Is There a Lack of Fulfillment in God’s Prophecies? Part 1

When it comes to the topic of prophecy, there are discussions regarding the coherence and reliability that arises forth from the prophecies that appears to have been unfulfilled.  Some will go on to say that these prophecies that are not fulfilled are prophecies that have contingencies.  Hence, how does one address this?  How do we communicate this to those who see this topic as a bit cumbersome and confusing?

The discussion over the matter of contingency in prophetic discourse requires careful exegesis and astute discussions with other fellow born-again believers that are committed to biblical inerrancy (Barrick, 1).  When this subject of prophecy is surfaced in our theological discussions, one is bound to come across these two terms: hortatory (“forthtelling”) discourse and predictive (“foretelling”).  Both elements intend to glorify God and intend to bring about change to the recipient being addressed.  For example, the Old Testament prophets who preached and prophesied with the intention of change regarding the recipient’s behavior had messages that revealed hortatory and predictive elements (Barrick, 1).

But the point of contention precipitates when one suggests that predictive discourse is replaced with this term: “often (usually) dynamic prophecy” (Barrick, 1).  And just as a footnote—I believe a point of clarification is key and will show where the tide breaks.  Dynamic means change.  So what is the problem with this term being attached to predictive discourse?  The theological presupposition behind this scheme is that the “often (usually) dynamic prophecy” is preferred in order to bring about the desired results for the recipients being addressed.  Some believe that the scheme mentioned above, is the best approach to answer the confusion regarding the apparent lack of fulfillment concerning prophecy.  Is this approach which some deem to have explanatory powers, answer the questions of skeptics?  Is it grounded in Scripture?

For the sake clarity and of God’s prophecies, I believe that the apparent lack of fulfillment has more to do with the hortatory elements, not the predictive elements.  Although a hortatory element accompanies a prophecy, it does not rule out that the prophecy will come to pass.  When God makes a promise, it will come to pass.  Nothing can stop an omnipotent God from doing what He desires.

Please stay tune for the next installment as I will address how one should avoid the conjectures made by some in the area of prophecy.

Bibliography

William D., Barrick. “Response to Robert B. Chisholm, “Making Sense of Prophecy Recognizing the Presence of Contingency’”.” ETS Far West Region Annual Meeting (April 20, 2007): 1-8.