nathanielkidd on 17 Feb 2009 06:49
Here’s an interesting question we’ve been throwing around, and I’d love some other opinions on it. What is the difference between a saint and a prophet? Or (to give the question a more personal spin) which would you rather be?
I asked Sarah the latter question, and she replied that she would rather be a saint. “A saint is something that other people call you,” she said, “whereas a prophet a label a person usually gives themselves.” I found this incredibly insightful.
To summarize my own reflections on the subject, the saint is God’s friend, the prophet God’s mouthpiece. The saint is like a candle, a gentle light to the world; the prophet a torch, come to incinerate the established order.
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| A guy with a beard ponders stuff. |
I found myself agreeing with Sarah’s choice. The prophet may be higher profile, but I would rather be a saint.
There are plenty of people today who want to set the established order on fire, and not enough who are satisfied being simple light and heat to the world. In the pressure to be successful, to be visible, to be accepted, a lot of people champion some strange things. I’m not sure if in the spotlight of prophecy I could accurately discern between my voice and God’s voice.
I suppose the true spirit of prophecy is utterly irresistible. But every prophet should be a saint first. If the gentle glow of friendship with God is not hidden within the incendiary momentum of prophecy, then what is the difference between prophecy and terrorism?
Nathaniel,
Interesting thoughts. I think prophets, however, are almost always anointed. They have no choice regarding being God's mouthpiece. Some of the prophets whose stories are told in scripture are given no choice - like Jonah. Perhaps if a prophet wants to be prophetic they have already failed in being God's mouthpiece.
I do very much agree with the idea that our first hope needs to be that we will be saints. As we become friends of God I hope that he will lead us into whatever other rolls he has for us, weather that be prophet, priest, or hermit.
Cheers,
Andrew
I must say that Jonah was the first person that came to my mind when reading this blog. He is an obvious example of someone who did not want to listen to God's direction and do what he was prompted to do. I tend to think being a prophet is not really something a person would choose as what one is expected to do is usually resisted by the receiver(s). It seems prophets are usually tasked with being the conduit of an unwanted message— pot stirrers. I think prophets are also lonely. Unfortunately (in modern times especially) it seems there are those who identify themselves as prophets who are more than just a little crazy— like the man who was so fanatical that came to CC and preached hellfire and brimstone on the street corner. I've often wondered if the prophets in the Bible weren't more than a little weird—- even for those times and places. I don't know what I would have done if I had been Namaan and been told to go dip myself in the filthy river in order to be healed of my leprosy. I think I would have thought the speaker was crazy.
So, as far as choosing between prophet and saint it is hard to say. I think being a saint would require 24 hour per day of yielding one's every thought and action to God's direction. A daunting task— especially when one is not sure whether it is God's voice or direction! Maybe this is one of the most important reasons one needs to be a part of a community of believers. It is too easy to get off track. But then again, communities can get off track as well. Mother Teresa really suffered in the choice she made for her life it seems. But it does seem saints are more loved— even if sainthood is not bestowed until after they are gone!
Gpa Tebbe really enjoyed this blog. He commented on it today when I talked to him on the phone.
What immediately came to my mind was Dr. Scott Peck, whose writings I have VERY much admired and grown from. However, when his sexual indiscretions came to light, he said "Hey, I'm a prophet, I never claimed to be a saint." He paid the price, ultimately being abandoned by his wife and adult children (but he did get a new wife who buried him).
I agree that sainthood is the basis for all the other functions and gifts. That what the Methodists meant when they asked in their groups with "Are you going on to perfection?"
I would prefer to be a prophet. But then again, that's what "Sibeal" means in the first place.
Plus it's far more attainable. Musicians are prophets. It's way harder to be a Saint than a musician. The Vatican doesn't force you to go through a long validation process post-mortem to call you a musician.
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Neither of them are better because A saint is a faithful offender againts Satan mean while a prophet is a faithful defender. Without a saint the church would not grow bigger and without a prophet Satan would enter the church and turn it to a satanic church. We need both because a prophet shares its prophetic gift to the church given by Jesus Christ mean while a saint helps expand the church to grow bigger and bigger by the name of Jesus Christ. But who leads the church? Prophet or saint? The answer is very difficult. I don't know who God chooses but in my opinion a Prophet would be the leader, because think about it if, you don't have a saint the church can't grow bigger mean while without a prophet Satan would enter the church. A prophet shares its prophetic gift so Satan could be locked. I would rather protect the church than preach about Satan because if Satan enters the church then people would be try to preach the word of Satan instead of the word of God which is being deceived. I'd rather not preach than preach things related to Satan agin I say because I would be a saint of Satan. So if the church wouldn't grow any bigger a prophet can still share its prophetic gift with someone. So Yeah I would rather be a prophet but it's God who chooses so if God sends me a prophetic gift then all share it with the church
Although I rather be a both I find myself as a saint. People it is not you who chooses but God does. A saint is God's faithful one meanwhile a prophet is God's Inspired wise teacher. If God sends you a message and you are a prophet but want to be saint then you are acting in rebellion againts God. So it's God choice. God does not choose saints it is saints who choose to be saints because God chose them to be saints. i am not talking of Catholic saints but True saints. People please understand that both saints and prophets would be both kings and priest. A prophet is Gods professional inspired speaker and a saint is gods freind.
Th church is looking right now for prophets, when they also need saints. A prophet is God's inspired teacher whom God counts on to add new concepects Of God, such as prophesying biblical events that must take place in the future and also new teachings God adds to the church. A saint means someone who is holy, and righteous. The church in this days needs to learn more about God but the church needs more hollyness there is so much deception in this days, it is more important to keep the church holy, than teach new things to the church. We need the church to be full of perfect people in God's sight which worship him properly, than adding new features the church need to learn about God. I find myself as a saint but that does not make a prophet worst. Because if it wasn't for Moses God would not be known well and, then no one would believe on what Prophet Isaiah said, then no one would believe on what prophet Daniel said, then no one would believe on Jesus Christ our lord because without people knowing God Jehovah as their God then people wouldn't be live that Jesus Christ was and is and is to come as the lord and savior of the world As the messiah because they woulnt know who a messiah was since no one would be believers of God.
God Doesnt Exist
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