prognostication vs. prophetic predictions
may contain prediction, but usually secondary
provisional prophecy
comfort prophecy
apocalyptic (end of the world, tours of Heaven)
Social Reform
political activism vs. prophetic social reform
Relgious Reform
Usually counter to mainstream socialized religion
Psychological states of prophecy
Dissociation
Ecstasy
out of body experiences
Tours of Heaven/Hell
common in later apocalyptic literature
Possession
Necromancy / mediumship / channeling
sometimes combined with ecstasy
Santeria ?
not always total possession
Automatic writing
no examples in biblical prophets (except possibly "Witch" of Endor)
Parasensory experience
visions
voices
other sensory experiences (pain etc.) schizophrenia
common in Bible
Enthusiasm
Pentecostal prophecy
speaking in tongues
interpretation of tongues
Ouija boards
ESP
Probably normal prophetic state for classical prophets
Divination (pseudo random phenomena require specialized interpretation)
casting lots (Jonah)
entrail reading
astrology
Urim & Thummim
dreams
tarot cards
interpretation may be combined with enthusiasm
common in Bible
Social setting/requirements for Prophecy
Theological requirements
Believe in God
Believe that God is willing and able to speak today
Believe that God is willing to speak through people we know (e.g. screw-ups like us)
Micaiah vs. the court prophets, Jeremiah vs. Hananiah et al.
Prophecy and sanity
Our mainstream society doesn't have a category of sane prophet
Exceptions among Pentecostals / Charismatics, Santeria, etc.
Shamanistic societies
Those showing psychological characteristics brought under wing of experienced shaman
Must learn to control the spirits or they will make you insane
Our society prefers to medicate the problem away
Possible parallel in Hebrew Bible to Saul
Hebrew Bible has the "schools of the prophets" which may have served this training purpose
Connection between intermediary activity and corporate music / dancing
Message in Hebrew Bible
In former prophets (Judges, Samuel-Kings), often specific to military / political situation
Classical prophets
Religious: contra idolatry or syncretism
Hosea, Jeremiah, Ezekiel
Social: contra social inequity & abuse of poor by rich
Amos, some of Isaiah
Apocalyptic
Centers on future end of the world / Heaven & Hell
Question of which are based on (ecstatic) visions, and which are literary productions
Jeremiah
Historical background
Assyrian conquest
Destruction of north (Samaria = Israel) (722/721)
Survival of south (Jerusalem = Judah) against all odds
Viewed as YHWH's intervention
Decline of the Assyrian empire, rise of Babylon
Josiah's reform
Discovery of Deuteronomy in the temple during repairs
God offers temporary reprieve (until Josiah's death)
Babylonian Conquest
Fall of Jerusalem (587/586)
Destruction of the Temple
Babylonian Captivity
Assassination of Gedaliah
Jeremiah taken with people fleeing to Egypt
Prophetic conflict
Jeremiah in conflict with religious, political and prophetic authorities
Not active during reign of Josiah
People expected that God would save Jerusalem just as he had in the 8th c.