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

[ReformationFan]

“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?”

Not the Calvinist church I’m a member of-Presbyterian Church in America(PCA). I don’t think you’d see such behavior in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church(OPC), Evangelical Presbyterian Church(EPC) the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church(ARP) or the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America(RPCNA) either.

[free_life]

Jesus said, “you did not choose me, I chose you” John 15

[AnalogReigns]

EVERY major family of Churches has apostates “ordaining gays, supporting abortion and boycotts against Israel, especially in Europe and America.” Including charismatics...

In fact, the ordination of homosexuals in (liberal/apostate) denominations is often done (falsely) invoking (gag!) a “new move of the Holy Spirit,” so its very unfair to single out Calvinists. Mainline Presbyterianism rejected actual Calvinism a couple generations ago anyway...., and they actively persecute those congregations and pastors who do not go along with their sexually perverted apostasy....

The author also very oddly refers to “LUCK” several times...as if there’s a random, outside of God, force that affects people.

There are very good reasons why non-charismatic Christians are suspicious of charismatic Christians, as they often do seem superstitious and just (frankly) flakey.

[armydoc]

God doesn’t pick and choose who is saved

Scripture does not depict a God in Heaven wringing His hands, hoping you will choose Him. Not hardly.

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of The Lord shall be saved”. Romans 10:13

The question, then, is "who calls on the name of the Lord?" Acts 13:48 tells us quite directly: "As many as were ordained unto eternal life, believed." Only those ordained unto eternal life believe.

[kingpins10]

In John 15, Christ is speaking to the disciples before sending them out. He was not speaking to all believers.

[kingpins10]

You misinterpreted Acts 13:48. Christians, once saved, are ordained to good works and to witness and to eternal life.

God knows who will be saved, but he does not choose. His eternal purpose is to have a people that are faithful without being chosen. He already has the angels that were created with the full awareness of His existence. If that were all He wanted, there would be no reason for human creation.

[kingpins10]

“Actually, if we had free will we would not need the Cross. I would be able to choose not to sin, and them have eternal life on my own account, not that of Jesus.”

The ability to sin is proof of free will. You already have the free will to choose to sin or not to sin and also to choose to believe in Christ or not. But living a sinless life is impossible. If there was no free will, as you claim, humans would essentially be robots.

In fact, you’re claiming that we don’t have free will proves that we do.

[Gamecock]

***The ability to sin is proof of free will. ...But living a sinless life is impossible.***

Make self-refuting arguments much?

[armydoc]

You misinterpreted Acts 13:48. Christians, once saved, are ordained to good works and to witness and to eternal life.

No, the context is clearly evangelism of non-believers and not discipleship of believers. "Belief" in the context of the passage can in no way be substituted with "good works" or "witness" as you assert.

God knows who will be saved, but he does not choose.

If that were true, it would be tragic since no one would choose God had God not chosen them first. Scripture is clear in that regard

His eternal purpose is to have a people that are faithful without being chosen.

No, His eternal purpose is His own glorification. One of the ways He accomplishes that is exercising His sovereignty in salvation. It is human (sinful) nature and human pride that rebels against the idea that we do not have ultimate control of our salvation.

[xzins]

Frankly, what Sproul means by “true prophecy” has never been in great supply. After all, the Bible isn’t really that big a book, and the true prophets are therein.

However, I don’t believe in cessationism either. I think God will do what God wants to do.

“1 Samuel 19: 19 Word came to Saul: “David is in Naioth at Ramah”; 20 so he sent men to capture him. But when they saw a group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came upon Saul’s men and they also prophesied. 21 Saul was told about it, and he sent more men, and they prophesied too. Saul sent men a third time, and they also prophesied. 22 Finally, he himself left for Ramah and went to the great cistern at Secu. And he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” “Over in Naioth at Ramah,” they said. 23 So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even upon him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth. 24 He stripped off his robes and also prophesied in Samuel’s presence. He lay that way all that day and night. This is why people say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”

[kingpins10]

It’s not self refuting at all.

We are not FORCED to sin. We CHOOSE to sin.

[kingpins10]

“No, His eternal purpose is His own glorification. One of the ways He accomplishes that is exercising His sovereignty in salvation. It is human (sinful) nature and human pride that rebels against the idea that we do not have ultimate control of our salvation.”

Your belief is Calvinistic and incorrect. Calvinism appeals to human pride in the belief that God picks and chooses who is saved, which is a lie. Unfortunately, this belief is pervasive in many “modern” churches due to John Calvin’s heretical beliefs which give excuses to those who do not witness for Christ.

God’s eternal purpose is much more than his own glorification. Read Revelation chapter 21 verse 6-8 “It is done”. God is proclaiming he now has his people that are faithful and have chosen him over the world.

[Lakeshark]

Dude's wrong:

Now that's prophetic.....:-)

[armydoc]

Calvinism appeals to human pride in the belief that God picks and chooses who is saved, which is a lie.

Properly understood, how could Calvinism produce pride, since it acknowledges that the saved had nothing to do with their salvation? That God chose to save based only on His sovereign purposes? That the saved can claim no merit, no wisdom, no forsight? That God chose despite the profound sinfulness and rebellion of the saved? That produces humility, not pride.

There certainly is a basis for pride in Arminianism, however. If ultimately your salvation is your choice, then you can rightly be proud of your "correct choice". Congratulations for your spiritual wisdom in choosing God! I guess the guy next to you who rejected God just didn't have something that you did. Well done!

Unfortunately, this belief is pervasive in many “modern” churches due to John Calvin’s heretical beliefs which give excuses to those who do not witness for Christ.

History proves you wrong. Calvinists have been among the most zealous and effective missionaries. Calvinists know that while God decreed who will be saved, He also decreed that earthly means be used to apply this decree. Those means, of course, are witnessing, preaching, etc. We also acknowledge that we are not privy to God's decree of election- we don't know who is of the elect so we witness to everybody and let the Spirit work accordingly.

[MEGoody]

I would have to disagree with Sproul that there is no gift of prophecy today. Prophets didn't just predict the future. They admonished God's people to come back to the straight path.

That doesn't mean, of course, that everyone who claims to be a prophet is one.