Interpretation Of The New Testament Prophets By David Deere

To be a prophet, it requires two things from my understanding of the passage: to be raised up by God and to speak His words with complete accuracy. One of the markers from this passage is that a false prophet is if it does not take place or come true. He claims that he doesn’t believe this is “the correct interpretation of the text, nor do I believe the New Testament teaches that all New Testament prophets would be 100 percent accurate in their noncanonical prophecies.” Deere instead appeals to Wayne Grudem’s definition of prophecy. Grudem proposes a fresh definition for New Testament prophecy that is define as, “telling something that God has spontaneously brought to mind.” I don’t believe that the people of the new testament would affirm

Deere doesn’t practice this view nor do his accounts. In this sense it should be limited to the individual. However, he is advocating for us to use our prophetic understanding in the lives of others just as the prophets and apostles did. This leads me to question what right do we have to control another believer’s life? Deere even states “If, however, we claim to be hearing from the Lord, and yet everywhere we go there is strife, dissension, and envy among believers, then it calls into question whether we are really hearing the voice of God.” The problem with this view of authority is that it is false and not even possible to

To suggest this again weakens the sufficiency of Scripture. Also, when Jesus spoke to people in the Bible it was in a culture with cultural implications. The authority of the message is true because God is the truth. Not all Scripture is intended for all people in the same way and no passage holds more authority than any other part of Scripture. It cannot be added to the canon because the canon is closed.
“Personal guidance is never given to us to control someone else.” What does that mean? If God doesn’t want us to use his revelation to speak to others than why did He give it? Scripture is to be shared and discussed with other people yet Deere’s view limits revelation. His rules for usage and interpretation could be considered a limiting of a prophetic word.
Deere’s view of authority can lead to a manipulation or control of people. A person could in theory “prophesy” to others in such a way that they control every aspect of one’s relationship with each other and God. Now, I know Deere gives guidelines to watch out for this but is that enough to stop the wickedness of man from misuse. I do not believe so because throughout history man has used God’s revelation for his own personal gain.