these prophets by their DOCTRINE! If they are preaching a different Christ or it doesn’t matter— you are not to listen to them.

[Gamecock]

I see Calvinist churches ordaining gays, supporting abortion and boycotts against Israel...

Name truely Calvinist churches that do any of this.

Go ahead. I'll wait.

[Gamecock]

The largest Presbyterian denomination in America is ordaining homosexuals and committing other abominations. Should we conclude that Calvinism leads to apostasy?

The PC(USA) jumped the rail as a church over 100 years ago. They haven't resembled anything Calvinistic since the early 1900s.

[Arlis]

I love R.C. Sproul, but here he is contradicting his OWN THEOLOGY.

Why? Because he believes “Sola scriptura”, he must accept the word of God on its own with no supporting outside evidence.

On the other hand, HE IS SAYING HIS EXPERIENCE TRUMPS SCRIPTURE! Never! This is the error of a majority of pastors/teachers - they draw their interpretation of scripture from their experience. “My experience confirms scripture to be true.” THIS ITSELF IS ERROR!

Because it places my experience as a higher authority than scripture.

Nowhere in scripture is a time when prophecy ends discussed other than the end of I Corin. 13, which refers to “when the perfect comes” - i.e., when Christ returns and His kingdom is set up.

I too have heard 100x more “flesh originated” prophecies than I have real ones - but that is due to the lack of spiritual maturity in the church - not because scripture teaches it.

My experience may TOTALLY contradict scripture.

Yet scripture is yet true.

PS: This is a common error of most pastors/teachers who after teaching a truth from scripture, then attempt to “prove” the validity of that particular truth from their own experience. “I know it’s true because I’ve experienced it!” Sorry, this is error. Scripture is above and a higher authority than your experience. By about a million miles.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

A rejection of modern prophecy embraces the ideas within Preterism, that “the clock long ago ran out”, that mankind was taught what to do, so either succeeds or fails based on that with no additional ‘help’ or commands.

This is a tricky concept within Christianity, but one that should be considered, because it places the responsibility for life on the living. Like a small child being sent to school for the first day, the child feels abandoned, but the parents have to assume that they will do what they have been taught so far. Eventually they come home to their parents, wiser for their experiences.

[unlearner]

Seems to me that both sides could be guilty of interpreting scripture based on personal experiences rather than interpreting our experiences based on scripture.

[DannyTN]

1Cr 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away. 1Cr 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 1Cr 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 1Cr 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 1Cr 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 1Cr 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity.

1 Cor 13 mentions the passing of tongues in verse 8, while "But when that which is perfect is come" is not till verse 10. It's not at all clear whether the passing of tongues and prophecy occurs before or at the same time as the coming of the perfect.

What that passages teaches is that faith, hope and charity are the gifts to be cherished. Tongues and prophecy are not nearly as important.

What history records is that tongues and major prophecy did pretty much cease. Neo-Montanism

The only major prophecies I'm aware of since the Apostle Paul are the St. Malachy's prophecy of the popes, made in the 1100's. And maybe the Fatima vision. And neither one of those was made by someone considered to be a major prophet.

Revelations speaks of two major prophets that will be in Israel during the Great Tribulation. (Rev 11:1-14) Because of the mention of these two, and the fact that the revelation of Salvation was complete with Jesus and the Apostles. And in light of the passage above, many of us believe that the tongues and prophecy in particular ceased after the apostolic age and major prophecy won't return until these two.

That's not to say that God doesn't still speak to people or is limited in anyway. He can give a prophecy to anyone whenever he wants. But people who claim these gifts are viewed a little skeptical by many of us. People who claim to be "a prophet" are viewed extremely critical by many of us. And I see no one out there that is recognized as a prophet that is preaching to the nations with specific prophecies.

[DannyTN]

1Cr 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away. 1Cr 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 1Cr 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 1Cr 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 1Cr 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 1Cr 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity.

1 Cor 13 mentions the passing of tongues in verse 8, while "But when that which is perfect is come" is not till verse 10. It's not at all clear whether the passing of tongues and prophecy occurs before or at the same time as the coming of the perfect.

What that passages teaches is that faith, hope and charity are the gifts to be cherished. Tongues and prophecy are not nearly as important.

What history records is that tongues and major prophecy did pretty much cease. Neo-Montanism

The only major prophecies I'm aware of since the Apostle Paul are the St. Malachy's prophecy of the popes, made in the 1100's. And maybe the Fatima vision. And neither one of those was made by someone considered to be a major prophet. Both are considered controversial.

Revelations speaks of two major prophets that will be in Israel during the Great Tribulation. (Rev 11:1-14) Because of the mention of these two, and the fact that the revelation of Salvation was complete with Jesus and the Apostles. And in light of the passage above, many of us believe that the tongues and prophecy in particular ceased after the apostolic age and major prophecy won't return until these two.

That's not to say that God doesn't still speak to people or is limited in anyway. He can give a prophecy to anyone whenever he wants. But people who claim these gifts are viewed a little skeptical by many of us. People who claim to be "a prophet" are viewed extremely critical by many of us. And I see no one out there that is recognized as a prophet that is preaching to the nations with specific prophecies.

[DannyTN]

On the other hand, HE IS SAYING HIS EXPERIENCE TRUMPS SCRIPTURE! Never! This is the error of a majority of pastors/teachers - they draw their interpretation of scripture from their experience. “My experience confirms scripture to be true.” THIS ITSELF IS ERROR! Because it places my experience as a higher authority than scripture."

God gave us brains and expects us to use them. I don't think God asks for completely blind faith. God has put knowledge of himself in our hearts. He has given us consciences and the Holy Spirit to help reveal truth to us.

It is this innate knowledge and experience that brings us to recognize the truth of scripture.

Scripture is also authenticated through the demonstration of God's foreknowledge (prophecy) and God's power (miracles). Scripture records that all of Creation speaks to God's power.

So it is both with the Mind and heart and the realization of what has been revealed to us, that we come to recognize God and God's scripture.

Once we realize that scripture is from God, then of course we would be fools to let our own experience lead us to pick and choose what parts of God's revelation we want to believe.

But we are in fact required to use our brains and hearts to make the determination in the first place. And it's useful to examine the false religions.

Both Islam and Mormonism include large elements of truth from the original scripture. But then they go on to cast doubt on the original scripture so they can introduce their own doctrines that are foriegn and contradictory to those scriptures.

Again this requires using your brain to distinguish what's the real scripture from what's the fake. What came first and what's the distortion? What was authenticated with miracles and prophecies and what was not?

[Hoodat]

Great, just what we need. Yet another self-professed Christian placing limits on God.

Stop him, Lord! He is charging the air with disbelief!

[DannyTN]

Clarification: When i say it’s useful to examine the false religions, I mean, it’s best to become very very familiar with the original scripture. And then examine the false religions. By knowing the original well, you can spot the falsehoods.