Elijah and Prophecy in General

Elijah and Elisha

Adventure stories, not oracles

The contest with the prophets of Baal (1 King 18)

The small still voice (1 Kings 19:11-12)

Miracles influence the NT

The chariot of fire

Problems with claims to prophecy and direct revelation

How do we verify?

Miracles not common as “proof” in the OT

Distrust of magic

Prophets can be liars

Prophets can be wrong

True prophets have no ulterior motive

Most of the Bible does not claim direct revelation

Theology of revelation

Jews, Christians, and Muslims believe that God reveals Godself, but how do we know what to believe?

• Some Christians (not Catholics) say that the divine authority of the Bible is a proposition to accept or reject
• Most Christians believe that human reason converges with other indicators, points to truth
• Other indicators include our own experience and our communities including our immediate family and extended community of all Christians historically (tradition)
• Many Christians believe there is something inside us that naturally resonates with truth when we hear it
• Many Christians believe God inspiration (Holy Spirit) works not only in the ancient act of writing but also the contemporary act of reading/listening

Types of prophets

Apostolic — commissioned and sent for a purpose

Professional

• Charged a fee
• Studied how to be a prophet
• Comparable to counselors, advisors, life coaches
• Comparable to the sciences
• Comparable to placebo effect