Prophecy The Books

Rufus Burrow, Jr. is a professor of Christian ethics at my seminary. In his courses, as in this book, Burrow tries to impress upon others the importance of ethical prophecy, which he defines as having several elements: God's establishment of the universe on a moral foundation, God's motivation by love, God's expectation of justice and resistance to oppression - many of the themes that are constant in the so-called minor prophets of the Hebrew scripture. Micah's statement about `what does the Lord require' is a good summary in scripture of this kind of prophetic word; Burrow cautions that this is not works righteousness, but drawing from Bonhoeffer (a Lutheran who was naturally concerned about issues of works righteousness versus justification by grace) develops the idea of `righteous works'. Burrow explains the need for social prophets in terms of a universal call - while not all are called to be prophetic in the same way, certainly all are called to be prophetic in the face of injustice and degradation of other human beings.

David Walker, the primary subject of Burrow's text, is a witness to the gospel, a prophet in the tradition of the eighth century biblical prophets. Walker, a man of the early nineteenth century, drew from the failure of the white establishment, particularly the white Christian establishment, fuel for his prophetic passion. While Walker's anger at the situation of institutional oppression and degradation of slavery is palpable and explicit, it is not a hatred for hatred's sake. Burrow compares Walker to Malcolm X, stating that `he was less concerned about expressing hatred for whites than admonishing his people to love and regard one another with respect. Any hatred that Walker might have had for whites was in response to white hatred for and enslavement of his people.' Walker charged his people to resist with all their power the chains of their oppressors, seeing passive acceptance of their situation as something warranting the oppression that they get in return. Walker's words are very tough in this regard, stating his `Appeal' even that those who do not fight and resist `ought to be kept...in slavery, or in chain, to be butchered by his cruel enemies.' In a later chapter, Burrow develops Walker's call for black self-determination, including a section directly tying Malcolm X and David Walker together, highlighting twelve major points of similarity between their messages.

Walker's `Appeal' was a major document in the abolitionist/anti-slavery movement. Burrow analyses the `Appeal' for elements of ethical prophecy - it deals with concrete situations and calls for specific actions; the highlight of divine wrath involved in addressing injustice; the anger of Walker himself at the situation. However, like examples of true ethical prophecy, the `Appeal' includes as integral to its message a hope for the future, the call to repentance and correction, and the recognition that the God of compassion holds all people as sacred and worthy of dignity as creatures made in the image of God. `Ethical prophecy must be theocentric,' Burrow states, and this element of God as the centre is made apparent through Walker's deep religious convictions and understanding of the Bible. God's impartiality and recognition the worth of every human being is thoroughly biblical. That human beings belong to God alone, and not any earthly master, is a call both the slaves who passively accept their status as well as to the white community who oppresses.

Ethical prophetic action rarely comes without a cost. Burrow highlights the example of the Grimke sisters, Sarah and Angelina, who gave up their comfortable life in Charleston, South Carolina (indeed, were forbidden from ever returning home), speaking out against the injustice of slavery and the silence of Christian folk, including pastors, even to the point of being ostracized by their adopted Quaker community in the North who, while they were against slavery, still perpetuated racial discrimination in their own worship practices and lifestyles.

Perhaps the most important chapter of Burrow's book, from a practical standpoint, is the chapter on the relevance of ethical prophecy today. `Contemporary ministry is missing a necessary ingredient,' Burrow writes. `Without this ingredient, churches and their members do little more than "play church".' Burrow points out that this element has historically been present in African-American experience, but the call to do justice is often overshadowed by a more comfortable status quo in many congregations and denominations among the white-dominated mainline churches. Burrow agrees with the liberation theological idea that God has a preferential option for the poor, and that to do justice in a prophetically ethical manner, one has to be `unashamedly partisan in favour of the socio-politically least of God's people.' Burrow states that preaching and teaching must not only include, but must emphasise the importance and value of all persons to God, and (in what is perhaps the most dis-comforting parts of the book), calls for well-meaning white persons and black pastors to repent of their sins.

Burrow's writing, while disquieting and challenging, is clear and direct. Good for scholars, students, pastors, and people in the pews, this is the kind of the book that should be read by most.

This book is part of the Mercer Press `Voices of the African Diaspora' series, a publishing project dedicated to preserving a relatively unknown and unstudied history.

He makes some VERY good points in the book.
This has been one of my favorite end time prophecy books for a long time.

This series is exciting and thrilling for readers of all ages. It has a male hero in his early teens that is faced with a lot of decision making and follows his thought process. Fun and tantalizing, it is the Indiana Jones of Fantasy.

Living in Utah I often wonder what basis the Mormon Church has, and have tried multiple times to plow through The Book of Mormon. It is imponderable, but Having Visions gives a plain English translation, an astonishing task, and has made The Book of Mormon accessible to everyone. Whether you are a member or not of the Church, this should be on everyone's shelf who has an interest in American history and the Mormon Church.

This is a must-have to understand five-fold ministry in the eyes of Jesus: Hagin based this book mostly on the visions he received from Jesus in which the Lord taught about the five-fold ministry. (Another Hagin must-read is "I believe in visions"!)

I have a much clear perspective on the offices (and designation) of apostle, prophet, and pastors in present days.

And more than anything else, whatever callings we might have, it must be based on the Word. I feel this is the most profound lesson I have learned by reading this great book.

There is also a story about the warning to Bro. Branham, if you know who he was.

Another Hagin book, "The Ministry Gifts: Thirteen Lessons (Spiritual Growth Series)", lists all the supporting verses in each category. I have found it quite useful.

Grant's new, revised chapters give you an overview of what to expect in: the Rapture, Heaven, the Glorious Appearing, Lord of Lords and King of Kings Jesus Christ, the Millennium, the new Earth after the Millennium. That's when the Earth will be remade and the city of New Jerusalem will descend, God will live on Earth and all sin and death will be eliminated forever! Grant Jeffrey covers it all in as much detail as the Holy Bible offers us, bringing all of the relevant scriptures together in a logical order for the readers' edification and enlightenment. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it for readers wanting to expand their knowledge of Heaven and what is to come in the near future!

This book is geared for those who have suffered -- or are about to suffer losses.

More than discussing angels, the author looks at the Bible's writings on heaven -- how do people live there -- are they with family and friends -- and are they grieving, too? For Christians who have lost a loved one, this book can help.

For those about to die, reading these pages may help them cope with a natural fear of death.

I consider Thomas L. Cossette's "Hebrew Prophecies of the Coming of Paul" one of the essential works for those who are open minded enough to explore into the truth concerning Paul, and are searching for the evidences.
Rev. Glen H. Inlow

I'm finding this book to be greatly helpful in understanding how a word can be understood from the story value of each letter. It seems like many Hebrew words come with a dictionary built in. I'm thankful that it is spiral bound as it would soon fall apart through much use. This is an excellent aid to learning Hebrew.

An unusual view of eschatology comming from an Evangelical, but very well documented and causes the reader to open up and think, study and listen. Profoundly provocative, and revealing.

Wrote originally in the "Valley of the Pines" You are most fortunate if you own this book as I am most fortunate to know this spiritual man on a spiritual plane....