Author Topic: Definition of "Prophet"  (Read 774 times)

Chris

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Definition of "Prophet"
« on: March 10, 2013, 03:42:06 PM »
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This subject briefly came up several months ago here. I've created this topic not to argue for the inclusion or exclusion for specific heroes under the identifier of prophet, rather, I think we should discuss the definition and whether it should be redefined, because right now, I think the application of the definition is consistent.

According to the REG, the definition of "prophet" is as follows: "A Prophet is any Hero or Evil Character that the Bible refers to as a prophet or who foretold the future by supernatural revelation." I believe that this definition is relatively loose. After all, lots of people in the Bible foretold the future by supernatural revelation. If this is the definition, then I think characters like Gideon should be included under it, since technically, that's what they did. Alternatively, in the Gideon thread, Prof A mentioned a possible system where the only characters who would fall under the definition of "prophet" are those who did it full-time (or possibly were specifically known as being prophets).

Thoughts? Should the definition be tweaked?

Offline Professoralstad

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Re: Definition of "Prophet"
« Reply #1 on: March 11, 2013, 10:12:35 AM »
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Like I said in the other thread, the proverbial cat is out of the proverbial bag to make it a more restrictive definition (with Aaron, Miriam and Saul). I don't have a preference for or against Gideon, but I don't see a particularly good reason why he shouldn't get that identifier given that statement. There are about 50 good reasons why his reprint shouldn't be Gold/Green, but whether or not he is a prophet shouldn't make a big difference.
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Offline YourMathTeacher

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Re: Definition of "Prophet"
« Reply #2 on: March 11, 2013, 12:51:20 PM »
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As I eluded to in that thread, I think we need to make the definition more restrictive, rather than less restrictive. I think a "Prophet" should be someone whose primary purpose (Biblically) was prophesying, rather than someone who was part of a single act of Divine Intervention.

If we do stick with a more open-ended definition, then I would argue (again) that Jonathan (and perhaps others if we look hard enough) should also be a prophet, since his scenario while climbing the rocks to the Philistine garrison is similar to the Gideon scenario presented in the original thread.
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Offline STAMP

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Re: Definition of "Prophet"
« Reply #3 on: March 11, 2013, 01:52:44 PM »
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I agree that a line should be drawn in the sand.

If we go with a more restrictive definition based on vocation, then I would like to add to the list of OT full-time jobholders.  Every NT character who is a follower of Christ fits the job description.

If we go with a less restrictive definition, then I would allow only those characters who have Biblical evidence of actually delivering a prophecy.
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Re: Definition of "Prophet"
« Reply #4 on: March 11, 2013, 01:57:59 PM »
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As I eluded to in that thread, I think we need to make the definition more restrictive, rather than less restrictive. I think a "Prophet" should be someone whose primary purpose (Biblically) was prophesying, rather than someone who was part of a single act of Divine Intervention.

If we do stick with a more open-ended definition, then I would argue (again) that Jonathan (and perhaps others if we look hard enough) should also be a prophet, since his scenario while climbing the rocks to the Philistine garrison is similar to the Gideon scenario presented in the original thread.

I agree that it would be good if we could, but since King Saul, Aaron, Miriam, and likely a few others have been given identifiers on the card that say they are prophets. I would hate to be the judge that has to tell someone that, no, Miriam can't use Hidden Treasures even though "Prophetess" is right there on the identifier line. It's simply an issue that has no good answer. So I think as much as it bugs me, we have no good, consistent option than to keep the definition the same as it is currently. The only times a non-green Prophet makes a difference nowadays is if Arioch blocks, or Simeon wants to band, so as long as neither of those situations are broken (which I don't think they can be--Simeon bands that are currently broken wouldn't be affected by a more restrictive definition unless we specified that only humans could be prophets) then I don't really think it matters whether or not Gideon or Jonathan are prophets, so if there is a good argument, then we might as well.
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