Is NT Prophecy Fallible? Post Discussion Thoughts On Michael Brown (youtube.com)
Re: Caleb Corneloup's (iThinkBiblically) discussion with Dr Michael Brown streamed on the 21st of February and post-discussion thoughts streamed on the 24th of February. The discussion focused on the gift of prophecy and the danger of false prophecy.
Some viewers commented that Corneloup should not have debated Brown due to concerns that he has given him a platform or that he has compromised. I do not think that Corneloup has compromised, but Brown is not someone I would ever dialogue with. In my view, he is an extremely dangerous false teacher, a guileful twister of the scriptures, and a person to mark and avoid. (Romans 16:17). Brown wants to be friends with everyone and he supports the worst of the charismatic NAR false teachers. The danger this man poses to young or immature Christians is inestimable and I would not encourage anyone to listen to him.
Corneloup made the comparison between false prophecy, homosexuality, and adultery, all of which carried the death penalty in the Old Testament. (Deuteronomy 13:5,18:20). False prophecy is utterly condemned in the scriptures and is described as detestable, idolatry. abomination, false visions, lying divinations, delusions of their own minds, destructive heresies etc. The scriptures denounce false prophets as teaching rebellion against the Lord.. by their own authority. (Jeremiah 5:31,14:14 Ezekiel 22:28; Lamentations 2:14; 2 Peter 2:1). False prophets fill people with vain hopes and lead God's people astray. (Jeremiah 23:16; Ezekiel 13:9; Zechariah 10:2). The consequences for false prophets and those who listen to them are grave. (Jeremiah 27:15; Matthew 7:19-23; Revelation 21:8).
Corneloup evaluates Brown's discernment as "off" but surprisingly he thinks that he is a "brother". A bible teacher who is "off" on such a critical issue as prophecy does not rightly handle the word of truth, a critical qualification for bible teachers! (2 Timothy 2:15; James 3:1). If Brown is a believer, he should have realized many years ago that his NAR friends are false prophets, that he himself is a false prophet, and that he is a stumbling block and a bad influence on the church. No amount of obfuscation can excuse his behaviour.
Debunking Brown's "inner ear" eisegesis
The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. I offered My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spittle.(Isaiah 50:5-6).
Brown eisegetes verse 5 to apply to modern-day false prophets who claim to hear God through an "inner voice". This passage does not refer to the alleged "inner ear" of modern-day prophets. The context of Isaiah 50:5 concerns the Servant of the Lord, the Messiah. This is the third of the "Servant Songs" (Isaiah 42:1-9,49:1-12,50:4-9,52-53). The passage continues with the prophecy of Jesus' crucifixion fulfilled in Matthew 26:67,27:26; John 19:1.This verse refers to Jesus' voice at the time of His preaching, and subsequently the preaching of the gospel. There is overwhelming evidence that modern-day false prophets deviate from the gospel and that their prophecies are unreliable. The antithesis to this verse is John 10:8, the hierarchical, especially Pharisaical, antagonists of Christ. Interestingly Jesus says to the false prophets I never knew you.. (Matthew 7:23). John 10:27 does not support extra-biblical "inner ear" revelations.
Pulpit Commentary: "St. Paul is not encouraging the Corinthians to the consoriousness of conceited and incompetent criticism, but only putting them on their guard against implicit acceptance of all they hear; which was a very necessary caution at a place where so many teachers sprang up."
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