Karen said...
… the traditional view of Neviim (Prophets) is
not that of a select group of the few whose reputation preceded them ...
The mark of a Prophet is not how well-known or respectable he or she is. In fact, it is shown over and over that most people preferred false prophets because they brought pleasant, palatable and respectable teachings that didn't upset the status quo too much. By contrast the real Prophets often brought challenging messages that often rocked the boat. Listening to them would mean making hard changes and it was easier to dismiss and ridicule them than face reality…
The mark of a Prophet is not how well-known or respectable he or she is. In fact, it is shown over and over that most people preferred false prophets because they brought pleasant, palatable and respectable teachings that didn't upset the status quo too much. By contrast the real Prophets often brought challenging messages that often rocked the boat. Listening to them would mean making hard changes and it was easier to dismiss and ridicule them than face reality…
Sometimes, unfortunately, the people you know well and respect simply reinforce your existing viewpoints and biases. A real Prophet is willing to look foolish if necessary and give up "respectability" and even their lives in order to speak truth to power. Prophets are also not perfect, a category that would also exclude Jonah, who is in fact, beyond reluctant and has to be virtually forced by God to do his job. Prophets have human failings, sometimes glaring ones.
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I often don't understand why Friends continue to recite tired old canards about "the Hebrews" that were originally said in anger when early Christianity was separating from Judaism, when in doing so they disparage the roots of Christianity. The Light was always available, it didn't suddenly become available with Jesus' entry into historical time. The Light that George Fox experienced was the same Light the Hebrew Prophets experienced and taught them renewal; to live beyond and question narrow interpretations of "the Law" just as it did for Fox and others. It taught them to pursue Justice and seek Peace as it still does today.
I often don't understand why Friends continue to recite tired old canards about "the Hebrews" that were originally said in anger when early Christianity was separating from Judaism, when in doing so they disparage the roots of Christianity. The Light was always available, it didn't suddenly become available with Jesus' entry into historical time. The Light that George Fox experienced was the same Light the Hebrew Prophets experienced and taught them renewal; to live beyond and question narrow interpretations of "the Law" just as it did for Fox and others. It taught them to pursue Justice and seek Peace as it still does today.
FROM A COMMENT TO A BLOG BY DANNY COLEMAN (WHOSE
ORIGINAL BLOG ENTRY IS DEFICIT AND NOT WHOLLY BIBLICAL, BUT WHO RECOGNIZED THE
VALUE OF THIS COMMENT)
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