Where Are the Prophets?
I’ve been wondering lately, where are the prophets? Are there any real prophets cut from the same cloth of an Elijah who confounded the evil King Ahab or a John the Baptist who called out the sins of Herod? Are there any among the fundamentally conservative or the progressively liberal wings of Christianity who are willing to break political ranks and speak truth to power?
Solutions to complex issues like war, poverty, healthcare and environmental deterioration will require greater vision than what is currently possessed by those in power and those seeking to replace them. Our nation stands in great need of the truly prophetic.
The populace of American Christianity is generally polarized along the same fault lines as the two political parties who seek to gain the blessing and endorsement of the faithful. Tepid partisan clergy ranging from conservative to liberal on the theological spectrum has generally displaced the prophetic mantle in the public forums of our time.
Much of the upper tier conservative clerics still offer their carte blanche blessings to a political party and president whose values and policies have grossly distorted the Christian image to the rest of the world. The progressive wing of Christianity offers a similar endorsement of the entire platform of the other party. Where is the prophet like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who fearlessly advocated against war and for social justice in the face of both Republican and Democratic leaders and the Church?
I have a question for those recognized as prophets by the theological left and right. Are there points on the platform of your chosen political party that falls short of mercy and justice? If so, then please show some genuine prophetic authenticity and offer divine public correction to these issues. You could help change the errant course we travel as a nation. Our national leaders on the left and right apparently possess no map and have lost their compass. They desperately need prophetic help in the realms of vision and accountability. They do not need your blanket endorsements.
Many conservative and liberal clerics alike have become nothing more than pathetic lap dogs for the two political parties and the special interests they represent. Citizens entering voting booths must make their choices based on their individual conscience, but how can true prophets publicly endorse a single political party when both are corrupt?
Shouldn’t the prophetic office serve as a watchdog of the Church and the State? Prophets point out injustice and speak uncomfortable truth to those in authority regardless of their political party or church affiliation. Their function in society is not bound solely by the parameters of religion. Their authority to rebuke and bring correction historically extends into every social dimension where justice is lacking and mercy is needed.
Where is there a clear prophetic voice rising from the American societal landscape today? Where is the group or individual who dares to expose the injustice committed in our name by our government regardless of who is in power? Why do the preachers of the left and right only rebuke those leaders of the opposite party and never their own? Where is the prophet who is bold enough to confront the harlotry of the Church as she runs recklessly into the seductive arms of corrupt and conscienceless political suitors?
It is a terrible and costly compromise when preachers and prophets offer their endorsement of any party or candidate who is not willing to work legislatively for mercy and justice on every front. It is an even greater compromise when they dare not speak needed confrontational truth to those whom they have endorsed. The fear of losing their privileged place at the trough with the other lobbyists tragically enforces their silence.
Much study and editorializing has been done regarding the influence of fundamental Christianity in the outcome of the 2002 and 2004 elections. Although conservative Christian voters seemed pivotal in the elections, their actual impact in public policy was minimal. Four years of total Republican control of the White House and Congress delivered little that represents the values and concerns of the conservative Christians who endorsed them. Two Supreme Court appointments are the only real solace for the believers who supported this president and his subservient Congress.
Much work is being done among progressive Christians to counter that electoral influence. The 2006 elections show the pendulum of political control is swinging away from Republicans and continues to favor the Democrats in 2008. Will moderate and more liberal Church leaders be willing to speak truth to power when they are the ones being allowed through the turnstiles of the White House and the Congress?
The current influence of the polarized Church is apparently no greater than any other minor special interest group finding identity and nominal representation in the political parties of today. It will always be so as long as the church world allows itself to be exploited and fragmented by the strategists of the two political parties.
A united Church could actually become a powerful purveyor of good in the realm of public policy. This could happen if the conservative and the progressive wings decided to coalesce around a broader spectrum of justice related issues. They could collectively influence both parties to design public policy more reflective of judicious mercy. Is such a thing possible?
God help us. Where are the prophets?
- Gary Vance's blog
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Prophets
Does any one consider how many people would think you absolutely CRAZY if you said you've been in contact with God????? If there are any prophets/seers reading this please contact me lordrussel@gmail.com
Prophets or Profits?
Eric, what is your definition of a prophet? I know many people who stay in contact with God...and some might be a little crazy around the edges...some might be prophets. Jesus was considered by some to be a demon possessed sorcerer and His disciples were called drunks at Pentecost.
True prophets are giving themselves and their gifts away every day in the Kingdom of Heaven...non-profit prophets...who by divine design, speak for the Lord. They don't often win popularity contests or have tv or radio exposure. The false prophets among us have tainted the holy image of the truly prophetic. The genuinely meek,humble and bold voices that speak divinely driven messages are generally over shadowed by self exalted mini-gods who proclaim a prosperity/rapture message while consigning anyone who questions them into the Lake of Fire (not one of the Great Lakes).
The genuine super natural workings of God are still happening today and are available for us all to experience. It requires getting out of our comfort zone and getting into the Spirit...the Holy Spirit.
Re: Where are the Prophets?
I think we do have prophets today, but I think that they have evolved with the time/era, so perhaps they just don't stand out as they did in biblical times. When I think of all the presidential candidates for 2008, and I look at their themes, basically, I see ONLY ONE that stresses a biblical theme - and that is John Edwards. He consistently talks about poverty, which is the #1 theme of the Bible, and he speaks of virtually nothing but social justice and ending war. I don't understand why more people don't see this, except that the media only has two democratic "darlings" - corporatist Hillary Clinton and inexperienced Barack Obama. The rest of the democratic candidates have all but been ignored. Well, I don't let the media influence my thinking or my decision-making, so I've been looking at all the candidates very closely. But maybe most people won't do that. I suspect that most people do rely on the mainstream media, i.e., hometown newspaper and one of the major TV stations - ABC, NBC, or CBS - for their news. Unfortunately, I think we can no longer rely on either to give us unbiased news geared more for its ratings shares than for providing unfiltered information to the public. You pretty much have to hit the internet for your news these days, I believe.
I'm not saying that Edwards is a prophet, necessarily, but I do think he is a prophetic voice rising up, trying to be heard, above the others. He's saying that "hey, it's poverty, folks, that we have to work on, because that's what's going to level the playing field and bring us together as a nation and as a society". And why isn't anyone listening?
Maybe God's voice, working through others, isn't always loud and theatrical. In fact, I think most of the time it is not, but I do think that's what we expect (thunder and lightening). Maybe I'm more of a deist at heart, but I don't think God interferes much in our daily lives. If that were the case, there wouldn't be much bad or evil events or people in the world. I think that "free will" thing gets in the way of that. But I do think God is that one, small, still voice that speaks to us, often through others and sometimes not, and it makes sense that in these days and times, God might very well speak through politicians.
He could be speaking through Dennis Kucinich, too. Who says there can only be one Prophet? And looking at the early prophets, they weren't always affiliated with "the church" or the religious leaders, for that matter. They weren't the rich, and they weren't always the most agreeable or the most popular. I think we probably have many prophets among us, we just aren't recognizing them or listening to them.
I think maybe we expect too much.
The lofty ideals of Martin Luther King were also echoed by Bobby Kennedy. These ideals continue to be echoed by John Edwards.
I do not see any hints of any of these lofty ideals on the GOP side at all. On the democratic side, I see only a few with these ideals. Hillary Clinton is NOT one of them. She will always choose the lobbyists and corporatists over the individual person, and therefore, she CANNOT be a prophet or possess true values of social justice. She will do what's "achievable", which means, she'll try to get the best deal she can broker, but she won't "fight for what's right" if it's not politically expedient. Barack Obama also fits into that category - he's a diplomat and a compromiser, and too inexperienced. I just don't sense any of the true idealism & reformism of Martin Luther King, Jr., in him, either. Why isn't he stressing poverty?
Joe Biden is too narcissistic to be competent. We already have one narcissist in the White House, and that hasn't worked out well.
Mike Gravel has some great ideas for an old guy, but I think the guy has anger management issues. But he does have some good ideas, I just don't see them as solving our social justice problems.
The same for Chris Dodd. Nice guy, I guess, but....no crusader.
Bill Richardson also has some great ideas, but again, there is no crusade.
There are only two crusaders in this bunch - John Edwards and Dennis Kucinich. John Edwards talks about poverty and social justice; Dennis Kucinich talks about love and treating people the way you want to be treated. Maybe we should all be praying for an Edwards/Kucinich ticket.... Because if that doesn't sound prophetic, that if we CHOSE this, it could happen.... I don't know what does.
I think that when you talk about recognizing prophets, you have to talk about their vision. If Martin Luther King, Jr. had a vision of equality, and that included not just racial equality, but social and economic equality. Bobby Kennedy had a similar vision. Even Lyndon Johnson had a vision! So, ask yourself, where are the people that have a vision that fits with the Word of God? And there's where you'll find your prophets, regardless of what else you call them.
We, as a society, have to make a choice. We can live in fear, pandering to fear, willing to let avaricious and greedy people, definitely not prophets nor those that care for social or any other kind of justice, but those that care mostly for favorable and profitable trade laws, rule over us. Or we can decide, as a society, that public immorality is not what we are about. That we espouse values of fairness, equality, altruism, and concern for the well-being of everyone on this planet, not just a chosen few. We have to decide if we believe more in the concept of ministering to the poor by advocating legislation that helps those that truly want to help themselves, that gives the poor a break, so to speak, and offers them a hand up the ladder. We must decide if we want to be a punitive society or a rehabilitative one. Are we going to be selfish, which some label individualistic, or are we going to be giving and kind, which is what the God of most religions enourages followers to be? How do we want to live? In fear and trepidation? Or in peace and safety? I think America, in particular, is truly at a crossroads. We really have to evaluate where we've been, and where we want to go, and how we want to be on the journey.
So, again, when I think of where today's prophets are hiding, I look to the visions of men and women. And they can be found everywhere, from inside the pages of a book to an internet overseas news site (which, ironically, may be the place to go if you really want the lowdown on what's going on in America today!). But only those visions that are compatible with the Bible, or the positive principles of the universe, or however you want to think of it, are the ones that I think may be sent from God.
That's just my 2 cents.
Resurrecting where are the prophets?
Patriot Gal wrote:
"So, again, when I think of where today's prophets are hiding, I look to the visions of men and women. And they can be found everywhere, from inside the pages of a book to an internet overseas news site (which, ironically, may be the place to go if you really want the lowdown on what's going on in America today!). But only those visions that are compatible with the Bible, or the positive principles of the universe, or however you want to think of it, are the ones that I think may be sent from God."
I totally agree.
Prophets are always laughed at, demonized or ignored in their lifetime, for they speak about what the people do not want to look at.
Prophets do NOT predict the future-as much as they point out impending doom and provoke us to remember God.
The 21st century Jeremiah, Mordechai Vanunu, a secular Jew who was baptized a Christian in 1987, just weeks before being kidnapped by the Mossad, pointed the way to the danger of the secret weapons of mass destruction program underground in the Negev desert, which have yet to receive an International Inspection.
The Hebrew prophet Jeremiah spent much of his life under house arrest in Jerusalem, for being a truth teller.
We know more about the personal life and struggles of Jeremiah than any other Hebrew prophet. Jeremiah, which translates as “The Lord throws”-as in hurling, had few friends and is considered primarily a prophet of doom.
Jeremiah was intensely introspective, self-critical and timid by nature but honest and open about his feelings towards God.
Jeremiah never married and began prophesying in Judah from 604-586, a time of “storm and stress when the doom of entire nations-including Judah itself-was being sealed... [For Judah was only a] pawn in the power plays of imperial giants… [Jeremiah was] once the king’s friend and confident, but the prophet soon entered a dreary round of persecution and imprisonment, alternating with only brief periods of freedom, and lived under virtual house arrest.
Jeremiah was also labeled a traitor by many for speaking truth to power, “I cannot keep silent…Disaster follows disaster; the land lies in ruins…My people are fools; they do not know me.”-Jeremiah 4:19, 20
Israel’s policy of nuclear ambiguity have allowed Vanunu to be jailed for 18 years and imprisoned in Jerusalem since April 21, 2004.
He now faces 6 more months in jail for speaking to foreign media in 2004.
Israel has never admitted to having nukes and has not signed the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty.
But, that did not stop Israel from locking up Vanunu for 18 years and holding him under house arrest ever since, claiming he is a security risk.
How Orwellian that the Israeli government worries Vanunu still has a secret that can harm them, but ignores the risk to the public health caused by the Dimona, a leaking dinosaur of a nuclear plant.
To talk about Iraq or Iran and neglect the very root of the conflicts in the Middle East:
Which is Israel and USA's blind allegiance to their blatant disregard of international law and denial of basic human rights to millions just because they are Palestinian borders on delusion;
For everything is connected in the Mid East and all roads lead to Jerusalem .
At this most reflective time of the year, I pray that The Body of Christ will have ears to hear, eyes to see and hearts to bleed for their sisters and brothers in the Holy Land; which is in pieces: bantustans.
"The Israelis have this very beautiful article about freedom and liberty but they want to destroy anyone who criticizes them for revealing the truth to the world. The world must look and see what kind of democracy Israel is when one speaks out the truth. Israel is not a democracy unless you are a Jew."-Vanunu
The REST:
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article18866.htm
Eileen Fleming,
Reporter and Editor of
http://www.wearewideawake.org/
Author "KEEP HOPE ALIVE" and "Memoirs of a Nice Irish American 'Girl's' Life in Occupied Territory"
Producer of "30 Minutes with Vanunu"
Looking for prophets in the wrong place
It's good, Patriot Gal, to talk about the moral views of presidential candidates and evaluate them in terms of the prophetic standards of justice, kindness, and humility. But presidents are wielders of power and, as such, are appropriately among the major targets of prophetic criticism. It's dangerous to expect too much of poliitcal leaders. Even those with the kind of vision we envision can't be expected to play it straight all the time: power does corrupt. So I think Gary Vance is right in his critique.
Consider tonight's Democratic candidates debate. I listened to part of it but gave up after hearing everyone who was asked about Iran accept the premise that the possession of a nuclear bomb by Iran was an ultimate threat that couldn't be allowed. Although they all emphasized diplomacy, they all, including Edwards, appeared to treat the issue as a looming casus belli that wouldn't require Iran's imminent production of an actual bomb as a trigger for action. (I don't think Kucinich was asked.) That plays into the hands of those who want an attack on Iran. A prophet, on the other hand, would challenge that overly simple view of an Iranian threat and would point out our nation's nuclear hypocrisies -- and would call for us to turn from our own evil ways. Imagine how that would play in the media and how anyone who spoke that way would be classified by the right's attack machine as a ridiculous, naive kook. And then those in the "middle" would flee from the prophet in great fear of contamination and of losing credibility -- and electability.
Despite the great number of prophetic voices that do exist now, one feature of the prophetic tradition that's missing is the access to the ears of the powerful and to the main body of the society. Nathan talked directly to David. Who, besides flatterers, can get the ear of Bush? We have our progressive media but it's still rather a niche market. I call it a market because that's how things are segmented in our current system. Instead of making a Jeremiah flee for his life, our prophets are neutralized by being trivialized and relegated to media marginality.
(Perhaps Keith Olbermann on MSNBC, as a secular prophet, is an exception. His occasional "J'accuse" rants have much of the requisite fervor and moral center of a prophet -- and while MSNBC isn't really Big Media, it's competitive with Fox's Bill O'Reilly.)
So that suggest the conclusion that the problem isn't the lack of prophetic voices. It's the media. The false prophets have done a better job of building their institutions, their message, and their media. We have a lot of catching up to do. But I doubt if the institutional church is going to speak with a unified prophetic voice. It's up to us to become the prophets.
Your 2 cents is great + do you know about TIKKUN?
I encourage you to pick up the Sept/Oct 2007 issue-
Under RETHINKING RELIGION
"The Spirituality of Messianic American Leadership" by G.I. Bond hits the nail on the head that Obama is about the "audacity of optimism" and NOT the audacity of hope!
Catholic theologian Richard Rohr's "ON THE EDGE of the INSIDE: The Prophetic Position"
Underscores how prophets, such as Dorothy Day are both inside and outside of their faith path and that is what makes them the ultimate threat, ultimate reformer and ultimate invitation.
Eileen Fleming,
Reporter and Editor of
http://www.wearewideawake.org/
Author "KEEP HOPE ALIVE" and "Memoirs of a Nice Irish American 'Girl's' Life in Occupied Territory"
I heard a prophet speak...
several weeks ago at a Sabeel Conference. Sabeel is a Palestinian non-violent action center in Jerusalem. This prophet's name was Jean Zaru. Check her out.
Can It Happen Here?
Dearest Janinsanfran! It is HAPPENING!!!!
It is HAPPENING!!!
Friends of Sabeel-New England presents . . .
“The Apartheid Paradigm in Palestine-Israel:
Issues of Justice and Equality”
October 26 – 27, 2007
Old South Church, 645 Boylston St., Boston
Friday—2:30 PM—10:00 PM
Saturday—8:00 AM—4:30 PM
Keynote Address: Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Panelists:
Naim Ateek * Anat Biletzki * Diana Buttu * Noam Chomsky
John Dugard * Farid Esack * Noura Erekat * Jeff Halper
Donald Wagner * David Wildman
Other Participants:
Phyllis Bennis * Joan M. Martin * Nancy Murray
Archbishop Michael Peers * Bishop Thomas Shaw * Chuck Turner
Download Conference Brochure (pdf)
Speakers/Bios:
http://www.fosna.org/BostonConferenceOct2007.htm
Eileen Fleming,
Reporter and Editor of
http://www.wearewideawake.org/
Author "KEEP HOPE ALIVE" and "Memoirs of a Nice Irish American 'Girl's' Life in Occupied Territory"
Post event in the calendar
all registered users can post events in the event calendar. feel free to post this event in the calendar by going to create content - > event. Put date and information in and it will show up in October.
another lament
Here's a lament similar in tone and content from another person i deeply respect and admire:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-laarman/its-labor-day-why-am-i-_b_62...
What Rev Peter the 'lamenter' said
"Please someone: tell me that I'm just stewing in my own cynical juices. Point out to me the next Sam Gompers or Mother Jones or Gene Debs who has both the guts and the chops to get a real national conversation going. I'm waiting."-Rev. Peter Laarman
I am waiting too for 'progressive' Christians to progress and "get a real national conversation going" regarding the issues of JUSTICE, HUMAN RIGHTS, INTERNATIONAL LAW for the poor and oppressed people of Palestine who are enduring under an apartheid regime aided and abetted by American Tax Dollars:
“The Apartheid Paradigm in Palestine-Israel:
Issues of Justice and Equality”
October 26 – 27, 2007
Old South Church, 645 Boylston St., Boston
Friday—2:30 PM—10:00 PM
Saturday—8:00 AM—4:30 PM
Keynote Address: Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Panelists:
Naim Ateek * Anat Biletzki * Diana Buttu * Noam Chomsky
John Dugard * Farid Esack * Noura Erekat * Jeff Halper
Donald Wagner * David Wildman
Other Participants:
Phyllis Bennis * Joan M. Martin * Nancy Murray
Archbishop Michael Peers * Bishop Thomas Shaw * Chuck Turner
http://www.fosna.org/BostonConferenceOct2007.htm
Contact Us
Local Message Phone (Boston): 617-491-0700
Registration by phone w/credit card (Oregon, main office) 503-653-6625
Conference Email: sabeelconference@yahoo.com
Main FOSNA Office Email: friends@fosna.org
Eileen Fleming,
Reporter and Editor of
http://www.wearewideawake.org/
Author "KEEP HOPE ALIVE" and "Memoirs of a Nice Irish American 'Girl's' Life in Occupied Territory"
Gary Wrote:
"Shouldn’t the prophetic office serve as a watchdog of the Church and the State? Prophets point out injustice and speak uncomfortable truth..Their authority to rebuke and bring correction historically extends into every social dimension where justice is lacking and mercy is needed...Where is the group or individual who dares to expose the injustice committed in our name by our government regardless of who is in power?"
Prophets are never esteemed by their own because the uncomfortable truth agitates the comfortable.
Prophets share hope, anger and courage:
"HOPE has two children. The first is ANGER at the way things are. The second is COURAGE to DO SOMETHING about it."-St. Augustine
Prophets get use to being ignored by their own, and perhaps that is one good reason Jesus said: "GO OUT and make disciples" for disciples DO what the Master taught which remains:
You must forgive to be forgiven, you must love and do good towards your enemy.
Jesus NEVER said it was OK to bomb, torture or occupy another!
FOSNA: Friends of Sabeel North America is among the global community of prophetic voices united by Sabeel [Arabic for THE WAY] international peace movement initiated by Palestinian Christians in the Holy Land who seek a just peace based on two states-Palestine and Israel-as defined by international law and existing United Nations resolutions.
http://www.fosna.org/
Bishop Tutu will be keynote speaker at this October's Boston Conference.
Bishop Tutu received the Nobel Prize in 1984, for his courageous and fearless opposition against the South African apartheid system.
"What does God require? He has told you o'man!
Be just, be merciful, and walk humbly with your Lord." -Micah 6:8
Eileen Fleming,
Reporter and Editor of
http://www.wearewideawake.org/
Author "KEEP HOPE ALIVE" and "Memoirs of a Nice Irish American 'Girl's' Life in Occupied Territory"
Where are the Liberals?
I think there have been prophetic voices in progressive causes. I have been so disappointed by the Democrats for so long that I registered Green. Do they require a prophetic witness? Around the issue of abortion most definitely, but other than that I don't really have any complaints. So I will raise my voice for the idealism that prophets seek, regardless of what expedient party politics dictates. There is no need to always vote for the lesser of two evils and to continue divisive polarity within the nation. Prophets can and should call for the ideal that has yet to emerge. In that respect, yes prophets seem to be sorely lacking.
Still, not every liberal clergy is lock-step with the Democrats. Perhaps we really need some faith that the liberal/progressive agenda may once again find support. In the mean time I will welcome any voice that calls for care for the least among us and an end to our warring madness. And yes, those voices are out there and some of us are listening.
Perhaps you are a prophet Gary
Gary,
I continue to be impressed, indeed awed, with the care and attention to your relationship with the Lord. As one mutual friend noticed, "that brother is closer to God than anyone i know." It has been clear to me that you are one of those prophetic voices that the nation and the world so desperately needs.
I have also wondered myself, where are these voices today that were so present in our past? Prophetic voices from past ages seem to call out to us yet today, but where are prophets of our age? Instead of being spurred to idealism that transcends political party, we are victimized by the cynicism of the 24 hour news cycle. The personal misconduct of our leaders is more interesting than dealing with high aspirations and the epochal challenges facing the globe that you reference: environmental destruction, peace, and global poverty. I'm not excusing personal misconduct, indeed the hypocrisy of the various crimes from family values politicians has important political ramifications, but if we spent just as much time on the major issues of our day, we could begin to engage each other in the type of meaningful dialogue that will alter our errant course.
Perhaps in this modern age we will not have great prophets of old. Perhaps in this age we are the leaders we've been waiting for. The average person, through speaking out, through service to his or her fellows, through engaging others in dialogue will provide the engine of change for what we are all looking for. This is not entirely unique to our age. Without millions of folks, largely church women and children, marching and often dying, Martin Luther King Jr. would not have had the platform to speak. Perhaps we start today and the prophets arise from the movement.
I'm reminded by Robert Kennedy's speech to students in South Africa and the US during times of great upheaval: “Each time a man stands for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”
Where are the prophets? I think we're looking at them. We must be those prophets.
The prophets are still speaking; just as usual they are ignored!
Just this week, I wrote 3 articles on prophets, and since you asked, I will crosspost them on Crossleft!
A few other prophets I have written about are Rev. Naim Ateek, Anglican in Jerusalem and a 1948 refugee who founded SABEEL; meaning THE WAY, liberation theology movement that promotes nonviolence against the 40 yr. occupation of Palestine.
And the 21st century Jeremiah; Mordecahi Vanunu
Vanunu’s historic freedom of speech trial began on January 25, 2006, masterfully obfuscated by the Palestinian elections on the same day, and only three reporters attended. The testimonies against him were the interviews he gave in 2004, but the media has been missing in action.
THAT is, except for me! I am streaming 2005, 2006 video interviews with Vanunu on WAWA:
http://www.wearewideawake.org/
On July 2, 2007, Vanunu was sentenced to 6 months in jail by the 'democracy' of Israel for opening his mouth in Jerusalem!
The ancient prophets were always ignored in their lifetime, and I once wrote an Op-ed that stated that Vanunu was also a prophet. When he read the piece, he emailed me and in bold letters wrote: “DON’T CALL ME THAT!”
I won’t to his face, but in the spirit of freedom of speech, I cannot help myself. Prophets do NOT predict the future-as much as they point out impending doom. Vanunu pointed the way to the weapons of mass destruction program underground in the Negev desert, and they have yet to receive an International Inspection.
The Hebrew prophet Jeremiah also spent much of his life under house arrest in Jerusalem, for being a truth teller. We know more about the personal life and struggles of Jeremiah than any other Hebrew prophet. Jeremiah, which translates as “The Lord throws”-as in hurling, had few friends and is considered primarily a prophet of doom.
Jeremiah was intensely introspective, self-critical and timid by nature but honest and open about his feelings towards God. Jeremiah never married and began prophesying in Judah from 604-586, a time of “storm and stress when the doom of entire nations-including Judah itself-was being sealed... [For Judah was only a] pawn in the power plays of imperial giants… [Jeremiah was] once the king’s friend and confident, but the prophet soon entered a dreary round of persecution and imprisonment, alternating with only brief periods of freedom, and lived under virtual house arrest.
Jeremiah was also labeled a traitor by many for speaking truth to power, “I cannot keep silent…Disaster follows disaster; the land lies in ruins…My people are fools; they do not know me.”-Jeremiah 4:19, 20
Eileen Fleming,
Reporter and Editor of
http://www.wearewideawake.org/
Author "KEEP HOPE ALIVE" and "Memoirs of a Nice Irish American 'Girl's' Life in Occupied Territory"