Vigil: Clash of the Prophets

by

November 27, 2023 

 My study of imperialism in general and nationalism in particular reveals that it includes a clash of prophets—true ones and false ones. Imperialist/nationalist leaders gather clerics around them who fawn over them and declare their words and deeds to be God blessed. [1] Resistance movements include clerics who denounce “the dirty rotten system” and seek nonviolently to overcome evil with good.

This creates confusion. Which prophets are we to believe? Chances are, we end up praising the prophets who reinforce our beliefs. But that avoids discerning the truth or falsehood of the prophets themselves. It leaves us socially subjective and vulnerable to deception. Is that the best we can do? Is there some way to distinguish true prophets from false ones?

I took this question to Walter Brueggemann, both in his writing and in a recent email exchange with him. And as has been true of our past interactions, his counsel was insightful. He has helped me to see in Scripture key criteria for discerning true prophets from false ones.

First, true prophets expose sin; false prophets enshrine it. False prophets espouse Dominionist theology and politics of exceptionalism. Brueggemann sees this noted particularly in racism and nationalism. [2] But it proliferates into countless other manifestations of supremacy, elitism, othering, and exclusion. On the contrary, true prophets advocate the common good, summed up in the word "justice." [3] True prophets live in the spirit of Micah 6:8. [4]

Second, true prophets call for repentance; false prophets deny the need for it. False prophets bless the system with a political mindset that makes authoritarianism a sacred cow and demagogues messiahs. Greed is virtue, not a vice. [5] Subrosa activity prevails (John 3:19-20). Hard-heartedness rules among the pharaohs and pharisees. On the contrary, true prophets lament fallen-world ideology and exhort the people to have a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17). It is on lament that change occurs. True prophets call us to mourn our personal and collective sinfulness.

Third, true prophets are visionaries; false prophets are obscurantists. False prophets believe God’s defining words and acts occurred in the past. Faithfulness is adherence to various expressions of religious orthodoxy and political originalism—a “correct” theology and “great-nation” view which they say once existed. On the contrary, true prophets honor the past without idolizing it. They do this by recognizing that God does new things (Isaiah 43:19) and that seeing them is mandatory. Knowledge evolves; so must faith. True prophets see a future filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11), and they invite people to live into it. [6]

In sum, true prophets commend neighborliness [7]; false prophets enjoin divisiveness. And as Walter reminded me in his email, true prophets align with the nature of Yahweh [8] who makes and keeps Covenant with us and expects us to do the same with others. True prophets interrupt the silencing [9] which imperialism demands (with its various forms of intimidation and caricature, complete with accompanying legislation) and declare “thus says the Lord” through truth speaking to power in ways that overcome evil with good by means of nonviolent resistance. [10]

So, even though prophets abound all along the truth/falsehood spectrum, not all of them are legitimate. Use the criteria above to discern between those who are false and those who are true. As Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16), waxed or genuine. Embrace the true prophets. [11]

[1] This is not new. Demagoguery is always religious. It can only survive by falsely alleging it is “of God.”

[2] He named these two things as paramount signs of idolatry in a “Questions That Matter” interview for Overthinking Christian on May 14, 2022. But many of his writings (before and since) state the same. You can search “brueggemann on exceptionalism” to find more.

[3] Walter Brueggemann, "Journey to the Common Good" updated edition (WJK, 2021).

[4] Walter Brueggemann, "From Judgment to Hope: A Study on the Prophets" (WJK, 2919).

[5] Walter Brueggemann, "Ancient Echoes: Refusing the Fear-Filled, Greed-Driven Toxicity of the Far Right" (Fortress Press, 2023).

[6] Walter Brueggemann, "Reality, Grief, and Hope: Three Urgent Prophetic Tasks" (Eerdmans, 2014). In this book he expands on the three points just noted.

[7] Walter Brueggemann in a 2017 video-taped interview (15:41) with Eliot Rausch at Restore Commons entitled, “Neighborliness and Solidarity” It’s one of six interviews with him on the need for Covenant living.

[8] Walter Brueggemann, "Theology of the Old Testament" (Fortress Press, 2005), 216. Yahweh is characterized by mercy, grace, faithfulness, forgiveness, and steadfast love. This roots God’s justice in restoration, not retribution, and makes social-justice (social holiness in the Wesleyan tradition) mandatory.

[9] Walter Brueggemann, "Interrupting the Silence: God’s Command to Speak Out" (WJK, 2018).

[10] Walter Brueggemann, "Truth Speaks to Power" (WJK, 2013).

[11] Walter Brueggemann with Tim Scorer, "Embracing the Prophets" (Morehouse, 2011). A six-week study that includes video teaching by Walter.

Dr. Steve Harper is retired seminary professor, who taught for 32 years in the disciplines of Spiritual Formation and Wesley Studies. Author and co-author of 45 books, he is also a retired Elder in The Florida Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.