
Prophecy and Discernment
R. W. L. Moberly(Author)
Cambridge University Press
Published on 2. March 2006
Book
Hardback
298 pages
978-0-521-85992-9 (ISBN)
Description
If people claim to speak for God, what enables us to know when to credit or discredit the claim? This book analyses the criteria for discernment of prophetic authenticity in the Old Testament, and for discernment of apostolic authenticity in the New Testament; and also considers their validity and viability in a contemporary context. After explaining the biblical concept of prophetic and apostolic speech on God's behalf, Moberly offers close readings of the biblical text so as to bring to life the distinctive voices, especially those of Jeremiah and St Paul, which speak of critical discernment. He addresses contemporary difficulties with the whole idea that humans might speak for God and analyses the nature of authentic spirituality. Throughout the discussion the premise is that the biblical treatment of discernment illuminates the fundamental human issue of the need to know who may be trusted and why.
Reviews / Votes
'It will provide both biblical specialists and those concerned with contemporary issues with much food for thought.' Church Times 'Moberly has begun some important work here in an ambitious and thought-provoking monograph.' Theology 'This is a remarkable book in many respects. It is worth reading for Moberly's careful and thoughtful exegesis of key passages alone. ... an excellent foray into what may well prove to be a significant area of enquiry.' EcclesiologyMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
637 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-85992-9 (9780521859929)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Dr R. W. L. Moberly is Reader in Theology at the University of Durham. He is author of The Bible, Theology and Faith: A Study of Abraham and Jesus (2000), the fifth volume in the Cambridge Studies in Christian Doctrine series.
Content
Preface; List of abbreviations; 1. What is prophecy, and can it be validated?; 2. Jeremiah: the formulation of criteria for discernment; 3. Micaiah ben Imlah: the costs of authenticity and discernment; 4. Elisha and Balaam: the enabling and disabling of discernment; 5. John: God's incarnate love as the key to discernment; 6. Paul: cruciformity and the discernment of apostolic authenticity; 7. Prophecy and discernment today?; List of references; Index of authors cited; Index of scriptural references; Index of subjects.