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

[SoFloFreeper]

Instead of letting someone else speak for RC Sproul, how about a link to the man's explanation himself?

Does R.C. Sproul Believe in Miracles?

His explanation seems to comport with classical Christian belief.

I can say that after reading some accounts of the church growing in places like China and Africa, there seem to be stories akin to the first chapters of the book of Acts; people speaking in tongues, miraculous healings, etc.....I think these accounts, if accurate, reflect God working in a geographic place that has been "dormant" for centuries--as He did in the early days of the church when The Way was just beginning.

[Dogbert41]

Ive had a few prophetic dreams in my life. You know them when you have them. But they weren’t for the world, big historical events. Instead they were at important turning points in my life, dealing with relationships with other people, or the salvation of one I really cared about.

Lately, it’s sort of just reading the Bible and turning on the tv.

[Gamecock]

**He didn’t try to save any Pharisees except maybe for Nicodemus types.**

Paul.

[SoFloFreeper]

I don’t think that verse proves what you think it proves.

[Gamecock]

God showed his grace to Ninevah, just like he showed it to our parents in the garden.

[what's up]

Yes, Sproul is a cessationist in that he believes that miracles like raising people from the dead, etc. happen no more.

However, the nice thing about RC Sproul is that he often admits he is not right about everything and is open to having his mind changed by God.

EX: I remember reading that he once did not believe in a literal 7 day creation but he said his mind is now changing on that.

[Gamecock]

**Revelation 22:17 is clear that Calvin was wrong.**

Hardly.

Those who have hearts of stone don’t know they are thirsty. Why would they want to get a drink?

‘Tis only after they have been regenerated do they think “Wow! Water of life?!? Give me the x-tra large one please!”

[Migraine]

I find this thread interesting. I think prophecy today is mostly about our gracious Lord, finding people who have presented their themselves to God, and who, by reason of use have exercised their skills in sensing the leadings of God, via scripture and intense, yielded prayer — and have obtained insights into scripture. These can be kept and pondered in the heart, like Mary did, or reserved for future reference in one’s own life, or in the life of one’s family, or congregation.
God comes to us from His unique dimension with His higher ways and thoughts. These are very beneficial, as they give to us the special boldness, access and confidence we need in order to speak and act with the assurance of the existence of those higher thoughts and ways.
The ink and paper of scripture constitute one aspect of God’s gift to us; but it is the Spirit disclosing to us what the words mean, specifically, for us, in our present weaknesses and dilemmas, that really open the New Testament doors into what is prophetic and what isn’t.

As to Jonah, I think God included that historical account mainly to show us what kind of foul ball, or incomplete pass, a prophet can become when his heart is not in the right place, or who has ulterior motives and is not fully yielded. The same can be said of Samson or King Saul. They are examples of how NOT to use the gifts and callings of the Lord. Lastly, Jonah is a lot like the elder son in the illustrative account Jesus told on the Prodigal Son. There is yet another example of missing God’s best by missing the point.

[Dutchboy88]

"SeekAndFind made IMO an excellent post on the first version of this thread (and again here) regarding the Biblical test of true prophecy. In short, any alleged post-apostolic prophet needs a verifiable 1.000 batting average in regards to predictions AND Christology, or he's a false prophet. Can anyone cough up such an individual to demonstrate why Sproul's experience is wrong?:

With all due respect, that is not the point. If a prophet arose with 1.000 average, even Sproul would say, "This is a prophet." To date, I believe Sproul would currently say, no one has made the cut. I fully agree. But, tomorrow? Are we prepared to say, "God could not send a prophet!"

Notice, the great majority of this article was primarily about the legitimacy of prophecy being just as reasonable as the legitimacy of Calvinism. But, Calvinism has such a wide spectrum of adherents (Sam Storms charismatic, RC Sprould non-charismatic) that we cannot draw any conclusions about prophecy based on various Calvinists. Frankly, a lot of folks calling themselves Calvinists have no idea what that means.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: As to Jonah, I think God included that historical account mainly to show us what kind of foul ball, or incomplete pass, a prophet can become when his heart is not in the right place, or who has ulterior motives and is not fully yielded. The same can be said of Samson or King Saul. They are examples of how NOT to use the gifts and callings of the Lord. Lastly, Jonah is a lot like the elder son in the illustrative account Jesus told on the Prodigal Son. There is yet another example of missing God’s best by missing the point.

______________________

NOTE TO SELF: This is a good thing to include for the kids in my next Sunday School class...

[the_Watchman]

In my class on spiritual gifts I have a bullet item to make the point: “Do not confuse the conferring of spiritual gifts with maturity”.

This applies to ourselves as well as gifts seen in others. My example? Sampson

[Migraine]

I am touched by that. Keep up the good fight.

[the_Watchman]

I think these accounts, if accurate, reflect God working in a geographic place that has been "dormant" for centuries--as He did in the early days of the church when The Way was just beginning.

This is a view held by "concentric cessationists".

Here are good links to both charismatic and cessationist viewpoints and many flavors of each:

http://www.monergism.com/directory/link_category/Spiritual-Gifts/

[metmom]

Just because there is much so called prophecy out there that doesn’t come to pass, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t or can’t happen.

The bigger problem is people looking for sensationalism, either to have *words* spoken over them or more prideful, seeking the gift so they can speak over others.

My take on the matter is to live a life so that should God decide to use me to give a word to someone, He can use me to be that conduit. And that means dying to self, which I don’t see happening in all the people who chase after the gifts or manifestations.

[kingpins10]

Your post was funny, but it didnt counter Revelation 22:17 and it doesn’t counter Mark 8:34 or Romans 10:13.

God gave us all free will. Those who choose to be saved have made a choice, just as those who choose not.

If God had already chosen who is saved and who is not, there would’ve been absolutely NO reason for Christ to die on the cross.

[kingpins10]

There’s many others. Romans 10:13 , Mark 8:34 .

Those are just a few off the top of my head.

[sasportas]

Amazing, 38 posts about Sproul and prophecy, and not a word said about him being a Preterist. Sproul believes all prophecy was fulfilled in 70 AD. Makes no difference, whether Bible prophecy or from individuals who claim the spiritual gift of prophecy, its all false to him.

[Gamecock]

Your post was funny, but it didnt counter Revelation 22:17 and it doesn’t counter Mark 8:34 or Romans 10:13.

Sure it does.

God gave us all free will. Those who choose to be saved have made a choice, just as those who choose not.

We will always choose death. It is not until we are given a heart of flesh that we can respond in flesh. (BTW, free will is mentioned one time in Scripture, and not in the context of salvation.)

If God had already chosen who is saved and who is not, there would’ve been absolutely NO reason for Christ to die on the cross.

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.