Augustine's mother was a prophetess. She received revelations all throughout Augustine's 'Confessions.' She had dreams that she knew were the Lord's commands etc.
By weight of this I would conclude that she not only has the 'gift' of prophesy, but is an 'actual prophet.' She was active in her church every day etc.
Augustine took this as very valid, even later in his life as a theologian. So I guess prophesy in the early church lasted a bit longer than many would conclude. i.e. it was occuring long after the canon was closed, and even among people who had the full canon in their hands.
By weight of things as the such, I have denounced the cessational argument that prophesy stopped completely after the close of canon. Reading church history, that is a most ridiculous conclusion. Instead, my argument would run on the basis that prophesy is no longer [i:ea9bfa88b4]regulative[/i:ea9bfa88b4] for the church since the apostolic era. Then, I would say that this is no longer the prophesy that Paul told us to "eagarly desire." I also argue that tongues could come back, but it is highly improbable. The only way we would know if it is true tongues, is if it is occuring among true revival of religion (not the case today). But of course there is no need for prophesy and tongues (as 1 cor. 12-14 is talking about) when the church is rightly established. Given that, it does not follow that sparadic revelation [i:ea9bfa88b4]never[/i:ea9bfa88b4] occures. But I would classify this under (as discussed under previous threads) "providential predictive prophesy."
I don't see anything wrong with someone saying they have a dream that they believe is of the Lord, because in reality all dreams are of the Lord. But of course the Biblical concept of a 'dream' has in mind an interruption in thought patterns. But our thought patterns are interupted all the time by God. It just doesn't occur on the same level that it used to.
Besides, all Christians receive revelation: the written word [i:ea9bfa88b4]effectually applied.[/i:ea9bfa88b4] If we are all 'taught by God,' then in some sense, we are fulfilling the role of a prophet.
And no, I do not adhere to Grudem's views on this. I do not believe that this is the NT prophesy that Paul was speaking of. But it could be said that it is a type of it. But its purpose in the church has virtually diminished.
Rembrandt
[Edited on 5-14-2004 by rembrandt]
[Edited on 5-14-2004 by rembrandt]
By weight of this I would conclude that she not only has the 'gift' of prophesy, but is an 'actual prophet.' She was active in her church every day etc.
Augustine took this as very valid, even later in his life as a theologian. So I guess prophesy in the early church lasted a bit longer than many would conclude. i.e. it was occuring long after the canon was closed, and even among people who had the full canon in their hands.
By weight of things as the such, I have denounced the cessational argument that prophesy stopped completely after the close of canon. Reading church history, that is a most ridiculous conclusion. Instead, my argument would run on the basis that prophesy is no longer [i:ea9bfa88b4]regulative[/i:ea9bfa88b4] for the church since the apostolic era. Then, I would say that this is no longer the prophesy that Paul told us to "eagarly desire." I also argue that tongues could come back, but it is highly improbable. The only way we would know if it is true tongues, is if it is occuring among true revival of religion (not the case today). But of course there is no need for prophesy and tongues (as 1 cor. 12-14 is talking about) when the church is rightly established. Given that, it does not follow that sparadic revelation [i:ea9bfa88b4]never[/i:ea9bfa88b4] occures. But I would classify this under (as discussed under previous threads) "providential predictive prophesy."
I don't see anything wrong with someone saying they have a dream that they believe is of the Lord, because in reality all dreams are of the Lord. But of course the Biblical concept of a 'dream' has in mind an interruption in thought patterns. But our thought patterns are interupted all the time by God. It just doesn't occur on the same level that it used to.
Besides, all Christians receive revelation: the written word [i:ea9bfa88b4]effectually applied.[/i:ea9bfa88b4] If we are all 'taught by God,' then in some sense, we are fulfilling the role of a prophet.
And no, I do not adhere to Grudem's views on this. I do not believe that this is the NT prophesy that Paul was speaking of. But it could be said that it is a type of it. But its purpose in the church has virtually diminished.
Rembrandt
[Edited on 5-14-2004 by rembrandt]
[Edited on 5-14-2004 by rembrandt]