Study Religious Studies notes on Origins of Prophecy as a Unique Feature for Secondary. Useful for revision, homework, and exam preparation in Zimbabwe.
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This is the ZIMSEC Religious Studies notes. It is a free notes for revision.
Topic 1 Prophecy And A Prophet In Judaism.
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Discussion † Notes And Application Lessons.
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Origins Of Prophecy As A Unique Feature.
- This view asserts that prophecy was unique / a non borrowed feature in Israel. - The Bible as the primary source doesn't provide homogeneous information so as to allow us to make a smooth reconstruction of this phenomenon.
- In pointing out to the same phenomenon the Bible isn't uniform at all, in 2nd book of Samuel the term prophet is used interchangeably with the term seer on Gad. 2 Samuel $24{ }^{11}$.
- In that very same book Nathan has been referred as a prophet and not a Seer. 2 Samuel $7{ }^{\mathbf{2}}$.
- Aside, In 1st Samuel 9:9, t,he two terms have been differentiated to be two different offices.
- Seer ship being an early stage of prophecy.
- However it is important to note that although prophecy is said to be unique there is also a debate between when did this phenomenon began and with who.
- This further drives us into another debate hence a controversy within a controversy is sparked.
- There are at least 5 theories which asserts that prophecy was unique to Israel.
1. Chronological Theory.
- This theory states that prophecy in Israel began with Abraham.
- This is chiefly because Abraham possessed prophetic features :
- because he interceded for Abimelech in Genesis 20:7.
- Abimelech was told to plead with Abraham the prophet.
- As per this theory Israel is not known when exactly it became a nation
- Scholars suggested that Israelite nation should be trussed back to the father of Israel ie Abraham who was promised a nation and land.
- This theory becomes true when one is to base with Hayes' definition of a prophet "one who speaks or acts on behalf of a deity", as what Abraham did.
- Abraham is the first prophet of Israel. - However this same theory has loopholes for instance other scholars suggest that Abraham was not an Israelite because Israel became a national after his death. - Furthermore Abraham had no Israelite audience, he only had Sarah his wife and their child Isaac, thus this theory does not hold much water as far as the origins of prophecy is concerned hence driving us to other theories.
- The main argument is when did Israel became a nation.
- According to some scholars Samuel is the first prophet in Israel anyone else who predates Samuel was a prophet before the …